Presented by
- Kelly Bonifield, Instructional Coach, Noblesville Schools
Date @ Time : : 07/23/2026 @ 02 :30 pm
Room: Hyatt Regency 2nd Floor Keenland
Session Description
In an era where information is instantly accessible, students must develop the ability to move, refine, and strengthen knowledge through discussion. This session introduces educators to the Stronger & Clearer discussion protocol — a high-impact routine that increases participation, improves reasoning, and builds academic language across content areas.
Participants will experience the protocol as adult learners using engaging AI scenarios to explore how ideas evolve through structured peer interaction. Grounded in research on academic conversation and knowledge mobility, this session demonstrates how repeated explanation, partner talk, and evidence-based reasoning help students clarify thinking and transfer understanding.
What this session is really about
When AI can generate an answer in seconds, what should students still be doing themselves?
That's the question that led our district's AI committee to rethink our professional learning. We realized the conversation couldn't just be about AI tools—it had to be about the skills AI can't replace. Students still need opportunities to explain their thinking, listen to new perspectives, revise their ideas, and use evidence to strengthen their reasoning.
In this session, you'll experience one of the discussion protocols we've used with educators as part of that work. You'll participate as a learner, reflect on how ideas become stronger as they move from person to person, and see how Canvas can support that learning from in-person discussion to reflection and final thinking.
I'm excited to share a strategy that has shifted conversations in our own district and, I hope, will leave you thinking differently about discussion in the age of AI.
This one's for you if…
- You're a classroom teacher, instructional coach, or curriculum leader looking for practical ways to keep students doing the thinking in an AI-enabled world.
- You're interested in designing blended learning experiences where discussion, reflection, and digital tools work together to deepen student reasoning—not just deliver content.
- You design professional learning for educators and are looking for engaging, ready-to-use experiences that model the instructional practices you want teachers to bring back to their classrooms.
Resources
Check back after the conference for updates, slides, and the session recording.
See you in Louisville!
I'm excited to continue this conversation in Louisville—and I'd love your help before we even get there!
Drop a comment below:
- How has AI changed the way you think about classroom discussion?
- What's your biggest challenge when it comes to keeping students doing the thinking in the age of AI?
I'll be following the comments leading up to the conference and will weave your ideas and questions into the session whenever I can.
