If you’ve ever wished you had more time to dig deep into the content, to hear multiple perspectives, and to have the tools you need to map out a plan of action for your district, then you’re the target for T+L’s Mini-Academies. These sessions will help you focus your thinking and gather the latest information on some of today’s most complex topics.

Understanding the Essential Elements of One-to-One Learning
TUESDAY, 2:15 PM-4:15 PM, ROOM 2AB
Facilitated by Bruce Dixon, Anytime, Anywhere Learning Foundation (WA); Ron Canuel, Eastern Townships School Board, Canada; Matt Federoff, Vail School District (AZ); Mary Hewett, Plano School District (TX); Lloyd Brown, Henrico County Schools (VA); Tom Hutton, NSBA (VA)

The concept is spreading across the country and T+L is your chance to learn how others have managed the multifaceted components of these initiatives, from establishing a shared community vision and funding to transformational teaching, and the reality of supporting thousands of devices. Facilitated by Bruce Dixon, Founder of Anytime, Anywhere Learning Foundation, you’ll hear stories from educators that explore model policies, the essential strategies for professional development, the transition to digital content, and the wide variety of new devices that are appearing in the marketplace.

Moving from a Good School System to a Great One Using a New Paradigm for Strategic Planning
WEDNESDAY, 9:30 AM-11:30 AM, ROOM 2AB
Sherry Wallingford, Jeff Greengoss, Joe Porto, and Chris Brown, Avoca School District 37 (IL)

Utilizing the concepts in Jim Collins’ book Good to Great, a district is able to revolutionize its strategic planning process, leading to measurable and tangible indicators of greatness. Participants who attend this session will understand a new strategic planning model based on concepts from Good to Great, how to apply this new paradigm to specific issues in their districts, and begin a collaborative process that will lead even high performing districts toward sustained excellence.

Teaching a Generation of Gamers: Exploring How Games & Simulations Impact Learning
WEDNESDAY, 9:30 AM-12:00 NOON, ROOM 605/606
Facilitated by Julie Evans, Project Tomorrow (CA); Bailey Mitchell, Forsyth County Schools (GA); Peggy Sheehy, Ramapo Central School District (NY); Jason Robar, Guru Games Consulting (WA); Virginia Jewell, Clarke County School District (GA); NT Etuk, Tabula Digita (NY); Travis Coffey, I Support Learning (KS)

This in-depth session will offer an international perspective on the growth of educational games and simulations. This session will also explain how some educators are using consumer-based games to meet instructional objectives and will provide an introduction to the expanding field of commercially produced games designed to teach core content like algebra. Discover how teaching students to design video games not only engages them, but develops important skills.

Creating a 21st Century Learning Environment
WEDNESDAY, 9:30 AM-12:00 NOON, ROOM 618/619
Facilitated by David Byer, Apple Inc. (CA), Karen Cator, Apple Inc. (CA), Mark Willis, Georgia School Boards Association (GA)

School board members have a huge responsibility to ensure that students are prepared with 21st century skills. Connect with your colleagues in an engaging discussion that assesses critical strategies for making 21st century innovations highly impactful for all learners, and examines the key implications and policies for local governance.

Web 2.0 for District Leaders
THURSDAY, 11:00 AM-1:00 PM, SHERATON SEATTLE HOTEL, WILLOW A/B
Dan Morris and Susan Brooks Young, Opportunity Group (WA)

It’s a Web 2.0 world, ready or not! What are the issues and challenges that district leaders face? How do we address these concerns and still provide students and teachers access to these 21st century tools. This hands-on session will explore the resources that are available and provide examples of how they can support teaching and learning. We will also examine the social, legal, and ethical issues that district leaders must be prepared to address and support.