Pre-Con Sessions

701. AI-Powered Innovation in WI Classrooms

10:00–2:00 | Pre-Con Session ($49 additional fee required)

Presented by: Linda Schuerman, Wisconsin Virtual School & Melissa Schiek, Wisconsin eSchool Network

Our Wisconsin educators take center stage in this WDLC-sponsored SLATE Pre-Conference. Building on district strategy and moving to classroom reality, this session spotlights teachers who have leveraged AI to enhance instruction. Join us to learn directly from these innovators as they share the real-world tools and strategies they use to transform their classrooms. Whether this is your third year joining us at the WDLC Pre-Con or your first, you will be sure to have actionable takeaways from the day.
 
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702. The Educator’s AI Toolkit: A Workshop on the Gemini App, Gemini Notebook, and Google Vids

1:00–4:00 | Pre-Con Session ($49 additional fee required)

Presented by: Tammy Lind, CDW

Are you ready to elevate your lesson design and classroom activities? This completely hands- on workshop is designed to equip educators with the tools to harness the power of Google’s latest AI Technologies. We’ll explore how the free, accessible features of the Gemini App, Gemini Notebook (formerly NotebookLM), and Google Vids can save you time, personalize learning opportunities, and unlock new creative possibilities.

What We’ll Cover:

Gemini for Education: Discover how Gemini can serve as your personal “brainstorming partner” for teaching and learning. We’ll focus on practical, actionable strategies you can use throughout your day, ensuring you walk away with content you can implement immediately.

Gemini Notebook: Learn how to turn your existing course materials—PDFs, Google Docs, and slides—into an interactive study partner. We’ll demonstrate how Notebook can summarize complex texts, generate quizzes, and create podcast-style audio and video overviews from your sources, empowering you to build custom learning resources for your students.

Google Vids: Following its major summer update, Vids is more powerful than ever! This section will show you how to create engaging instructional videos for your classroom. We’ll cover everything from generating AI video scripts to using a teleprompter and adding royalty-free media, making it easy to produce high-quality content for flipped lessons or student projects.

This workshop serves as a catalyst for technology adoption, moving educators from basic usage to high-level
proficiency with Google’s AI-driven tools.

(Note: We will also cover any new tool updates released between now and the conference.)

Speaker: Tammy Lind

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703. Canva Unlocked: Discover What’s Possible! Create, Collaborate & Innovate

1:00- 4:00 | Pre-Con Session ($49 additional fee required)

Presented by: Rita Mortenson & Brian Cox, Verona Area School District

Ready to take your Canva skills to the next level? Join me for a fun, creative, hands-on 3-hour Canva workshop designed specifically for educators. We’ll move beyond the basics and explore powerful Canva features, creative workflows, and new ideas that can save you time while helping you create engaging learning experiences and professional-looking materials. Together, we’ll explore Canva’s AI-powered tools, Magic Design, interactive presentations, translation feature, magic layers, video and animation, bulk creation, PDF editing, and more. Throughout the three hours, you’ll have time to try new ideas, create your own projects, ask questions, and network with other educators. Bring your laptops.

Speaker: Rita Mortenson & Brian Cox

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Grades: K-12
Experience Level: Novice
Convention Track: DATL
Audience: GE

704. Escape the Administrative Overload

1:00 - 4:00 | Pre-Con Session ($49 additional fee required)

Presented by: Danielle Bosanec, WASBO, Ryan Krohn, St. Francis School District & Tony Spence, Waterford Graded School District

School and district leaders face unprecedented demands on their time. Every day, communication, meetings, reports, and operational responsibilities compete with the work that matters most‚ leading people and improving student outcomes.

In this interactive, escape room-style experience, your team will tackle authentic district leadership challenges using AI to increase efficiency, reclaim leadership capacity, and improve decision-making‚ all while recognizing where human judgment, relationships, and leadership remain irreplaceable. 

Speakers: Danielle Bosanec, Ryan Krohn & Tony Spence

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705. PAUSE & PROTECT: Preserving Students Mental Health in a Hyper-Connected World

1:00 - 4:00 | Pre-Con Session ($49 additional fee required)

Presented by: Naomi Louis, Innovative Educator

As children experience rising levels of anxiety, comparison culture, and digital overwhelm, families and educators are asking the same question: How much technology is too much—and how do we protect mental health without isolating our kids?

Speaker: Naomi Louis

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