LT Conference 2025

How do you feel about students using AI to complete assignments?
Should students use calculators in science and math classes?
How might the use of technology like AI-powered educational tools affect students' critical thinking and problem-solving skills?

These are the types of questions that will be posed and answered in this session of our Old School vs. New School series!

In our first ever "Old School vs. New School" series, participants will be given the space and opportunity to discuss important topics in education. There are no right or wrong answers to these often sticky questions. We want to provide you with a chance to share your thoughts while also learning from others. Great things can come from engaging in discourse with other experts in education!

As an added bonus, the facilitators will be using interactive communication protocols that you can experience and then adapt to your own classroom.

What do we believe about grading? What matters in grading? 

This session is not one about grading policy as being so much about grading philosophy.

Questions we might consider (but you get to choose):

1. How has grading changed over the years, and how do you feel about those changes?

2. When we "grade," what are we grading?

3. When we assign grades, what are we communicating?

4. What is “fair” in grading? 

We will be using a debate protocol to explore ideas surrounding grading.

Join us for a thought-provoking session that delves into the heart of educational methodology debates. As part of our engaging series "Old School vs. New School," this session will pit traditional approaches against modern techniques, focusing on four key areas of contention in today's classrooms.

Potential Debate Topics:
The Role of Rote Memorization:
• How crucial is memorization in the learning process?
• Does it hinder or enhance deeper understanding?
Teaching "The Tricks" vs. Conceptual Understanding:
• What's the value of mnemonic devices, equation triangles, and shortcuts like "keep/change/flip"?
• Do these techniques support or undermine true mathematical thinking?
Whole Group vs. Small Group Instruction:
• Which approach leads to better student engagement and learning outcomes?
• How do we balance efficiency with personalized attention?
Project-Based Learning vs. Direct Instruction:
• Which method better prepares students for real-world challenges?
• How do we measure the effectiveness of each approach?

Target Audience: K-12 teachers, curriculum specialists, instructional coaches, administrators, or anyone passionate about effective teaching strategies.
Format: Interactive debate with audience participation.

Don't miss this opportunity to engage in spirited debate, share your experiences, and hopefully leave with actionable insights to enhance your teaching practice. We'll explore the pros and cons of each approach, backed by current research and real-world examples.