Designing for Learner Variability in the Age of AI 2026

Image for Designing for Learner Variability in the Age of AI, a one-day mini-conference taking place August 4, 2026 at Barnstable High School.

Graphic of people brainstorming. 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 30, 2026

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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2026-08-04 08:00 2026-08-04 15:00 America/New_York 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 — […]

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