Designing for Learner Variability in the Age of AI 2026

Join MassCUE on Tuesday. Aug. 4, 2026 at Barnstable High School for Designing for Learner Variability in the Age of AI, a dynamic, hands-on summer mini-conference.  Every classroom is filled with learners who bring different cognitive strengths, background experiences, engagement patterns, accessibility needs, and learning differences.. The question is not whether learner variability exists — it’s how we intentionally design, acknowledging learning variabilities, so that all truly means all. Participants will explore real classroom scenarios, practical tech adjustments (from formatting and readability to text-to-speech and voice feedback), and AI as a thought partner in instructional design — all grounded in the belief that good design benefits every learner. This is not a sit-and-get day of workshops. It is an interactive design experience focused on breaking barriers, shifting mindsets, and building inclusive systems that last. Spend the day collaborating with forward-thinking educators, experimenting with meaningful tools, and leaving with ready-to-implement strategies that make learning more accessible, engaging, and empowering. When we design for learner variability, we design for belonging. Registration and Sponsorship information coming soon. Call for Speakers Now open We invite educators to submit session proposals aligned with the following strands for Designing for Learner Variability in the Age of AI. We are seeking engaging, practical presentations that highlight strategies, tools, and classroom practices that support learner variability and inclusive design. Proposals should be relevant to elementary, middle, or high school educators, and we encourage sessions that share real classroom examples, actionable ideas, and approaches participants can implement right away. Submission Deadline: April 15, 2026 SUBMIT A PROPOSAL Strand 1: Learner-Centered Practices Design learning environments where students have voice, choice, and meaningful ways to engage with content. Sessions in this strand explore strategies that center the learner experience, support accessibility, and empower students to access grade-level learning independently. Examples may include flexible pathways for demonstrating learning, culturally responsive practices, student agency and goal setting, and using technology and AI tools to personalize learning while maintaining high expectations for all. Strand 2: Instructional Design Basics Great learning starts with intentional design. This strand focuses on practical strategies educators can use to design accessible, inclusive learning experiences that reduce barriers before they appear. Sessions may include designing clear and flexible assignments, improving readability and accessibility of materials, using text-to-speech or multimedia supports, building effective rubrics and feedback systems, and leveraging AI as a thought partner when planning lessons or differentiating instruction. Strand 3: Executive Function & Social Emotional Strategies Supporting learner variability also means supporting how students manage their learning. This strand focuses on strategies that build executive functioning skills and social-emotional capacity so students can engage, persist, and succeed. Sessions may explore tools and routines for organization, self-regulation, goal setting, and reflection, along with approaches that strengthen belonging, motivation, and student confidence in the learning process. About the Conference Who Should Attend This event is designed for k-12 educators, librarians, and instructional coaches. What You’ll Take Away This immersive day moves beyond theory into practical design strategies that help educators: Teach so every learner can access grade-level content independently Reduce barriers to reading, engagement, and expression Build learner-centered environments rooted in accessibility and inclusion Use thoughtful technology and AI tools to support differentiation with ease Design feedback systems that increase clarity, agency, and growth Event Details Date: Aug. 4, 2026 Time: 8AM-3PM Location: Barnstable High School, 744 West Main Street, Hyannis, MA 02601 

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Virtual Book Study: AI with Intention

REGISTER NOW! BOOK STUDY DESCRIPTION AI with Intention: Principles and Action Steps for Teachers and School Leaders Virtual Book Study: AI with Intention: Principles and Action Steps for Teachers and School Leaders by Tony Frontier By Tony Frontier As artificial intelligence tools continue to make their way into classrooms and districts, educators are challenged to ensure these innovations truly serve students and support effective teaching and learning. Join teaching and leadership expert Tony Frontier for a four-part virtual book study of AI with Intention: Principles and Action Steps for Teachers and School Leaders. This engaging book study, held virtually on March 10, 17, 24, and 31, 2026, will explore practical, student-centered approaches to using AI responsibly and effectively in schools. Participants will examine guiding principles and actionable strategies for assessing AI tools, supporting academic integrity, and maintaining a clear focus on high-quality instruction. School leaders will gain insight into building a shared, schoolwide understanding of AI and implementing thoughtful, mission-aligned practices. Teachers will learn how to leverage AI tools efficiently to support student engagement and productive struggle—without compromising learning. New technologies may be evolving quickly, but this book study emphasizes that how we respond to innovation matters most. AI with Intention provides a clear roadmap for educators seeking to integrate AI in ways that strengthen—not undermine—teaching and learning. REQUISITES Audience Educators (technology and all curricular areas) Level K-12 Earn Participation Certificate for 6 Hours Date March 10, 2026 March 17, 2026 March 24, 2026 March 31, 2026 (with Author Tony Frontier) Time 4:30 P.M. to 5:30 P.M. Location Virtual Fee $10/person BookEach participant is responsible for purchasing the book.  Please consider ordering from the ISTE+ASCD Bookstore to support the authors and get a 30% discount. Ordering is easy: Go to the book page on the ASCD.org website Click on the green "Add to Order" button to put the book in your cart Use the following code during checkout: BookStudy PURCHASE BOOK AT THE ISTE+ASCD BOOKSTORE AI with Intention: Principles and Action Steps for Teachers and School Leaders We encourage participants to order the book directly from ISTE+ASCD.  Not only will you be receiving a 30% discount off the list price for purchase of the book through April 1, 2026, but you also will be supporting this authors who graciously offered to attend our March 31, 2026 online session. Ordering is easy: Go to the book page on the ASCD.org website Click on the green "Add to Order" button to put the book in your cart For your 30% discount, use the following code during checkout: BookStudy   MEET THE AUTHOR Author Tony Frontier has graciously offered to attend the March 31, 2026, virtual session to discuss the book and answer your questions. Tony Frontier Tony Frontier, PhD, is an award-winning educator who works with teachers and school leaders nationally and internationally to help them prioritize efforts to improve student learning. With expertise in student engagement, evidence-based assessment, effective instruction, technology integration, data analysis, and strategic planning, Frontier emphasizes a systems approach to build capacity and empower teachers to improve each student’s schooling experience. He is the author of several ASCD books and products, including AI with Intention and the quick reference guide Preventing Cheating Through Academic Integrity. FACILITATOR: ALICE BARR Facilitator: Alice Barr Alice, who is a retired technology educator who is a Google Certified Innovator and past recipient of ACTEM's Achieve and the John Lunt Friend of Technology Awards, will facilitate the book study.   AFFILIATIONS MassCUE is collaborating with affiliates Vita-Learn (Vermont), NHSTE (New Hampshire), and ACTEM (Maine) to offer a spring book study.    REGISTRATION Virtual Book Study Registration March 10, 17, 24, & 31, 2026 Cost: $10/person REGISTER NOW

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 Tech & Learning Leadership Summit

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Fall Conference 2026

Save the Date MassCUE Fall Conference 2026 Oct. 14-15, 2026 The MassCUE Fall Conference returns to Gillette Stadium on Oct. 14-15, 026. Mark your calendar and watch this space for more information about New England’s premier education technology conference.This two-day event will feature workshops, demonstrations, and presentations by thought leaders and preeminent educators focused on enhancing teaching and learning with technology. Hundreds of education technology companies and nonprofit organizations will participate, sharing the latest advances with educators and administrators from across the region.For educators looking to connect with peers, exchange ideas, and explore what’s next in edtech, the MassCUE Fall Conference is the place to be.

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WEBINAR: Designing for Learner Variability

Kick off the new year with MassCUE President Tracy Sockalosky and Karen Janowski, President and Owner of…

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