Keynotes & Sessions
Alice Keeler offers professional development that leaves educators inspired and equipped with practical tools to make learning better.
Alice is passionate about student centered classrooms and how to intentionally use technology, and when not to use technology, to improve learning with 21st century skills. Alice’s presentation style is funny and direct about what improves learning. Alice is a firm believer that building relationships and improving feedback are more valuable than putting things online and those are the things that she focuses on through hands on, engaging and interactive sessions that leave educators motivated and with new and practicals skills to implement in the classroom.
Want to bring Alice out to present at your school, district or event?
KEYNOTES
We Teach the Future
We live in a unique moment of time where the relevance of what we teach is easily called into question. The dramatic leaps forward that the digital world is causing makes the job of educators increasingly difficult. As photographer Steve Uzell tells us, if “you don’t really know where you are going… then every road is the wrong road, and any road will get you there.” Educators have to know what outcome they are trying to get and what skills they need to cultivate to get that outcome. In this insightful keynote, Alice Keeler will share her thoughts around the skills and outcomes educators should be paying attention to and what paths we can take to get there. She will also help us understand how to get out of the way at the right time so other meaningful learning can occur.
1 Hour
In the Future,Cars Drive Themselves
The future is now, cars already drive themselves so what does that mean about the possibilities for our students? Technology influences how we live our everyday lives, so it should be a part of the everyday classroom. Students now have technology and Google Apps at their fingertips, let’s embrace these tools and use them in innovative ways to create amazing learning environments for our kids!
1 Hour
Shifting to Student Centered Classrooms: the 7Stages of grief (Not Tech Focused)
In a student centered classroom we remember that “the person doing the work is the person doing the learning.” Technology can help shift from a traditional teacher centered model to a student centered classroom; however, do not expect this to be unicorns and rainbows. Students asking for worksheets, “can’t you just tell me” and other forms of resistance should be expected. Students go through the 7 stages of grief when moved to a student centered model, let’s help them through this to let them really shine!
1 Hour
Let's Ask (Teach Like Google and youtube Exist, How we Shift our Teaching When we have Tech)
It’s a new day and age in our schools. Gone are the days of card catalogs and relying on an encyclopedia as the best source of information. Let’s teach in a way that takes advantage of the many resources at our students’ fingertips! How can we create a learning environment that not only acknowledges all the amazing tech around us, but embraces it and uses it to it’s fullest potential? How can we encourage our students to be better and more excited learners with the use of tech. Google and YouTube exists: let’s capitalize on that to make our classes awesome!
1 Hour
Stop Saying Paperless
Google Classroom is not about making your class digital, it’s about improving interactions with students. New possibilities arise that allow us to teach differently when we embrace what technology can do. We can give faster, and thus more effective, feedback while students are encouraged to engage and interact with each other regarding their assignments. The goal is not simply a paperless classroom, but an empowered learning environment. Let’s go beyond making our classes paperless and make learning better!
30 Minutes
SESSIONS
Teaching with Google Classroom(Beg, Int, Or Adv)
Going paperless does not improve learning, planning for student interactions and feedback make learning better. Google Classroom is the perfect platform for any teacher to get started with Blended Learning quickly and easily. Using digital tools should be easy, fun, and engaging. It’s not digital, it’s different. Learn some techniques for using Google Classroom in new ways to interact with students.
Please indicate if the audience is beginner, intermediate, or advanced users. This session can vary in length depending on time constraints provided. Sessions under 90 minutes will be less interactive. This is a live demonstration rather than prepared slides. Participants join a Google Classroom and are introduced to techniques of teaching with Google Classroom that goes beyond throwing things online.
1 to 6 Hours
Introducing to Coding with Google Apps Script
When using Google Docs have you ever wished it would do _____. Google Apps Script allows you to create custom applications for Google Docs and Drive. This session is for computer users who feel comfortable with copying and pasting. You will be AMAZED at what YOU can do! In this session you will write your own scripts and be able to brag to all your friends that you can code. Technology ability requirements: Knows how to copy and paste.
This session is best if it is at least 90 minutes. This provides participants an opportunity to do a couple of basic coding projects in Google Apps Script to get them started on their coding journey. They will by no means be ninja’s at coding by the end of this session, but should be enough to get them started in the right direction. And it feels cool to say you’ve coded.
This can NOT be done in under 90 minutes.
Drowning in Gmail from Google Clasroom
Is your email inbox crying from all the Google Classroom notifications? It feels tempting to turn them off but then you miss out on interactions with students. Manage your Gmail with filters and inbox settings. Don’t let email get you down, fight back!
This session is for users of Google Classroom. It does not provide an introduction to Google Classroom. This session is NOT for Outlook users. If Gmail has been turned off for G Suite users this session is not recommended.
1 Hour Session
Level Up Your Learning: Badges In Google Sheets
Gamification DOES work. Make learning fun, provide students choices, and gamify a unit by creating a level up badging activity in Google Sheets. Create badges in Google Drawing, import them into Google Sheets, and create a challenge sheet for each student to complete.
This session is for intermediate users of G Suite.
90 minutes at least required for this session.
Teaching Math With G Suite
Teaching math in the 21st century is different, it asks students to be critical thinkers, model their math, critique the reasoning of others, and to analyze. Many of the math problems we have traditionally been using have literally become obsolete as a result of modern technology. This is a gift! This session is an introduction to ways we can use G Suite to make this shift.
For grades 4-12.
Typically an all day workshop. Can be modified to fit a shorter presentation time.
Show Your Steps is Obsolete
The staple in mathematics for a long time has been “show your work” but in the 21st century this is obsolete! Instead we shift to “Show your thinking.” Use Google Slides to demonstrate mathematical reasoning, use the 8 mathematical principles, and include the 4 C’s. Be prepared for some paradigm shifts around what doing a math problem looks like.
For math teachers.
1 Hour
Faster Feedback with Google Classroom
The faster the feedback the more motivated students are. Research shows that high quality feedback is one of the best things we can do to improve learning for students. Go beyond simply giving a grade and help students to be excited about learning. Google Classroom uniquely allows you to provide faster feedback and build deeper relationships with students.
1-2 Hours
The Answer is Always a Spreadsheet
Spreadsheets are one of the most useful tools for educators, yet the most underutilized! Spreadsheets help you be more efficient and improve your ability to react to student needs. Students use spreadsheets to organize and collaborate. Learn some handy spreadsheet tips that will
This session can be for beginners or intermediate users. Please specify.
1-2 Hours
Hacking Google Classroom
If you are currently a Google Classroom user, this session will go beyond the basics to show you how to get the MOST out of Google Classroom. You will learn to use Chrome extensions to enhance your use of Google Classroom and dive into using Add Ons and Scripts to hack what you can do with Google Classroom. This practical, hands on, and fun session is a MUST for anyone who wants to take Google Classroom to the next level. Please note: The best device to have for this session is a laptop. Add ons and chrome extensions do not work on a tablet. Tablet users will learn great tips and tricks but many will need to be practiced later on a computer.
This session allows participants to “wish” Google Classroom did…. and Alice will try to hack a solution to their problem, or tell them they don’t need it.
Using Google Calendar for Lesson Planning
Google Calendar can act as a lesson plan book. It is collaborative, allows for planning, is flexible, and allows teachers to reuse lessons for next year. Be bold and allow others to follow your planning calendar.
Intermediate to Advanced G Suite Users
This hands on workshop allows participants to create a Google Calendar for the purpose
Talk Less and Get More With Google Classroom
Do not jump in the deep end with Google Classroom. Shifting to digital tools is NOT about dumping all of your stuff online, that is hard and confusing to manage. Going digital is not about being paperless, it is a shift in mindset for how you can improve interactions with students. This session assumes you know the bare bones basics of Google Classroom (Try a quick look at 50thingsbook.com)
1 Hour
Creating Google Sites for Portfolios or Others Classroom Purpose
The new Google Sites keeps getting better. Google Sites are excellent for student portfolios, classroom tutorials, or as a platform for students to demonstrate their learning. Create a Google Site and set it up as a student portfolio.
1-2 Hours
Easy Wins with Google Classroom that are Tranformational
PDF’s and activities design for paper do not translate well to going online. It’s not about being digital, it’s about being different. There are many super easy ways to use Google Classroom that are transformational. Using technology does not need to be hard, if you have sent an email you have the technology ability to effectively use Google Classroom.
This presentation is an interactive demonstration of getting started with Google Classroom in ways that are easy yet improve learning.
Participants will join a Google Classroom to try out these techniques from the student perspective.
1 to 2 hours
Ditch that Homework
Do we need homework? Why do we give it? Alice Keeler is the co-author of the book Ditch That Homework. This session goes over some of the reasons to ditch homework and what practical strategies you can do instead!
1 Hour Session
Template Tab: Let's Get On the Same Sheet
G Suite is designed for collaboration. TemplateTab helps all students to
This session is for intermediate users of G Suite. Participants will create a TemplateTab using their laptop. TemplateTab is an add-on for Google Sheets and thus does not work on an iPad or mobile device.
1 Hour Session
Google Classroom Tips & Tricks
Do you want to do more with Google Classroom? Join Alice Keeler for a fun and fast-paced session full of amazing tips, tricks, and hacks to take your Classroom use to the next level. Once Alice gets started, you won’t want her to stop! Don’t miss this inspiring session!
This session is NOT hands on. But it is chock full of tips, tricks and hacks that audience members really enjoy. This session can be as long or as short as you want it, but a minimum of 90 minutes is required. Alice has a Slides presentation that whips through these tips and leaves teachers wanting more!
90 minutes at least required for this session
Interact With Google Slides
I do not use Google Slides to give information but rather to GET information. Design your Google Slides presentation to elicit active student engagement from all students. My students told me the best part of the lesson was the SLIDES! When everyone get’s to share their ideas we all win. Learn how to design a Google Slides in an innovative way. This is a hands on session allowing you to create a sample Google Slides.
This session shows participants how to modify the Slide master. This is not available on iPads or mobile devices.
1 Hour
Put Your Face In It
Relationships with the teacher and feedback are two of the highest rated ways to impact learning. In this session we will use the Chrome extension Webcam record to put your face in Google Classroom, Google Slides, and Google Sites. Do not worry about using looking weird on camera, the kids already think you look weird 🙂 Remember, the more awkward the video still the better!
This session covers using the Chrome extension Webcam record. Participants do not have to install the extension during the session.
1 Hour
Using G Suite to Increase Dok and the 4 C'S
Teaching in the 21st century requires that we reexamine our assignments and update them. Include the 4 C’s: Critical Thinking, Collaboration, Clearly Communicate Ideas, and Creative Thinking. Consider how to increase the Critical Thinking (DOK). How does G Suite help us to teach differently and prepare students for a digital world ahead of them?
Participants utilize a Google Classroom to try out some assignments that add at least one C and discuss how to increase DOK levels.
This all day workshop can be trimmed to 1-2 hours.
Keep It Simple With Google Slides
The person doing the work is the person doing the learning! Keep it simple and increase student engagement by using BLANK Google Slides.
This session is for any level of user of G Suite other than non users. Does assume participant can create Google Slides and share them.
1 Hour
Teaching with G Suite
Using technology is not about being paperless, it should make learning better. Alice shares tips and techniques to use G Suite to teach. This session is participant driven and encourages questions from the audience.
This session is unstructured. It is intended to allow participants to ask questions and Alice tailor the experience to the needs of the audience.
Collaboration Activities with G Suite
Write collaboration super huge at the top of your lesson plans. Collaboration is an earmark of 21st century teaching. Beyond the typical group work, what kinds of collaboration activities can you do? Create different kinds of collaboration activities. Will include Google Classroom activities but applicable for non Google Classroom users also.
Using Twitter for Professional Learning
Technology and teaching moves too fast to go it alone. What is DOK? How do you use technology effectively? What is project based learning? You can not possibly make awesome lesson plans everyday, we need to be a team! Join team Twitter! In this session we will create a professional Twitter, go over tips for how to use Twitter as a professional development tool, and if there is time try out a mini Twitter chat.
1-2 Hours
Upgrade the Worksheet with G Suite
Paper tasks were designed for paper. When moving to digital how can we leverage what digital does to upgrade the worksheet? Include at least one C! Use a spreadsheet, Google Slides, or Forms.
1-2 Hours
Session Based on Alice Keeler Blog Post
Note: Descriptions will vary
Alice is always creating new content. If you have a favorite Alice Keeler blog post that you would like her to demonstrate please copy the link to the post. These are subject to approval.
1 Hour
Go Slow Online Workshops
Support your visit from Alice with a Go Slow Site Licence. Go Slow Online Workshops with Alice Keeler allow participants to go at their own pace and level with individual feedback from Alice as they implement what they are learning in their classrooms.
