TRETC and the Pittsburgh Technology Council

The Three Rivers Educational Technology Conference is held in Pittsburgh every year in the fall.  This is a one day (and also an evening pre-session) event that I have attended many times over the years.  This years theme was on "Digitizing Personalized Learning".   The location for this event has moved over the years, but this year, it was held in Montour School District's new elementary schools building.  That plural on the schools is not a mistake; this one building is home to two separate schools, divided by the common areas of the cafeteria, the library, the Minecraft Room and soon to come, Lego experience room.  The school is also home to a fairly elaborate Sensory Room that I was able to tour.

This schools concept was interesting.  Most of the classrooms have offer flexible seating and many teachers do not have assigned seating.  Montour School District has a "Director of Academic Achievement and District Innovation" who has been responsible for bringing the Minecraft and Lego rooms to creation.  

The most helpful session from this conference revolved around STEAM Storytime utilizing picture books.  The presenters talked a great deal about having common vocabulary throughout the STEAM lessons, which reinforces the Engineering/Design process for students.