This event is open to all Western Canada provinces either virtually or in-person.
REGISTRATION
Registration Deadline: May 1, 2024
Registration for this event is open on the ACSIWC registration platform. If you have not yet registered for an event using our new online platform, please contact acsiwc_info@acsi.org to complete your user setup. Instructions and support will be provided to help you submit your event registration.
Please review our Event Registration Refund Policy prior to completing your registration.
Keynote speakers
Katrina Korchinski is an educator from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. She has taught for 17 years at the Saskatoon Christian School, specializing in English Language Arts and History. Alongside her teaching role, she works as a research assistant at the University of Saskatchewan, focusing on the importance of integrating AI literacy into teacher education programs. Graduating in June 2024 with a Master of Education in Educational Technology and Design, her project, "Preparing for the demands of tomorrow: Using AI to improve grade 12 academic writing," reflects her commitment to innovative teaching practices. Outside of academia, Katrina is married to a physician and is a proud mother (and chauffeur) of two children.
Keynote Session 1—The Rise of GenAI: We Shall Not Fear
When ChatGPT was unveiled to the public on November 30, 2022, waves of panic arose in the educational community. Over a year later, feelings about generative AI remain mixed, and it seems that there are more questions than answers: How should educators approach generative AI? Should it be banned or welcomed in the classroom? What role does it play in the futures of our students? Is it setting students up for failure or for new ways to learn? At what age should students start using AI tools? This session will examine current research on AI literacy, encourage constructive dialogue about appropriate and ethical use of generative AI in the classroom, and provide ways for educators to incorporate it into their practice.
Kenny Bitgood has led the software team for StudyForge since its inception. He has spent his entire career designing and building software to help connect teachers and students. Since studying engineering in university he has cared about where technology can be leveraged to help others, and where it needs to just get out of the way. He currently lives in Langley, B.C. with his beautiful wife and two children.
Keynote Session 2—AI: the Good, the Bad, and the Misunderstood
ChatGPT, Midjourney, and other Generative AI tools are transforming education right in front of our eyes. But they are often misunderstood. In this session, we'll debunk common misconceptions about AI, providing a clear understanding of what it can and can't do. We’ll explore what the actual implications for education are with neither too much hype nor too much doom and gloom. We’ll also explore some practical examples of how you can use AI to make your work easier and how your students can use it to enhance their learning rather than undermine it.