1. AI Episode 1: Intro to Artificial Intelligence in Teaching
  2. AI Episode 2: What Does An AI Teaching Assistant Look Like?
  3. AI Episode 3: Implications for Thought Leaders and Policy Developers
  4. Introducing Simulations into Teacher Preparation Programs
  5. Assistive Technology to Support Writing
  6. Enhancing Instruction and Empowering Educators with AI Tools and Technology
  7. So, AI Ruined Your Term Paper Assignment?
  8. Step by Step Use of Chat GPT
  9. CIDDL ChatGPT: Summarizing Text
  10. CIDDL ChatGPT: Solving Multiple Choice Questions
  11. CIDDL ChatGPT: Writing Programs
  12. CIDDL ChatGPT: Solving Word Problems
  13. Artificial Intelligence: Positives and Negatives in the Mathematics Classroom
  14. AI to Support Literacy
  15. Three Free & Easy Tools to Support Tiered Reading in Your Classroom
  16. The Question of Equity in the Age of ChatGPT
  17. CIDDList: 5 AIs You Need to Check Out This Summer!
  18. Mixed Reality Simulations, Personalized Learning, AI, and the Future of Education with Dr. Chris Dede
  19. Foundations for AI and the Future of Teaching and Learning from the US Department of Educational Technology
  20. Apple Enters the AR/VR/MR/XR Scene
  21. ChatGPT, AIs, and the IEP?
  22. There’s An AI for That: A Site Dedicated to Curating AIs
  23. UDL, Design Learning, and Personalized Learning
  24. Embracing the Future: How Teachers Can Harness AI at the Beginning of the School Year
  25. CIDDList: Back-to-School Checklist for Technology in Teacher Preparation Courses
  26. Cracking the Code: Students with Disabilities in the Computer Sciences 
  27. UNESCO Discusses Artificial Intelligence
  28. AI-integrated Apps for Those with Visual Impairments: Camera-Based Identifiers and Readers
  29. Publishers Respond to Generative AI
  30. K-12 Generative AI Readiness Checklist
  31. CIDDL Talks How AI Will Change Special Education at TED
  32. Re-designing and Aligning an Intro to Special Education Class to the UDL Framework through Technology Integration: Minimizing Threats and Distractions
  33. Resources for Learning About AI Going Into 2024
  34. Artificial Intelligence in Education 2023: A Year in Review
  35. Revolutionizing Mathematics Education in K-12 with AI: The Role of ChatGPT
  36. Image Generating AI and Implications for Teacher Preparation
  37. Are We There Yet? AI for Statistical Analysis
  38. Answers to Your AI Questions: A Conversation with Yacine Tazi
  39. Emerging Trends in Special Education Technology: A Doctoral Scholar Symposium
  40. 2024: A Space Odyssey? How AI and Technology of the Present Compares to HAL9000 and the Predictions of 2001: A Space Odyssey
  41. Using ChatGPT for Writing Lesson Plans
  42. Updates in the World of AI
  43. CIDDList: Exploring GPTs Available with ChatGPT Plus
  44. Prompt Engineering for Teachers Using Generative AI: Brainstorming Activities and Resources
  45. Understanding the AI in Your Classroom
  46. Jump on the MagicSchool.ai Bus!
  47. Using AI-Powered Chatbot for Reading Comprehension
  48. The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Cognitive Load
  49. Apple Intelligence: How Apple’s AI for the Rest of Us Will Impact Special Education Personnel Preparation
  50. Can AI Help With Special Education?
  51. Considerations for Syllabi in a Gen AI World
  52. The Integration of AI Chatbots in Education for Preservice Teachers
  53. Conceptualizing AI Literacy: A Critical Skill for the 21st Century
  54. Empowering Education Leaders: A Toolkit for Safe, Ethical, and Equitable AI Integration
  55. CIDDList: A Year in Review
  56. Updates in Artificial Intelligence
  57. Canva vs. Venngage: Choosing the Right Tool for Your Design Needs
  58. Enhancing Students’ Self-Determination Through Student-AI Collaboration
  59. Teaching AI Literacy in K-12 Education Part Two: Recommendations by Grade Levels
  60. A Brief Review of AI Survey Results
  61. Sora and the Art of AI Image Creation
  62. CIDDL Research and Practice Brief: Generative AI Prompt Engineering for Educators
  63. How Technology Supports Student Choice: Finding the ‘Just-Right’ Balance for Engagement and Learning
  64. How AI NPCs Could Transform Social Skills Training for Students with Social Communication Disorders
  65. Navigating the AI State Guidance in Education
  66. CIDDL Webinar Series: State AI Guidance in K-12 Education
  67. Creating Your Personal GPT
  68. CIDDL Office Hours: How to create your own GPTs
  69. Boost Your Finals Prep with Artificial Intelligence
  70. Is Generative AI Reshaping How We Think? Implications for Higher-Order Executive Functions
  71. End-of-Year Reflections on Using AI in the Classroom: Insights and Innovations from CIDDL Office Hours
  72. CIDDL Office Hours: What are you Reading, Watching, and Listening to Learn about AI?
  73. Episode 1: Rethinking Agency in the Age of AI: Gaining an Initial Understanding
  74. Media Debate and AI in Education: Why Learning Theory Matters
  75. What Does Data Tell Us About AI in K-12 Education
  76. CIDDList: 5 Free AI-Powered Tools to Transform Your Teaching
  77. Rethinking Assessment in the Age of Generative AI
  78. WWDC25 Unveiled: Apple’s New Design, AI, and Accessibility for Classrooms
  79. Learning AI at Home: How Families Can Grow Together in the Age of Smart Technologies
  80. Understanding the Value-Based Decision Making Behind Student AI Use
  81. Episode 2: Rethinking Agency in the Age of AI: Why Does Agency Matter in the Age of AI?
  82. Preparing Special Education Personnel for an AI Future (Part One)
  83. Preparing Special Education Personnel for an AI Future: A Back-to-School Guide for Departments (Part Two of Three)
  84. Practical AI Integration for Special Education Teacher Preparation (Part Three)
  85. CIDDL Office Hour: Welcome Back! Start the Semester with CIDDL Updates
  86. AI Literacy in Teacher Preparation
  87. Beyond Performance: AI Integration for Meaningful Learning
  88. CIDDL Office Hours: Practical AI Applications for Educators
  89. Cool Tools for the New Semester! Enrich Your Teaching and Lighten Your Workload!
  90. CIDDL Office Hours: Exploring AI Literacy in Education
  91. Barriers and Enablers of Technology Integration in Special Education: Implications for Teacher Educators
  92. Using AI to Support IEP Development: Insights from CIDDL’s AI Office Hours
  93. The Future of Accessible Classrooms: How AI Is Opening Doors in Special Education
  94. CIDDL Office Hours: Harnessing AI for Grading and Progress Monitoring
  95. Campus AI Exchange: A Growing Hub for Responsible AI in Higher Education
  96. Teaching AI Literacy: Efforts, Challenges, and Emerging Practices
  97. Countdown to TED 2025: Getting Ready Together
  98. Rethinking How Students Interact With AI: Toward Human-Centered Learning
  99. Special Education Teachers’ Use of Generative AI
  100. Future of Teacher Preparation in the Age of AI: CIDDL at TED 2025
  101. Artificial Intelligence and Executive Functioning: Enhancing Attention, Self-Regulation, and Planning in the Classroom
  102. CIDDL Office Hours: Smarter Data Analytics with AI
  103. CIDDL Office Hours: The Future of AI Integration
  104. Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to Support Students with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders (EBD)
  105. Summary of UNESCO AI and the Future of Education
  106. AI Integration and the SAMR Framework: A Practical Lens for Instructional Design
  107. Preparing Faculty for the Digital Era: Exploring the ISTE Faculty Standards
  108. Being a Non-Tech Person in a Tech-Driven World
  109. Summary of OECD Digital Education Outlook 2026
  110. Navigating AI in IEP Development: A Framework for Ethical Practice
  111. Beyond the Tool: Designing Coherent AI Systems in Education
  112. Shaping the Future of Special Education: CIDDL at CEC 2026
  113. Generative AI and IEP Goal Development: Implications for Special Education Teacher Preparation
  114. Students Are Already Using AI: What Educators Should Understand About AI Guidance and Support
  115. Is AI Helping Students Think, or Doing It for Them?
  116. AI and Educational Assessment 101
  117. Advancing Writing Outcomes Through AI: Implications for Special Education Teacher Preparation
  118. What New National Evidence on School Phone Bans Means for Special Education Personnel Preparation 
  119. Cognitive Offloading in the Age of AI: Opportunities, Challenges, and Mechanisms
  120. From Blank Page to Literature Review: How AI Can Support Early-Stage Research and Writing Over the Summer 
  121. What Does the Research Actually Say About AI in K-12 Classrooms?
  122. Beyond AI Adoption: Why Asking Better Questions About Privacy and Security Matters
image of Salt Lake City

Shaping the Future of Special Education: CIDDL at CEC 2026

Authors: Yerin Seung; info@ciddl.org

CIDDL is preparing to head to the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)'s Annual Convention in Salt Lake City from March 11th to 14th. This convention provides special education personnel (e.g., teachers, administrators, and related service providers) with 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.” The CIDDL team is bringing research and practice with technology and innovation to the conference through demonstrations in the Tech Playground and sessions focusing on technology integration and AI. 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

CEC CIDDL Presentations

  • Pre-Convention Workshop 5: Empowering Special Education with AI: A Hands-On Workshop (March 11, 2026, at 9:00 am – 12:00 pm in 151 G)

Artificial intelligence (AI) is envisioned to transform many things across society, including how we educate students with disabilities. This hands-on workshop offers a practical introduction to AI’s role in special education, led by team members of a leading national center focused on supporting technology’s use and adoption in special education. Participants will explore how AI is influencing curriculum design, instruction, learning supports, and assessment practices. The session will also address key ethical considerations, particularly those related to the responsible implementation and provision of meaningful support for students with disabilities. Participants will leave with tools, resources, and real-world strategies that can be applied immediately in their educational setting.

  • Hot Topic | Supporting AI Integration in Your School and Classroom (March 11, 2026, at 2:15 pm – 3:15 pm in Ballroom J)

This session introduces a practical framework for responsible AI integration in education, emphasizing ethical use for all learners, including students with disabilities. Participants will explore how AI is shaping instruction, assessment, and educator workflows, and learn structured approaches to guide its implementation. The presentation will outline a framework, highlighting its core principles and explaining how it supports strategic decision-making in schools. Attendees will examine hands-on tools, including checklists, planning prompts, and evaluation criteria, that can be used immediately to assess and integrate AI tools in ways that enhance learning. Real-world examples from general and special education contexts will illustrate actionable applications. Through guided reflection and discussion, participants will identify opportunities to apply these resources within their own instructional or leadership roles. The session will equip attendees with the knowledge and tools necessary to lead the integration of sustainable AI in all educational settings.

  • Hot Topic | Let’s do From Insight to Action: Using AI to Enhance Teaching and Learning for All Students (March 12, 2026, 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm in Ballroom H) 

This session explores the multifaceted applications of AI in education and special education, highlighting its transformative capabilities while addressing the unique challenges faced by all students, including students with disabilities. We hope this session will initiate conversations around AI in education. We will discuss various AI topics that impact education, special education, related services, and educational leadership, including the development of future educators, related service personnel, higher education faculty, and researchers.

CIDDL Office Hours: Live From CEC!

Join CIDDL for a special live Office Hour hosted directly from our table in the Tech Playground. We invite all CEC attendees to stop by, connect with our team, and learn more about our current initiatives and upcoming opportunities. For those unable to attend in person, we will also host a concurrent Zoom session to ensure broader access and participation. During this session, we will share updates on CIDDL’s latest projects, highlight where our team members are presenting throughout the conference, and answer questions about integrating technology and AI in educational settings. Whether you join us on-site or virtually, this is an opportunity to engage with our team, explore resources, and continue the conversation around innovation in special education.

If you would like to register in advance for this meeting, use the link below:
https://kansas.zoom.us/meeting/register/sq6i-4pDRX6zjlmWH-1Qqw

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Come Play in the Tech Playground!

In Tech Playground, we offer Technology Blitzes that explore how to use AI and other cutting-edge technologies in educational settings. 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 examples of how technology is implemented, where attendees will learn. 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 11, 2026
TitleTimePresenter
Superpower your AI Game with Prompt Engineering1:15 pm - 1:30 pmTrey Vasquez
What's New at the Center for Innovation, Design and Digital Learning (CIDDL)1:45 pm - 2:00 pmAngelica Fulchini Scruggs
Discover the Pulse of Biometrics to Improve Classroom Attention, Stress, and Emotional Regulation2:15 pm - 2:30 pmMelanie Farmer
Results of an AI Pilot Study with Postsecondary Students with Intellectual Disabilities2:45 pm - 3:00 pmMatthew Marino
From Policy to Practice: A District Case Study on Operationalizing AI in Special Education3:15 pm - 3:30 pmPatrick Marcotte & Sam Choo
Designing Engaging Math Literacy Instruction Through AI3:45 pm - 4:00 pmMikyung Shin & Jiyeon Park
Thursday, March 12, 2026
TitleTimePresenter
Adaptive AI and Executive Functioning9:15 am - 9:30 amPhilip Garza
Can They Do That? Making Applied Reasoning Visible9:45 am - 10:00 amLynn Scott
Using AI in IEP Development10:15 am - 10:30 amOlivia Coleman & Danielle Waterfield
Using Perusall for Social Annotation10:45 am - 11:00 amAlisa Lowrey
Using AI to Support Executive Functions and Task Analysis11:15 am - 11:30 amYerin Seung
Free Video Data Tagging Tool11:45 am - 12:00 pmLisa Dieker & Melanie Farmer
AI to Support High Leverage Practices (HLP)12:15 pm - 12:30 pmJames Basham
EduNavigator AI: A Tool Co-Designed by Educators12:45 pm - 1:00 pmJennifer Kouo
The AI Research Concierge: From Clinical Jargon to Classroom Action1:15 pm - 1:30 pmJoshua Levins
Enhancing Instructional Planning Practices with AI Planning Companion1:45 pm - 2:00 pmA.J. Naatz
Personalizing Learning with AI2:15 pm - 2:30 pmSara Heintzelman
From Accommodation to Innovation: Reimagining Accessibility in the Age of AI2:45 pm - 3:00 pmMaggie Mosher & Katie Schmaltz
Co-created and Orchestrated Lesson Plan Builder for Math3:15 pm - 3:30 pmMikyung Shin
Using AI to Close the Research to Practice Gap3:45 pm - 4:00 pmTal Slemrod
Friday, March 13, 2026
TitleTimePresenter
Personalizing Learning with AI9:15 am - 9:30 amSara Heintzelman
Enhancing Instructional Planning Practices with AI Planning Companion9:45 am - 10:00 amA.J. Naatz
Using Generative AI in Multimedia Vocabulary Instruction10:15 am - 10:30 amMichael Kennedy, Rachel Kunemund, Danielle Waterfield, Nathan Welker, Suzanne McClain, Caroline Brinkley, & Robert T. Rhodes
NumberShire: Implementing an evidence-based math gaming intervention10:45 am - 11:00 amSam Choo, Martin Odima, Kate Song, Jechun An, & Nancy Nelson
Customizing ChatGPT for Class Activities11:15 am - 11:30 amJiyeon Park & Jooyoung Lee
Using Multi-Agent LLM System and Quality Rubrics to Develop and Evaluate Compliant, High Quality IEPs11:45 am - 12:00 pmTiffany Hunt, Ling Zhang, Haidee Jackson, & Sohyun Yang
AI-Supported Teaching Practices for Engagement and Self-Regulation in Higher Education12:15 pm - 12:30 pmKimberly Martinez

Are You Joining Us?

Will you be at CEC? Are you presenting on a topic related to AI or technology integration? Are you excited to stop by our booths? Tell us about your convention plans in our community. See you soon in Salt Lake City!

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