CIDDL is Going to Baltimore to Talk about AI!
Authors: Yerin Seung; info@ciddl.org
CIDDL is preparing to head to the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)'s Annual Convention in Baltimore from March 12th to 15th. This convention provides special education personnel (e.g., teachers, administrators, and related service providers) professional development through interactive sessions grounded in application to students with disabilities. It is a fantastic event that brings together special education professionals to “learn, share, grow, and connect.” This year, CEC highlights “AI & Education” as the program chairs strand, making artificial intelligence (AI) a central theme throughout the conference. The CIDDL team is bringing research and practice with technology and innovation to the conference through demonstrations in the Tech Playground, sessions focusing on technology integration and AI, and keynotes by CIDDL PIs, Dr. James Basham, and Dr. Trey Vasquez. Be sure to check out these sessions to explore how AI is shaping the future of special education and join the conversation on AI in education. Below, we will share the various sessions hosted by the CIDDL team. RSVP to them through our community and on the convention’s Whova app!
Presentation Sessions: Bring Artificial Intelligence to Your Education Setting
- Workshop 4: Harnessing AI in Special Education: A Hands-On Workshop (March 12, 2025, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm in 318)
Artificial intelligence (AI) is envisioned to transform society, including how we educate students with disabilities. This half-day session offers a unique opportunity to learn and gain hands-on experience with AI from team members of a leading national center focused on supporting technology’s use and adoption in special education. The workshop will teach you how AI will impact curriculum, instruction, teaching, learning, and assessment. It will also delve into the ethical considerations of AI integration, particularly concerning equitable support for students with disabilities. Most importantly, you will gain practical experience with tools and resources that you can immediately apply in your professional setting. Presented by: Team Members from the Center for Innovation, Design, and Digital Learning (CIDDL)
- Keynote Panel: Envisioning Tomorrow for All Learners: AI Revolutionizing Education (March 13, 2025, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm in Expo Hall - Main Stage)
This engaging keynote panel discussion will demystify the world of AI and showcase its practical applications in special education. Learn about the history of AI and discover how AI-powered tools enhance teaching, learning, and assessment for students with disabilities. Learn about the latest research on AI in special education and hear real-world examples of how AI is transforming classrooms and improving student outcomes. Join us for a thought-provoking conversation about the future of AI in special education and how we can harness its power to create more effective learning environments.
- AI Guidance in K-12: What Do States and Districts Say About Using AI? (March 14, 2025 11:45 am - 12:45 pm in 309)
Come and explore state and district policies for the use of AI. This session will discuss state and district-level AI guidance on how teachers and students with special needs can leverage AI in class. Resources will be shared to support teachers and administrators in using AI.
- Empowering Minds: How AI Revolutionizes Education for All Learners (March 14, 2025, 2:15 pm – 3:15 pm in 307)
Artificial Intelligence (AI) revolutionizes education by ushering in enhanced efficiency and adaptability. This presentation will focus on the need for innovations in curriculum development, instruction, and assessment and ethical considerations of AI integration, particularly concerning equitable support for students of diverse needs, including those with disabilities.
Learn About AI at Our Booth: Ask the AI Expert
Are you eager to dive deeper into AI and its application in education? Are you curious about how AI can be tailored to your unique educational setting or interested in seeing cutting-edge AI tools in action? CIDDL invites you to our "Ask the AI Expert" booth for a personalized experience. It's a fantastic opportunity to engage directly with AI experts, ask questions, and gain insights into integrating AI into your teaching or administrative practices. Plus, we've got some must-have swag for all tech enthusiasts. Don't miss this chance to connect with like-minded individuals and take your first step toward transforming education with AI. We're excited to meet you at our booth!
Come Play in the Tech Playground!
In Tech Playground, we offer Technology Blitzes exploring how to use AI and other cutting-edge technologies in the educational setting. These 15-minute blitzes will focus on technology tools and tips you can implement in your classrooms tomorrow. These will be short presentations with step-by-step explanations and experiences where attendees will learn examples of how technology is implemented. We will highlight technology integration in modern society, including but not limited to AI. Check out these innovative technologies and learn to bring them to your classrooms!
| Wednesday, March 12, 2025 | ||
| Title | Time | Presenter |
| Using Text-to-Speech and Speech-to-Text Tools to Support Reading and Writing skills | 1:15 pm - 1:30 pm | Dr. Amanda Connelly & Jane Doyle |
| Math Tutor (AI for Mathematics Literacy) | 1:45 pm - 2:00 pm | Drs. Mikyung Shin & Jiyeon Park |
| iKnow: Social Emotional Tool + AI | 2:15 pm - 2:30 pm | Dr. Amber Rowland |
| CoIEP: AI system for IEP development | 2:45 pm - 3:00 pm | Drs. Ling Zhang, Haidee Jackson & Sohyun Yang |
| AI Writing | 3:15 pm - 3:30 pm | Samantha Goldman |
| NoteBookLM for Guided Notes and UDL Access | 3:45 pm - 4:00 pm | Dr. Sarah Howorth |
| How to Choose the Best Chatbot for the Task: CoPilot, Poe, ChatGPT4o, Consensus, Custombots and More | 4:15 pm - 4:30 pm | Dr. Maggie Mosher |
| Thursday, March 13, 2025 | ||
| Title | Time | Presenter |
| AI for Task Analysis | 8:15 am - 8:30 am | Yerin Seung |
| Assessment & Assignment for AI Integrated Courses | 8:45 am - 9:00 am | Taehyun Kim |
| Differentiating with Technology | 9:15 am - 9:30 am | Dr. Sara Heintzelman |
| VR in the Classroom | 9:45 am - 10:00 am | Dr. Adam Carreon |
| Tips for Integrating AI into the UDL Framework | 10:15 am - 10:30 am | Dr. Sean Smith |
| AI with Paraprofessionals | 10:45 am - 11:00 am | Dr. Katie Tuck |
| Rethinking Education and Assessment: Improving Knowledge Analysis and Application with AI | 11:15 am - 11:30 am | Dr. Maggie Mosher |
| AI Caregiver Communication | 11:45 am - 12:00 pm | Dr. Katie Tuck |
| Notetaking in Google Chrome with Screencast | 12:15 pm - 12:30 pm | Jennifer Carr & Meaghan Tracy |
| Excellent Low Incidence AT Choice Board | 12:45 pm - 1:00 pm | Kelly Kapalka & Allison Schmidt |
| Technology-Based Writing Intervention Package (WEGO for Students) | 1:15 pm - 1:30 pm | Drs. Anya Evmenova & Kelley Regan |
| Technology-Based Writing Intervention Package (WEGO for Teachers) | 1:45 pm - 2:00 pm | Drs. Anya Evmenova & Kelley Regan |
| Keenious Researcher (AI for Writing and Research) | 2:15 pm - 2:30 pm | Dr. Krystle Merry |
| Word Tune (AI for Writing and Grammar) | 2:45 pm - 3:00 pm | Dr. Krystle Merry |
| Blob Opera (Music Tech for Students) | 3:15 pm - 3:30 pm | Dr. Krystle Merry |
| NumberShire | 3:45 pm - 4:00 pm | Drs. Sam Choo, Reagan Mergen, Jechun An, & Nancy Nelson |
| Friday, March 14, 2025 | ||
| Title | Time | Presenter |
| Microsoft Reading Coach | 8:15 am - 8:30 am | Taehyun Kim |
| GenAI Prompt Library for Educators | 8:45 am - 9:00 am | Yerin Seung |
| NoteBookLM for Guided Notes and UDL Access | 9:15 am - 9:30 am | Dr. Sarah Howorth |
| Magic School: A Suite of AI-Powered Tools Assisting in a Variety of Teaching Tasks | 9:45 am - 10:00 am | Dr. Ruby Owiny |
| CIDDL Academy | 10:15 am - 10:30 am | Dr. Angelica Fulchini Scruggs |
| AI in Education | 10:45 am - 11:00 am | Dr. James Basham |
| AI for Administrators | 11:15 am - 11:30 am | Dr. Matt Marino |
| AI: Ethical Considerations and Challenges | 11:45 am - 12:00 pm | Dr. Trey Vasquez |
| Canva Accessibility Tips (Creating Accessible Content) | 12:15 pm - 12:30 pm | Dr. Krystle Merry |
| Scite.ai Research Assistant (AI for Writing and Research) | 12:45 pm - 1:00 pm | Dr. Krystle Merry |
Are You Joining Us?
Will you be at CEC? Are you presenting on a topic related to AI? Are you excited to stop by our booths? Tell us about your convention plans in our community. See you soon in Baltimore!