UTC 2025

Join this immersive professional development session on virtual field trips! Learn to craft engaging digital expeditions that foster curiosity and maximize educational impact. This session will guide you through planning, hosting, and managing a successful virtual field trip. Imagine taking your students anywhere—from local tourism spots to historical sites like Germany during the Holocaust, or exploring the arts in NYC. With tools like Google Earth, DISCUS, videos, and articles, you can become the tour guide, curating the best stops for your classes. Get ready for an interactive experience as you explore a short virtual field trip and walk away with the steps to plan your next adventure without any expenses!
X: @lindzb1234
Session Resources

Not long ago, the conversation around AI in education centered on whether it would revolutionize K12 education. That debate is over. AI has already transformed classrooms, reshaping how educators teach, how students learn, and how assessments are conducted. Now, the real question is: How much further will AI take us? This session will begin with a description of how teachers are already using AI in their classrooms at every level. We’ll then examine how state agencies are leveraging AI to rethink standardized testing, how entire school systems are incorporating AI-driven learning tools, and, if the rumors are true, how the College Board may soon require AI-supported project-based learning (PBL) in all AP courses; also how this work will be assessed with AI. We’ll also look ahead, drawing on insights from thought leaders like Sal Khan and other futurists, to discuss where AI in education is headed. Will AI-powered tutors become standard? Will assessments shift entirely to AI-driven models? What are the ethical and pedagogical challenges ahead? Whether you’re already embracing AI in your teaching or just beginning to explore its implications, this session will offer you a chance to consider both the present reality and future possibilities of AI in education.
X: @PeterPaccone
Session Resources

Not long ago, the conversation around AI in education centered on whether it would revolutionize K12 education. That debate is over. AI has already transformed classrooms, reshaping how educators teach, how students learn, and how assessments are conducted. Now, the real question is: How much further will AI take us? This session will begin with a description of how teachers are already using AI in their classrooms at every level. We’ll then examine how state agencies are leveraging AI to rethink standardized testing, how entire school systems are incorporating AI-driven learning tools, and, if the rumors are true, how the College Board may soon require AI-supported project-based learning (PBL) in all AP courses; also how this work will be assessed with AI. We’ll also look ahead, drawing on insights from thought leaders like Sal Khan and other futurists, to discuss where AI in education is headed. Will AI-powered tutors become standard? Will assessments shift entirely to AI-driven models? What are the ethical and pedagogical challenges ahead? Whether you’re already embracing AI in your teaching or just beginning to explore its implications, this session will offer you a chance to consider both the present reality and future possibilities of AI in education.
X: @PeterPaccone
Session Resources

For decades, educators have been encouraged to frequently check for student understanding—a practice proven to enhance learning. However, implementing this effectively has often been time-consuming, inconsistent, and difficult to scale. In this session, participants will explore how AI-powered tools, particularly Class Companion, can revolutionize formative assessment in all ssubjects by addressing key challenges such as time constraints, delayed feedback, scalability, and assessment integrity. While 20–30 AI platforms will be introduced, the focus will be on demonstrating Class Companion live, showcasing its ability to: ✅ Instantly generate high-quality formative assessments (MCQs, SAQs, and LEQs). ✅ Provide real-time scoring and personalized feedback, ensuring immediate student engagement. ✅ Offer instant data insights, allowing educators to identify gaps and adjust instruction effectively. ✅ Support differentiation and equity, including features designed for ELLs and students with disabilities. Attendees will experience Class Companion in action, seeing firsthand how it can be used to check for student understanding after they have watched an explainer video produced by any of the follwoing: iCivics, Annenberg Classroom, Crash Course, PBS Learning videos, Khan Academy, National Science Foundation, NASA, or other subject-specific sources in math, science, English, business, and other disciplines. Additionally, participants will create their own AI-powered formative assessments using a platform of their choosing. By the end of the session, participants will: ✅ Understand how various AI-driven platforms, Class Companion, in particular, can enhance formative assessment and reduce workload. ✅ Gain hands-on experience using AI-driven assessment tools in real time. ✅ Walk away with practical AI strategies they can implement immediately in their classrooms.
X: @PeterPaccone
Session Resources