Learner Variability Takes Center Stage at Barnstable High School

Learner Variability Takes Center Stage at Barnstable High School Educators from all over gathered at Barnstable High School for MassCUE’s Designing for Learner Variability in the Age of AI mini-conference on Aug. 4, 2026, and the energy in the building said it all. From learner-centered practices to instructional design basics to executive function and SEL strategies, the day was packed with ideas educators could put to use the very next day in their own classrooms. Attendees left with fresh strategies for designing learning experiences that meet students where they are, and with a shared reminder that when we design for learner variability, we design for belonging.  MassCUE is proud to support educators leading the way in inclusive, learner-centered design, and we're just getting started. Special thank you to all of our presenters. Sessions Included:  Re-Thinking Literacy: Print, Digital and AI Successfully Converge — Brett Pierce A model for re-balancing print and digital writing practices, integrating AI to expand student dialogue and make literacy more inclusive for the many students for whom print is not their primary means of communication. What If the Problem Isn't the Student? Designing Classrooms that Support Regulation, Belonging, and Learner Success — Dr. Anne Katona Linn Practical strategies for classrooms that strengthen self-regulation, executive functioning, engagement, and belonging, so every learner feels seen and capable of success. Beyond Leveling: Using AI to Bridge the Gap to Complex Text — Edward Jacques, Sarah Hopson Concrete ways to use generative AI to build scaffolds that let all students engage directly with complex, grade-level text rather than simplified versions of it. Notice First: Self-Awareness as the Foundation for AI Literacy — Jacqui Heron Finn A framework for building the self-awareness that turns AI into a genuine thinking partner in the classroom, starting with a personalized learner profile participants build for themselves. AI as your New "Administrative Assistant": Leveraging AI to Improve Executive Functioning Skills in Secondary Classrooms — Joshua Dickson A hands-on look at how generative AI can help secondary students break down assignments, build action plans, and grow more independent learners. Using AI to Expand Access and Voice in Math — Karen Levin Grounded in UDL and NCTM research, this session explores when AI genuinely opens up access, participation, and voice in math class, and when it gets in the way. The Future of Literacy Is Flexible: Designing Reading and Writing in the Age of AI — Karen Janowski Practical strategies for designing more flexible, inclusive literacy instruction that honors the Science of Reading while embracing what AI makes newly possible. Unlocking Student Agency through Practical AI Supports — Vanessa Miller, Sarah Dully, Melissa O'Neill, Kristen Provost Real classroom examples of AI tools like Read&Write and NotebookLM reducing barriers and helping students work more independently toward grade-level learning. Designing Instruction That Promotes Independence: AI as a Cognitive Support — Karen Janowski A look at how AI can function as a cognitive support, not a replacement, helping learners strengthen executive function, comprehension, and organizational skills through intentional instructional design. Designed for All: Using AI to Build Flexible, Rigorous Learning Experiences — Heather Sweet Strategies for using AI to differentiate at every stage of instruction, from surfacing prerequisite knowledge to building choice boards and tiered assignments. Using Interactive Panels to Improve Engagement and Accessibility — Paul Hickey A look at how interactive panel design, hardware and software alike, is driving improvements in classroom equity and inclusion. Empowering Inclusivity: Support All Learners with Lumio — Sarah Storck How Lumio's built-in and AI-powered tools, from Immersive Reader to real-time content adaptation, help create more equitable, personalized learning. Beyond the Prompt: Teaching Students to Be Safe, Smart, and AI Ready — Suzanne McLaughlin Practical strategies for building cybersecurity awareness, digital citizenship, and AI literacy so students can navigate an AI-powered world safely and critically. Want More Days Like This One? Days like this are only possible because of educators like you who show up, share ideas, and push the work forward. If you want to stay connected to opportunities like Designing for Learner Variability, become a MassCUE member and sign up for our newsletter so you never miss what's coming next. Designing for Learner Variability in the Age of AI Sponsors A special thank you to our generous sponsors who made this event possible: Avidex, Brisk Teaching, Custom Computer Specialist, and Ockers Technologies.

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What a Day at MassCUE AI Palooza!

What a Day at MassCUE AI Palooza 2025! We had an incredible turnout at the MassCUE AI Palooza held at Holyoke Community College with over 60 educators from across the state diving into the world of AI in education. From exploring Canva Code AI to unpacking media literacy, generative AI, and analyzing AI tools, the sessions were rich with insight and practical strategies. Teachers left with ready-to-use ideas to bring back to their classrooms — from creative lesson sparks to thoughtful conversations around ethics, literacy, and student voice in the age of AI. A huge thank you to our generous and innovative sponsors and our presenters.  You helped make this day both inspiring and actionable! MassCUE is proud to support educators leading the way in digital learning — and we’re just getting started. AI Palooza Presenters Karin Cloutier Erin Foley Mike Grandinetti Rebecca Mazur Vanessa Miller Pamela Santerre Marina Solovyov Torrey Trust     AI Palooza Sponsors MassCUE's AI Palooza was sponsored by Magic School, schoolai, JFYNetworks, BRISK Teaching, and edia.          

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Last Call to Register for AI Palooza

Get Ready for MassCUE's AI Palooza Last Call to Sign Up! Calling all K-12 educators! Get ready for an exciting summer learning adventure at MassCUE's AI Palooza, designed to explore how artificial intelligence (AI) can transform education. Whether you're an AI novice or looking to deepen your expertise, this event is for you. Join fellow educators to learn, connect, and discover practical ways AI can: Save you time Boost student engagement Support responsible AI implementation in schools. We've curated four dynamic tracks to cater to every interest: Intro to Generative AI for K-12 Educators Designing with AI: Creative Tools for Planning and Differentiation Building AI Literacy in Students AI for School & District Leaders Come curious and leave inspired—AI Palooza is your launchpad into the future of teaching and learning! MassCUE's AI Palooza is proudly sponsored by Magic School, schoolai, JFYNetworks, BRISK Teaching, and edia. We'll have eight presenters and many sessions -- all focused on AI. Enjoy a fun and educational day in beautiful Western Massachusetts, complete with a lite breakfast, lunch, and four session timeslots. We hope to see you there! To learn more about AI Palooza and register, please visit our website. To check out the Schedule, visit our Schedule page.  

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Making the Most of MassCUE’s Fall Conference

Attendees to MassCUE’s Annual Fall Conference at Gillette Stadium…

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MassCUE Winter Googlepalooza 2018 Registration Now Open!

Join our educators for our 4th annual Winter Googlepalooza, a full day of G Suite for Education hands-on workshops taught by…

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MassCUE Datapalooza-Catch the Early Bird Pricing

Want to know more about using data in our schools to inform instruction?  Then please attend MassCUE’s first ever Datapalooza Event. …

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What’s New with Microsoft in EDU-Free Event!

Where: Burlington Microsoft Office, Burlington, MA When: January 23, 2018 Are you looking to enhance teamwork,…

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Accepting Proposals for MassCUE/M.A.S.S. Fall Conference 2017

Attention Educators:  The Call for Proposals for the MassCUE/M.A.S.S. Fall Conference 2017 is now open.  Apply to present a workshop or showcase student…

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Tips Plan and Host your First Edcamp

Gear Up to Host your First EdCamp With a bit of planning, hosting your first Edcamp can lead to an energizing day filled with meaningful learning for your fellow educators….

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Massachusetts School Leaders Become Future Ready with the New Leadership in Blended and Digital Learning Program

by Grace Magley MassCUE kicked off the Leadership in Blended and Digital Learning Program (LBDL) with a 2-hour, synchronous, virtual and face-to-face program orientation on March 1st. The…

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#LFL16 in tweets, bits and bytes

By Laura Gardner Tweeting at a conference is one thing; I love to do it and always do. Rather than take notes, I tweet out what I hear,…

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MassCUE Makerspace Special Interest Group (SIG)

by Cathy Collins The idea of collaborative learning spaces for creative activity has gathered a great deal of momentum in education recently. The makerspace movement is being embraced by the…

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Introducing MassCUE Learning Tours

By Shelley Chamberlain Learning Tours: A new exciting match program by MassCUE Is your school or district thinking about implementing a new initiative and teachers from the district would like to…

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Leadership in Social Media — #LFL2016

By Sara Ahern In honor of the upcoming MassCUE/EdTechTeacher spring conference, Leading Future Learning, I thought I’d write my first blog post. This year, the theme of the Friday, March 11,…

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