2026 Jeffrey Powell Mobile Learning Conference: Full Schedule

Welcome to the Jeffrey Powell Mobile Learning Conference! Grab your ticket today!

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8:45am CDT

Monday June 8, 2026 8:45am - 9:00am CDT

A short welcome session for the Jeffrey Powell Mobile Learning Conference. We will talk about session access, schedule, and more!

Speakers

Carlena Benjamin

Instructional Technology Specialist, Northeast MS Community College

Dr. Carlena Benjamin is the Instructional Technology Specialist at Northeast Mississippi Community College, where she supports faculty and students in using technology to create engaging, personalized learning experiences. She also manages the campus 1:1 iPad program and leads the... Read More →

Monday June 8, 2026 8:45am - 9:00am CDT

Informative, Monday

9:00am CDT

Future Ready or Future Reactive? Literacy, Learning, and AI by Design

Monday June 8, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT

As many school systems strive to become “future ready,” including preparing students for their future, we must first clarify what we mean by literacy and meaningful, accessible learning. This session begins with a definition of literacy grounded in participation and empowerment. From there, we examine how literacy, digital, and artificial intelligence intersect with learning design: experience, feedback, assessment, and evaluation, and why those distinctions matter. Rather than adopting AI reactively or rejecting it outright, participants will explore how thoughtful learning design can ensure that technology strengthens rather than distorts accessible and instructionally effective practice.

Speakers

Ken Shelton

Educator, Author, Learning Designer

Ken is a multi-award-winning educator, best-selling author, and internationally recognized keynote speaker specializing in educational technology, leadership development, and learning experience design. He holds a Master’s degree in Education with a focus on Educational Technology... Read More →

Monday June 8, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT

Featured Speaker, Monday

10:00am CDT

Activate Star Mode: Designing High-Impact Interactive Learning with Genially

Monday June 8, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT

Are your course materials doing their job…or just sitting there looking important? If your content feels a little too static and not nearly interactive enough, it’s time to activate Star Mode. Join James for an energetic, hands-on session exploring how Genially can help you design interactive, mobile-friendly learning experiences that spark curiosity and invite students to actually do something with your content.

You’ll see how to quickly create clickable, animated, and gamified resources that support active learning, formative assessment, and student choice across online, hybrid, and face-to-face courses. Along the way, you’ll pick up practical design tips, smart shortcuts, and creative inspiration you can use right away. No coding required. Just thoughtful interactivity, a dash of creativity, and a whole lot of “ohhh, I could use this in my course.”

Speakers

James Flaskamp

Community Builder, Genially

Before becoming a Community Builder at Genially, James spent 20 years in education as a teacher, instructional coach, and digital learning coach. His expertise in pedagogy, gamification, and creativity has earned him awards and recognitions including Teacher of the Year honors and... Read More →

Monday June 8, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT

Breakout Session, Monday

10:00am CDT

Shared Routines, Stronger Teaching: EduProtocols for Pre-Service Teacher Learning

Monday June 8, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT

This session explores how teacher preparation courses can use mobile-friendly EduProtocols to expose pre-service teachers to repeatable instructional routines that support active learning, collaboration, reflection, retrieval practice, and visual thinking. Rather than centering one specific platform, the session focuses on flexible lesson frames that can be adapted into higher education learning experiences through common digital tools such as shared slides, collaborative documents, LMS quizzes, Padlet, and video conferencing tools.
Participants will consider how these routines might be used to help future teachers experience practical instructional strategies as learners while also thinking about how those same structures could transfer into K–12 classrooms. The emphasis is on providing adaptable ideas, simple models, and a practical way to introduce pre-service teachers to engaging instructional routines they may later refine and apply in their own teaching.

Speakers

Zena Brown

Instructional Technology Specialist, Lead, Kennesaw State University, iTeach

Zena Brown is an instructional technology coach with Kennesaw State University’s iTeach team, where she partners with districts in Georgia to support transformative teaching and learning through professional learning, embedded coaching, and instructional design. She previously served... Read More →

Monday June 8, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT

Breakout Session, Monday

10:00am CDT

The Landscape of AI

Monday June 8, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT

AI is everywhere, but where is it going? This session offers a high-speed tour of the AI landscape, breaking down the complex web of neural networks and creative bots into clear, actionable insights. We’ll look at the 'Big Three'—the Creators, the Enablers, and the Regulators—to see how they are collectively shaping the future of human creativity and labor." We'll also ask the hard questions regarding AI Ethics.

Speakers

Tara Poolson

Technology Integration Specialist, Pearl River County School District

Tara Poolson is a Technology Integration Specialist for the Pearl River County School District and works with businesses and schools to utilize GSuite tools more effectively.Tara draws on 20+ years of educational experience to inspire and motivate participants to transform their... Read More →

Monday June 8, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT

Breakout Session, Monday

11:00am CDT

Buried Treasure: Classroom Ideas Worth Stealing

Monday June 8, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT

In this high-energy session, we’ll uncover a treasure chest of classroom ideas worth “stealing.” Collected from real educators (and yes—borrowed from each other!), these strategies are practical, engaging, and ready to use right away.

Participants will choose a number to reveal a hidden idea, then hear a quick share from a fellow “pirate” about how it works in the classroom. Come ready to discover new approaches, swap ideas, and leave with a handful of strategies you can use tomorrow—all while having a little fun along the way. 🏴‍☠️

Speakers

Stephanie Howell

education strategist, Gold EDU/ SchoolAI

Stephanie Howell is an education strategist and best-selling co-author of Control the Chaos: Creating Order in the Classroom and Teaching Executive Functioning Skills. As CEO of Gold EDU and Control the Chaos EDU, she works with schools to build coaching systems that translate into real classroom practice. Stephanie has spoken at conferences around the world and holds master's degrees in Curriculum and Instruction and Educational Leadership. Her wo... Read More →

Melissa Kincaid

Learning Technologies Trainer, Cincinnati Public Schools

Melissa Kincaid is a Learning Technologies Trainer for Cincinnati Public Schools with over two decades in education. She trains teachers to build high-engagement learning experiences through the arts, technology, and STEAM. As Project Manager for the Innovative Practices Conference... Read More →

Monday June 8, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT

Breakout Session, Monday

11:00am CDT

Lead for Innovation: Create Psychologically Safe Environments for Teacher Growth

Monday June 8, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT

Discover the crucial link between psychological safety and teachers' willingness to innovate with technology. This interactive session translates research into practice, providing actionable strategies for leaders, coaches, and teacher educators to build supportive, psychologically safe environments, empowering educators to lean into creativity and innovation and embrace transformative technology-enabled learning.

Speakers

Olivia Bundrick

Clinical Instructor, University of Central Arkansas College of Education

Olivia Bundrick is a Clinical Instructor in the College of Education at the University of Central Arkansas. She taught 8th grade mathematics the previous eight years. Olivia focuses on incorporating a variety of technologies in the K-12 setting to make mathematics accessible to all... Read More →

Noël Gieringer

Clinical Instructor, University of Central Arkansas College of Education

Noël Gieringer is a Clinical Instructor in the College of Education at the University of Central Arkansas. She taught 7th-12th grade English for eleven years before beginning to work with future teachers at UCA. She is the program coordinator for Middle Level Education and focuses... Read More →

Jessica Herring-Watson

Assistant Professor, University of Central Arkansas College of Education

Dr. Jessica Herring-Watson is an Assistant Professor in the College of Education at the University of Central Arkansas where she teaches a variety of undergraduate and graduate courses focused on digital age teaching and leadership. With over a decade of teaching experience, Jessica’s... Read More →

Monday June 8, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT

Breakout Session, Monday

11:00am CDT

Shared Vision, Shared Innovation: Transforming Lessons into Music with Suno AI

Monday June 8, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT

In alignment with the conference theme “Shared Vision, Shared Innovation,” this virtual session empowers educators to reimagine instruction through the creative use of AI.
Participants will engage in a highly interactive, hands-on experience using Suno AI to transform academic content into original music. Through live modeling, guided practice, and collaborative sharing, educators will discover how to use AI to increase engagement, support diverse learners, and bring innovation into any virtual or in-person classroom.
Even in a virtual setting, this session prioritizes active participation, creativity, and real-time application

Speakers

Dr. Shivochie L. DInkins

District Intergration Secondary Technology Specialist, Yazoo County School District

Dr. Shivochie L. Dinkins is a dynamic educator, technology integration specialist, and educational consultant with over 17 years of experience in K–12 and higher education. She currently serves as an Integration Technology Specialist at Yazoo County School District, where she leads... Read More →

Monday June 8, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT

Breakout Session, Monday

12:00pm CDT

Lunch & Recharge

Monday June 8, 2026 12:00pm - 12:45pm CDT

Midday Intermission

1:00pm CDT

Let Them Talk: Designing Classrooms Where Every Student Has a Voice

Monday June 8, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT

Student success begins when students feel heard, valued, and safe to share their thinking. During this session, we will discuss practical strategies that amplify student voice and increase engagement. Participants will experience low-prep discussion routines, purposeful edtech tools, and instructional frameworks that support diverse learners while keeping students actively engaged. Grounded in the science of learning, this session focuses on intentional lesson design and small, small shifts that motivate students to think deeper, talk more, and build understanding that actually sticks.

Speakers

Steph Sukow

Educator, CHSD 155

Steph Sukow is a high school English teacher in the suburbs of Chicago for 17 years, who has been adjuncting college-level speech communications courses since 2016. In addition to teaching, she advocates for digital literacy and is passionate about using educational technology to... Read More →

Monday June 8, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT

Featured Speaker, Monday

2:00pm CDT

Apple's Freeform is My New BFF!

Monday June 8, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT

Freeform may be the most versatile learning/productivity tool that you have never heard of! This iPad and MacBook-friendly app provides an easy-to-use infinite whiteboard for brainstorming, word/graphic mapping, resource collecting, and creating visuals. This hands-on session will explore techniques and lesson ideas using drawing, text, sticky notes, shapes, photos, videos, and links that can support learners of all ages and subject areas.
Participants will:

Explore the tools and features in Apple’s Freeform.
Design a graphic organizer containing drawings, text, sticky notes, shapes, photos, videos, and links.
Learn about power user tips and see lesson ideas.
Brainstorm ways to use Freeform in their classroom.

Speakers

Karen Bosch

iPad training and creativity, Independent Educational Technology Consultant

Karen Bosch is a retired PreK - 8 Technology Instructor who worked for many years at Southfield Christian School in the metro Detroit area. Although retired from the traditional classroom, she still consults with schools about effective iPad strategies for the classroom and presents... Read More →

Monday June 8, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT

Breakout Session, Monday

2:00pm CDT

Bringing Our Kids Into Their Digital Kindness Era

Monday June 8, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT

In our increasingly connected educational landscape, students face unique challenges navigating digital environments. This session explores how digital wellness practices can be specifically adapted to support students creating more welcoming online spaces. The collective impact of digital kindness across learning environments will be called to the center for consideration and discussion as well. We will share research-backed strategies that educators can implement immediately to help all learners develop healthy relationships with technology. We'll examine how assistive technologies can be complemented by mindful digital practices, addressing concerns about screen fatigue, online communication barriers, and digital overload. Participants will discover practical frameworks for teaching digital citizenship that accommodate different learning styles and needs, ensuring all students can engage meaningfully with technology while protecting their wellbeing. This session provides a holistic approach that empowers educators and learners to thrive in supportive, inclusive, intentionally kind digital communities.

Speakers

Andrew Marcinek

Director of Information Technology, Seattle Preparatory School

Andrew Marcinek is the Director of Information Technology at Seattle Preparatory School. He brings over two decades of experience in education and technology leadership, having previously served as Chief Digital Learning Officer at Buckingham Browne & Nichols School, CIO at Worcester... Read More →

Kimberly Zajac

Speech Language Pathologist, Norton Public Schools

Kim is a speech/language pathologist and audiologist who is passionate about establishing equitable access and inclusion for all learners. With 30 years of cross industry and nonprofit leadership experience, Kim serves as an architect of access for innovative integration of design... Read More →

Monday June 8, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT

Breakout Session, Monday

2:00pm CDT

Expanding Your Canvas Toolbox: Innovative, Gamified, and Mobile-Friendly Tools for Engaging Learning Experiences

Monday June 8, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT

Presentation Format
Virtual Presentation (45 minutes)
Presentation Description
As mobile learning and online education continue to evolve, instructors are looking for innovative ways to enhance engagement, simplify course design, and create meaningful learning experiences. This session focuses on expanding your Canvas toolbox by introducing a variety of practical, mobile-friendly, and gamified technology tools that can be easily integrated into Canvas courses.
Participants will explore tools such as Canva for visually engaging course materials, iorad for step-by-step walkthroughs, Genially for gamified and interactive learning experiences, and 7taps for mobile-friendly microlearning. The session will also highlight AI-powered tools such as Gamma and ChatGPT to support content creation and streamline instructional design workflows.
Additional tools will include:

Padlet for interactive student collaboration
Mentimeter for live engagement
Kahoot! for gamified assessments
Blooket for competitive review activities
Nearpod for interactive presentations
H5P for embedded interactive content
Curipod for interactive lessons

Participants will experience guided walkthroughs of selected tools, demonstrating how instructors can quickly create engaging content and embed it directly into Canvas. The session will also showcase how gamified learning elements—such as badges, interactive challenges, and microlearning activities—can increase motivation, engagement, and student participation.
Attendees will leave with practical strategies, examples, and ready-to-implement ideas that support innovative, mobile-friendly learning experiences.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

Identify innovative and gamified technology tools that enhance Canvas courses
Create interactive and mobile-friendly learning experiences
Utilize AI-powered tools to streamline content creation
Implement gamified learning strategies to increase student engagement
Apply practical techniques to expand their Canvas toolbox

Session Outline
Introduction: Expanding Your Canvas Toolbox

The importance of mobile learning
Increasing engagement through technology
Gamified learning overview

Tool Walkthroughs and Demonstrations
Participants will see live walkthroughs of:

Creating visual course content using Canva
Building interactive tutorials with iorad
Designing gamified content with Genially
Creating microlearning with 7taps
Using ChatGPT to generate instructional content
Creating AI-generated presentations using Gamma

Gamified Learning Strategies

Interactive challenges
Badges and achievements
Microlearning activities
Game-based assessments using Kahoot and Blooket

Additional Tools for Engagement

Collaboration with Padlet
Interactive polling with Mentimeter
Interactive lessons with Nearpod
Embedded interactions using H5P
Interactive lessons with Curipod

Implementation in Canvas

Embedding tools into modules
Mobile-friendly design tips
Quick implementation ideas

Q&A and Resource Sharing
Participants will receive a resource list with links, examples, and implementation ideas.
Target Audience

Higher Education Faculty
Instructional Designers
Educational Technology Specialists
Online Learning Administrators

Speakers

Amie Smothers

Lead Instructional Designer, Hinds Community College

Amie Smothers is the Lead Instructional Designer at Hinds Community College who supports faculty in designing engaging, accessible, and innovative online learning experiences. She works closely with instructors to integrate technology tools, enhance course design, and create meaningful... Read More →

Monday June 8, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT

Breakout Session, Monday

3:00pm CDT

Getting the Most Out of the Apple Ecosystem

Monday June 8, 2026 3:00pm - 3:50pm CDT

With the availability of the new MacBook Neo and the ubiquity of iPhones and other Apple devices in the lives of many people, one of the underrated champions of the classroom is actually the ease and convenience of how all of these devices can work together. In this session, we will go over the workflows and continuity pieces that are found throughout the Apple device ecosystem. If you have a Mac, iPad, iPhone, Apple Watch, AirPods, Apple TV, or Vision Pro, this session will highlight the ways these tools integrate with each other and their potential uses in the classroom. Control multiple devices with one input, share your screen across devices, control presentations without being tethered to your desk, use your iPhone as a wireless webcam, have your devices share a Universal Clipboard, and replace your document camera. We will also touch on Apple Intelligence and its potential classroom uses, especially as it relates to the new Apple Creator Studio. Join us to see the innovative ways that the built-in features of Apple products can work together in the classroom!

Speakers

Chuck Langston

Director of Technology, Gordon County Schools

Chuck Langston is the Director of Technology for the Gordon County School District in Calhoun, GA. He served as instructional Technology Coordinator as the school district implemented a 1:1 deployment. Mr. Langston provided professional learning relating to the implementation of instructional... Read More →

Monday June 8, 2026 3:00pm - 3:50pm CDT

Breakout Session, Tuesday

3:00pm CDT

Mastering Personalized AI with Google NotebookLM

Monday June 8, 2026 3:00pm - 3:50pm CDT

In an era prioritizing academic integrity and data privacy, Google NotebookLM offers a revolutionary "walled garden" approach to AI. This session explores a personalized cognitive partner grounded exclusively in your curriculum and research, ensuring hallucination-free responses backed by verifiable, clickable citations.

Designed for the modern classroom and faculty suite, this presentation demonstrates how to transform static materials—PDFs, YouTube lectures, and primary sources—into a dynamic learning ecosystem. We will explore 2026 features like the "Study Studio," which generates AI-narrated podcasts for auditory learners, Socratic tutoring prompts that coach students, and automated, standards-aligned rubrics and lesson plans.

Attendees will learn to differentiate instruction at scale, providing students with a "personal tutor" tailored to course specifics. We will also address the critical security protocols of 2026 that protect student data and proprietary research. Whether you are a K-12 teacher or a researcher, you will leave with a practical roadmap for integrating grounded AI into your pedagogical workflow, turning information overload into a verifiable academic advantage.

Speakers

Reginald Matthews

Director of Information Technology, Southwest MS Community College

Reginald Matthews is an Information Technology leader, educator, and researcher specializing in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and instructional technology. He currently serves as Director of Information Technology and Instructional Designer at Southwest Mississippi Community... Read More →

Monday June 8, 2026 3:00pm - 3:50pm CDT

Breakout Session, Monday

3:00pm CDT

Stop Surviving, Start Thriving: Control the Chaos

Monday June 8, 2026 3:00pm - 3:50pm CDT

Feeling overwhelmed by classroom chaos? This session gives you practical, ready-to-use strategies for building systems that support student executive functioning and classroom management. You'll leave with a clear plan you can put to work Monday morning, no tech overhaul required.

Speakers

Stephanie Howell

education strategist, Gold EDU/ SchoolAI

Monday June 8, 2026 3:00pm - 3:50pm CDT

Breakout Session, Monday

2026 Jeffrey Powell Mobile Learning Conference

From $26.46

Tickets

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2026 Jeffrey Powell Mobile Learning Conference

8:45am CDT

Carlena Benjamin

9:00am CDT

Ken Shelton

10:00am CDT

James Flaskamp

10:00am CDT

Zena Brown

10:00am CDT

Tara Poolson

11:00am CDT

Stephanie Howell

Melissa Kincaid

11:00am CDT

Olivia Bundrick

Noël Gieringer

Jessica Herring-Watson

11:00am CDT

Dr. Shivochie L. DInkins

12:00pm CDT

1:00pm CDT

Steph Sukow

2:00pm CDT

Karen Bosch

2:00pm CDT

Andrew Marcinek

Kimberly Zajac

2:00pm CDT

Amie Smothers

3:00pm CDT

Chuck Langston

3:00pm CDT

Reginald Matthews

3:00pm CDT

Stephanie Howell

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