MPTCA 2025

Expand your students curiosity about social studies as they become historians, geographers, and economists in their own right. Students learn to ask their own questions when they see an artifact or photograph the same as professionals would! Working from these questions, they then begin to put their investigative skills into action through the use of a unique Social Studies Toolbox created by Dominic. The Toolbox can be scanned into a smartphone and includes 10 elements designed to help students find answers to their questions. Each element has its own video to explain how it can be used. Students learn to use social networks, databases and statistics, interviews, interactive panoramas, surveys, recent and historical newspapers, maps, photographs, paintings, drawings and trends on the Internet for their research. This workshop shows you an effective and innovative way to support students as they explore inquiry-based learning.

Session Objectives:
1. Educators will learn to foster student-led questioning and research using the Social Studies Toolbox.
2. Educators will guide students in using diverse tools like social networks, databases, and interviews for their inquiries.
3. Educators will engage students by encouraging them to think like historians, geographers, and economists with interactive resources.

Up all night worrying about how you are going to create amazing instructional activities for the new Alberta curriculum? Feeling overwhelmed by outcomes and objectives? Put those bothersome worries to bed for good by exploring the power of Computational Thinking (CT) and Scratch! Come see why the Scratch visual block coding language is a PERFECT FIT for cross-curricular instruction infused with Computational Thinking and Computer Science (CS). This session will walk you through simple activities that operationalize CS objectives with cross-curricular outcomes from the NEW Alberta Programs of Study. Use a CT (B.O.S.S.) framework to add a new layer of community building, engagement and fun to your cross-curricular instructional design with Computational Thinking and coding in Scratch!

Session Objectives:
1. Implementing new Computer Science curricular objectives across the curriculum
2. Operationalizing Computational Thinking & Computer Science outcomes across the curriculum
3. Introduction to programming in Scratch

Ready to elevate your teaching game with Google Slides? This session will equip you with the skills to create engaging and interactive daily lesson plans.

Key Takeaways:

Basic Skills Mastery: Learn the fundamentals of Google Slides, including template usage, multimedia integration, and animation techniques.
Advanced Techniques (Time Permitting): Explore more advanced features, such as building daily lesson templates, interactive activities, and collaborative learning tools.

Session Highlights:
Template Treasures: Discover pre-designed templates to jumpstart your lesson plan creation.
Multimedia Magic: Integrate GIFs, videos, and hyperlinks to enhance student engagement.
Animation Artistry: Master slide animations to create visually captivating presentations.
Interactive Learning: Explore interactive activities like polls, quizzes, and open-ended questions.
Collaborative Creations: Learn how to leverage Google Slides' collaborative features for group projects.
Hands-On Workshop: Practice your new skills with a guided activity and create your daily lesson plan template.
By the end of this session, you'll be equipped to design engaging and interactive daily lesson plans, enhance student learning, and create a more dynamic classroom environment.
By the end of this session, you'll be equipped to design engaging and interactive daily lesson plans, enhance student learning, and create a more dynamic classroom environment.

Session Objectives:
1. Learn the basics of google Slides
2. How to use Slides with students
3. How to use Google slides to create your lesson, unit and day plans

Join us for an engaging, hands-on session designed to equip teachers with the tools and confidence to deliver the new K-6 Computer Science curriculum. In Ctrl+Alt+Teach, you'll explore key curricular outcomes, explore strategies to integrate computational thinking into your classroom and discover a mix of digital and unplugged activities that make computer science concepts accessible for all learners.

Through interactive activities and ready-to-use lesson ideas, you'll leave with practical resources and enhanced confidence whether you're new to coding or a seasoned tech user supporting your journey through these new outcomes.

*Devices are suggested but not required.

Session Objectives:
1. Understand key overarching curricular outcomes.
2. Learn about digital and unplugged supporting activities and lesson ideas.
3. Enhance teacher confidence around computer science.

Feeling overwhelmed by the vast array of Google Apps? This professional development session is your one-stop shop! We'll explore various powerful tools to streamline your workflow, enhance communication, and boost productivity.
Unwrap the Goodies:
Keep: Master the art of capturing fleeting ideas and creating organized to-do lists using Google Keep.
Calendar: Discover advanced scheduling features and integrations to keep yourself and your team on the same page.
Sites: Learn how to create beautiful and informative websites for your classroom, projects, or team collaboration.
Maps: Explore advanced mapping features to visualize data, plan trips, and enhance your presentations.
Forms & Tasks: Take a deeper dive into Forms to craft engaging surveys and assessments, and leverage Tasks for streamlined project management.
Beyond the Basics
This session goes beyond introductory features. We'll explore:
Workflow Integration: Discover how to connect and leverage these apps for maximum efficiency.
Collaboration Power: Unlock the collaborative features within each app to work seamlessly with colleagues and students.
Time-Saving Tips: Learn practical shortcuts and hacks to optimize your time using these Google Apps.
Dig In & Explore: The session will dedicate ample time to hands-on exploration. Explore the apps that interest you most, ask questions, and get comfortable navigating their functionalities.
By the end of this session, you'll be:
Equipped with a broader understanding of Google Apps beyond Docs & Drive. Confident using Keep, Calendar, Sites, Maps, Forms, and Tasks for various tasks. Inspired with ideas to integrate these tools into your professional workflow.
Ready to explore further and unlock the full potential of each application?
Come hungry for knowledge and ready to explore the Google Apps buffet! This session will empower you to discover new tools and optimize your workflow for greater efficiency and collaboration.

Session Objectives:
1. Learn the basic features of the other Google tools

Join this workshop to explore strategies that leverage AI to enhance communication and connection. We will explore the intersection of AI and our social and emotional world, professional considerations for leveraging AI tools for human-centered work, and versatile strategies that work with a variety of AI tools. Participants are encouraged to bring a device, such as a laptop or tablet, for the hands-on activities included in this workshop.

Session Links -
OECD News Ticker
OECSD AI Job Skills
ATA - AI Tools List
Goblin Tools
YouTube - Teachers vs AI: Do Teachers Matter?

Spark interest and engagement by using online simulations to model natural phenomena. Support learners in making sense of complex scientific concepts with visual models. Students develop a deeper sense of how a system works by interacting with variables and observing connections within systems. Best practices for teaching with Gizmos are modeled. Access to Gizmos for K-6 teachers has been provided by Alberta Education. Teachers are encouraged to bring a device.

Session Objectives:
1. Pedagogy
2. Science
3. Technology

Rediscover Google in this refresher session designed to help users integrate new features and enhance existing skills. The session will focus on Google Drive organization and permissions, Google Classroom setup and settings, and Gmail inbox management. Get updated, reinvigorate your skills, and rebuild your confidence.

Session Objectives:
1. Google Drive: Organization, shared drives, and permissions.
2. Google Classroom: Set up, new features, and helpful settings.
3. GMail: Inbox management and helpful workflow.

Come check out several websites, apps and platforms for creating, writing scores, organizing and having fun while learning. Including but not limited to: Flat, Planbook, Bublub, Noteflight, chrome music lab, blob opera, Songlio, Incredibox, dice humdrum. Bring your own device and try these out during the session too!

Session Objectives:
1. Technology uses
2. Teacher efficacy
3. Teaching resources"