Topic: Professional Development

Creating Interactive Learning Experiences 

March Live Lab: Creating Interactive Learning Experiences

Do you have great ideas for interactive content – quizzes that adapt, simulations that visualize concepts, games that review key ideas – but you don’t know how to build them?  Feeling stuck with outdated or generic templates and activities?

In this Live Lab session, you will learn how to break free from limited tools that don’t capture student imagination or offer multiple paths for students to show what they know. Build web-based quizzes, simulations, and interactive tools in minutes—no programming experience required. Join us to turn your content ideas into actual working tools your students can use tomorrow.

  • Session 1: Tuesday, March 3, 2026 (1st Tuesday) 
  • Session 2: Tuesday, March 24, 2026 (4th Tuesday)
  • Time: 4:00 pm-4:45 pm PT
  • Virtual
  • REGISTER HERE
  • Price: FREE
What are Live Labs?

CALIE Live Labs is not just another PD opportunity—it’s a paradigm shift in how educators can learn and grow.

If you’re tired of:

  • Professional development that feels like wasted time
  • Knowing about tools but never feeling confident enough to use them
  • Innovating alone without support or recognition
  • Learning that doesn’t connect to your classroom or campus

Then Live Labs is built for you.

You’ll create real resources, connect with real educators, receive real recognition, and walk away with real confidence. And you’ll do it in a way that actually fits into your life, not another obligation that drains you, but an experience that energizes and empowers you.

CALIE Live Labs are for educators at any grade level or role who want practical, collaborative support solving real classroom and school challenges. 

No prior experience with specific tools is required—Live Labs focus on adaptable strategies that work across classrooms, roles, and contexts.

Key Features of Live Labs
  • Create, Don’t Just Consume
    Every Lab ends with a ready-to-use classroom artifact; practical, tested, and yours.
  • A Two-Week Learn–Build–Refine Cycle
    Learn together, create on your own time, then return to share, get feedback, and improve.
  • Learn Alongside Educators Who Get It
    Collaborate with educators across grade levels and contexts. No isolation, just shared problem-solving.
  • Low-Risk Experimentation, Real Impact
    Try new ideas with support from facilitators and peers in a space designed for iteration, not perfection.

Your Work Lives Beyond the Lab
Earn recognition, contribute to shared resource collections, and be part of a growing library of educator-created work

Learn More
Register Now

Designing Visual Learning Experiences That Engage

April Live Lab: Designing Visual Learning Experiences That Engage

Ever feel like your content deserves better than another slideshow that puts your students on auto pilot? Maybe you’ve seen beautifully designed and enticing content, but feel overwhelmed by the amount of time it would take to create? 

In this Live Lab, you’ll discover how to design interactive, visually intriguing learning experiences that students engages students instantly. Register now and transform your next unit from flat slides to dynamic exploration.

  • Session 1: Tuesday, April 7, 2026 (1st Tuesday)
  • Session 2:  Tuesday, April 28, 2026 (4th Tuesday)
  • Time: 4:00 pm-4:45 pm PT
  • Virtual
  • REGISTER HERE
  • Price: $35 or Free for CALIE Members

What Are CALIE Live Labs?

CALIE Live Labs is not just another PD opportunity—it’s a paradigm shift in how educators can learn and grow.

If you’re tired of:

  • Professional development that feels like wasted time
  • Knowing about tools but never feeling confident enough to use them
  • Innovating alone without support or recognition
  • Learning that doesn’t connect to your classroom or campus

Then Live Labs is built for you.

You’ll create real resources, connect with real educators, receive real recognition, and walk away with real confidence. And you’ll do it in a way that actually fits into your life, not another obligation that drains you, but an experience that energizes and empowers you.

CALIE Live Labs are for educators at any grade level or role who want practical, collaborative support solving real classroom and school challenges. 

No prior experience with specific tools is required—Live Labs focus on adaptable strategies that work across classrooms, roles, and contexts.

Key Features of CALIE Live Labs
  • Create, Don’t Just Consume
    Every Lab ends with a ready-to-use classroom artifact; practical, tested, and yours.
  • A Two-Week Learn–Build–Refine Cycle
    Learn together, create on your own time, then return to share, get feedback, and improve.
  • Learn Alongside Educators Who Get It
    Collaborate with educators across grade levels and contexts. No isolation, just shared problem-solving.
  • Low-Risk Experimentation, Real Impact
    Try new ideas with support from facilitators and peers in a space designed for iteration, not perfection.
  • Your Work Lives Beyond the Lab
    Earn recognition, contribute to shared resource collections, and be part of a growing library of educator-created work.
Learn More
Register Now

Mastering Multiple Means of Representation 

May Live Lab: Mastering Multiple Means of Representation

Do your students need different ways to access content—study guides for some, audio summaries for others, discussion prompts etc—but you already know that creating all this would eat up hours you don’t have. By the time we’ve made differentiated materials, we’re exhausted before we even teach. 

Then this Live Lab is for you! 

Learn how to transform what you already have into multiple formats in minutes instead of hours. Prioritize serving every learner without sacrificing your evenings.

  • Session 1: Tuesday, May 5, 2026 (1st Tuesday)
  • Session 2:   Tuesday, May 26, 2026 (4th Tuesday)
  • Time: 4:00 pm-4:45 pm PT
  • Virtual
  • REGISTER HERE
  • Price: $35 or Free for CALIE Members

What Are CALIE Live Labs?

CALIE Live Labs is not just another PD opportunity—it’s a paradigm shift in how educators can learn and grow.

If you’re tired of:

  • Professional development that feels like wasted time
  • Knowing about tools but never feeling confident enough to use them
  • Innovating alone without support or recognition
  • Learning that doesn’t connect to your classroom or campus

Then Live Labs is built for you.

You’ll create real resources, connect with real educators, receive real recognition, and walk away with real confidence. And you’ll do it in a way that actually fits into your life, not another obligation that drains you, but an experience that energizes and empowers you.

CALIE Live Labs are for educators at any grade level or role who want practical, collaborative support solving real classroom and school challenges. 

No prior experience with specific tools is required—Live Labs focus on adaptable strategies that work across classrooms, roles, and contexts.

Key Features of CALIE Live Labs
  • Create, Don’t Just Consume
    Every Lab ends with a ready-to-use classroom artifact; practical, tested, and yours.
  • A Two-Week Learn–Build–Refine Cycle
    Learn together, create on your own time, then return to share, get feedback, and improve.
  • Learn Alongside Educators Who Get It
    Collaborate with educators across grade levels and contexts. No isolation, just shared problem-solving.
  • Low-Risk Experimentation, Real Impact
    Try new ideas with support from facilitators and peers in a space designed for iteration, not perfection.
  • Your Work Lives Beyond the Lab
    Earn recognition, contribute to shared resource collections, and be part of a growing library of educator-created work.
Learn More
Register Now

Creating AI Virtual Assistants for Teachers

June Live Lab: Creating AI Virtual Assistants Teachers

Raise your hand if your to-do list is endless! Are you overwhelmed with drafting routine emails, leveling instructional materials, managing classroom communications? Do you feel like the repetitive tasks leave little time for the creative, meaningful work you actually became a teacher to do? Don’t you wish you had a way to handle the administrative load without sacrificing quality?

In this Live Lab we’ll work to build a workflow that handles the repetitive stuff so you can focus on connecting with students and amplifying your content. Because your time matters!

  • Session 1: Tuesday, June 2, 2026 (1st Tuesday)
  • Session 2:  Tuesday, June 23, 2026 (4th Tuesday)
  • Time: 4:00 pm-4:45 pm PT
  • Virtual
  • REGISTER HERE
  • Price: $35 or Free for CALIE Members
What Are CALIE Live Labs?

CALIE Live Labs is not just another PD opportunity—it’s a paradigm shift in how educators can learn and grow.

If you’re tired of:

  • Professional development that feels like wasted time
  • Knowing about tools but never feeling confident enough to use them
  • Innovating alone without support or recognition
  • Learning that doesn’t connect to your classroom or campus

Then Live Labs is built for you.

You’ll create real resources, connect with real educators, receive real recognition, and walk away with real confidence. And you’ll do it in a way that actually fits into your life, not another obligation that drains you, but an experience that energizes and empowers you.

CALIE Live Labs are for educators at any grade level or role who want practical, collaborative support solving real classroom and school challenges. 

No prior experience with specific tools is required—Live Labs focus on adaptable strategies that work across classrooms, roles, and contexts.

Bullet Points (required for event announcements): 

Key Features of CALIE Live Labs
  • Create, Don’t Just Consume
    Every Lab ends with a ready-to-use classroom artifact; practical, tested, and yours.
  • A Two-Week Learn–Build–Refine Cycle
    Learn together, create on your own time, then return to share, get feedback, and improve.
  • Learn Alongside Educators Who Get It
    Collaborate with educators across grade levels and contexts. No isolation, just shared problem-solving.
  • Low-Risk Experimentation, Real Impact
    Try new ideas with support from facilitators and peers in a space designed for iteration, not perfection.
  • Your Work Lives Beyond the Lab
    Earn recognition, contribute to shared resource collections, and be part of a growing library of educator-created work.
Learn More
Register Now

Designing for Student Creation with 3D Printing 

July Live Lab: Designing for Student Creation with 3D Printing

Do you want students to create, design, and build real things—not just consume content—but hands-on learning feels complicated, messy, or resource-intensive? So many of us have tools sitting unused because we’re not sure how to integrate them into actual learning without the chaos.

After this Live Lab, you’ll walk away with tried and true ideas to engage students’ minds. Maybe that 3d printer will finally stop collecting dust. 

  • Session 1: Tuesday, July 7, 2026 (1st Tuesday)
  • Session 2:  Tuesday, July 28, 2026 (4th Tuesday)
  • Time: 4:00 pm-4:45 pm PT
  • Virtual
  • REGISTER HERE
  • Price: $35 or Free for CALIE Members

What Are CALIE Live Labs?

CALIE Live Labs is not just another PD opportunity—it’s a paradigm shift in how educators can learn and grow.

If you’re tired of:

  • Professional development that feels like wasted time
  • Knowing about tools but never feeling confident enough to use them
  • Innovating alone without support or recognition
  • Learning that doesn’t connect to your classroom or campus

Then Live Labs is built for you.

You’ll create real resources, connect with real educators, receive real recognition, and walk away with real confidence. And you’ll do it in a way that actually fits into your life, not another obligation that drains you, but an experience that energizes and empowers you.

CALIE Live Labs are for educators at any grade level or role who want practical, collaborative support solving real classroom and school challenges. 

No prior experience with specific tools is required—Live Labs focus on adaptable strategies that work across classrooms, roles, and contexts.

Key Features of CALIE Live Labs
  • Create, Don’t Just Consume
    Every Lab ends with a ready-to-use classroom artifact; practical, tested, and yours.
  • A Two-Week Learn–Build–Refine Cycle
    Learn together, create on your own time, then return to share, get feedback, and improve.
  • Learn Alongside Educators Who Get It
    Collaborate with educators across grade levels and contexts. No isolation, just shared problem-solving.
  • Low-Risk Experimentation, Real Impact
    Try new ideas with support from facilitators and peers in a space designed for iteration, not perfection.
  • Your Work Lives Beyond the Lab
    Earn recognition, contribute to shared resource collections, and be part of a growing library of educator-created work.
Learn More
Register Now

Embedding Accessibility into Everyday Instruction

August Live Lab: Embedding Accessibility into Everyday Instruction

Of course, we want all students to access our materials, but sometimes accessibility feels overwhelming—endless checklists, technical requirements, and the fear you’re doing it wrong. Does Analysis Paralysis have you hesitating to get started instead of taking steps that would actually help students right now?

You don’t need to fix everything all at once to make a difference for your learners. 

In this Live Lab, we will explore three fast moves that instantly make your content more accessible for students, starting with tools already in your tech stack.

  • Session 1: Tuesday, August 4, 2026 (1st Tuesday)
  • Session 2:  Tuesday, August 25, 2026 (4th Tuesday)
  • Time: 4:00 pm-4:45 pm PT
  • Virtual
  • REGISTER HERE
  • Price: $35 or Free for CALIE Members

What Are CALIE Live Labs?

CALIE Live Labs is not just another PD opportunity—it’s a paradigm shift in how educators can learn and grow.

If you’re tired of:

  • Professional development that feels like wasted time
  • Knowing about tools but never feeling confident enough to use them
  • Innovating alone without support or recognition
  • Learning that doesn’t connect to your classroom or campus

Then Live Labs is built for you.

You’ll create real resources, connect with real educators, receive real recognition, and walk away with real confidence. And you’ll do it in a way that actually fits into your life, not another obligation that drains you, but an experience that energizes and empowers you.

CALIE Live Labs are for educators at any grade level or role who want practical, collaborative support solving real classroom and school challenges. 

No prior experience with specific tools is required—Live Labs focus on adaptable strategies that work across classrooms, roles, and contexts.

Key Features of CALIE Live Labs
  • Create, Don’t Just Consume
    Every Lab ends with a ready-to-use classroom artifact; practical, tested, and yours.
  • A Two-Week Learn–Build–Refine Cycle
    Learn together, create on your own time, then return to share, get feedback, and improve.
  • Learn Alongside Educators Who Get It
    Collaborate with educators across grade levels and contexts. No isolation, just shared problem-solving.
  • Low-Risk Experimentation, Real Impact
    Try new ideas with support from facilitators and peers in a space designed for iteration, not perfection.
  • Your Work Lives Beyond the Lab
    Earn recognition, contribute to shared resource collections, and be part of a growing library of educator-created work.
Learn More
Register Now

Building Digital and AI Literacy for Students

September Live Lab: Building Digital and AI Literacy for Students

Are your students using AI tools for everything—homework, writing, advice—but they’re not thinking critically about what AI produces or how it works? Do you need a way to help them become thoughtful users instead of passive consumers, but you’re not sure where to start or what “AI literacy” even means in practice?

Together in this Live Lab, we will build an activity that teaches AI literacy through exploration, not fear. Join us and equip students for the world they’re living in.

  • Session 1: Tuesday, September 1, 2026 (1st Tuesday) 
  • Session 2:  Tuesday, September 22, 2026 (4th Tuesday)
  • Time: 4:00 pm-4:45 pm PT
  • Virtual
  • REGISTER HERE
  • Price: $35 or Free for CALIE Members
What Are CALIE Live Labs?

CALIE Live Labs is not just another PD opportunity—it’s a paradigm shift in how educators can learn and grow.

If you’re tired of:

  • Professional development that feels like wasted time
  • Knowing about tools but never feeling confident enough to use them
  • Innovating alone without support or recognition
  • Learning that doesn’t connect to your classroom or campus

Then Live Labs is built for you.

You’ll create real resources, connect with real educators, receive real recognition, and walk away with real confidence. And you’ll do it in a way that actually fits into your life, not another obligation that drains you, but an experience that energizes and empowers you.

CALIE Live Labs are for educators at any grade level or role who want practical, collaborative support solving real classroom and school challenges. 

No prior experience with specific tools is required—Live Labs focus on adaptable strategies that work across classrooms, roles, and contexts.

Key Features of CALIE Live Labs
  • Create, Don’t Just Consume
    Every Lab ends with a ready-to-use classroom artifact; practical, tested, and yours.
  • A Two-Week Learn–Build–Refine Cycle
    Learn together, create on your own time, then return to share, get feedback, and improve.
  • Learn Alongside Educators Who Get It
    Collaborate with educators across grade levels and contexts. No isolation, just shared problem-solving.
  • Low-Risk Experimentation, Real Impact
    Try new ideas with support from facilitators and peers in a space designed for iteration, not perfection.
  • Your Work Lives Beyond the Lab
    Earn recognition, contribute to shared resource collections, and be part of a growing library of educator-created work.
Learn More
Register Now

Creating Authentic Assessment in the AI Era

October Live Lab: Creating Authentic Assessment in the AI Era

Anyone else finding that traditional assessments no longer measure what you actually care about—student thinking, growth, and understanding? Do you need assessments that capture learning in ways AI can’t replicate, but redesigning everything feels impossible?

If AI can pass your assessment, you’re not measuring what matters.

In our final Live Lab, we will redesign one assessment to capture actual student thinking in ways AI can’t fake. Sign up and finally assess what you care about—not just what’s easy to grade.

  • Session 1 Tuesday, October 6, 2026 (1st Tuesday)
  • Session 2:  Tuesday, October 27, 2026 (4th Tuesday)
  • Time: 4:00 pm-4:45 pm PT
  • Virtual
  • REGISTER HERE
  • Price: $35 or Free for CALIE Members

What are CALIE Live Labs?

CALIE Live Labs is not just another PD opportunity—it’s a paradigm shift in how educators can learn and grow.

If you’re tired of:

  • Professional development that feels like wasted time
  • Knowing about tools but never feeling confident enough to use them
  • Innovating alone without support or recognition
  • Learning that doesn’t connect to your classroom or campus

Then Live Labs is built for you.

You’ll create real resources, connect with real educators, receive real recognition, and walk away with real confidence. And you’ll do it in a way that actually fits into your life, not another obligation that drains you, but an experience that energizes and empowers you.

CALIE Live Labs are for educators at any grade level or role who want practical, collaborative support solving real classroom and school challenges. 

No prior experience with specific tools is required—Live Labs focus on adaptable strategies that work across classrooms, roles, and contexts.

Key Features of CALIE Live Labs
  • Create, Don’t Just Consume
    Every Lab ends with a ready-to-use classroom artifact; practical, tested, and yours.
  • A Two-Week Learn–Build–Refine Cycle
    Learn together, create on your own time, then return to share, get feedback, and improve.
  • Learn Alongside Educators Who Get It
    Collaborate with educators across grade levels and contexts. No isolation, just shared problem-solving.
  • Low-Risk Experimentation, Real Impact
    Try new ideas with support from facilitators and peers in a space designed for iteration, not perfection.
  • Your Work Lives Beyond the Lab
    Earn recognition, contribute to shared resource collections, and be part of a growing library of educator-created work.
Learn More
Register Now

Introducing CALIE Live Labs: Where Educators Learn, Build, and Belong

Posted on by TeamCalie

What if professional learning was the best part of your month?

Not another sit-and-get.
Not another tool you know about but don’t quite use.
Not another lonely attempt at innovation after hours.

That’s the idea behind CALIE Live Labs, a new professional learning series built around collaboration, creation, and community.

Live Labs is designed for educators who want to learn with others, not in isolation. Each session brings together educators to explore practical challenges, experiment with solutions, and create meaningful resources they can use in their classrooms and schools.

What Makes Live Labs Different?

Live Labs are about solving instructional and leadership challenges alongside peers who get it. Every month focuses on one classroom-based problem and follows a simple, supportive rhythm: learn together, create something real, and share what you’ve built with a trusted community.

This is professional learning that values your time, your expertise, and your creativity.

If you’ve ever felt frustrated by:

  • Professional development that doesn’t translate into practice
  • Knowing tools exist but lacking confidence to use them
  • Innovating alone without feedback or support
  • Learning experiences disconnected from your classroom or campus

Live Labs was built with you in mind.

The Live Labs Learning Loop

Live Labs follow a simple two-week learning loop where educators learn a practical skill, create and test an artifact in their own context, then return to share work, exchange feedback, and learn from one another.

2026 Live Labs Schedule

March–October 2026 1st and 4th Tuesdays | 4:00–4:45 PM PST

Each month includes two sessions, allowing time to try, reflect, and refine.

Try Live Labs on Us! The first Live Labs session is free for all educators.

Pricing and Participation

  • All sessions are FREE for CALIE members
  • $35 per session for non-members

You won’t just attend—you’ll contribute, collaborate, and be recognized for your work.

Why Live Labs Matter

Live Labs represents a shift in how professional learning can feel: energizing instead of draining, collaborative instead of isolating, practical instead of theoretical. 

If you’re ready to learn, create, and collaborate with educators who believe professional growth should be community-driven, CALIE Live Labs is for you.

We can’t wait to build alongside you.

Register Today

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the Live Labs learning loop work?

Each Live Lab follows a two-week learning loop: a short, focused live session to learn a practical strategy, time to apply and adapt it in your own context, and a follow-up session to share work, exchange feedback, and learn from peers.

Why do Live Labs utilize the Learning Loop format?

New learning has a higher likelihood of becoming a permanent part of an educator’s practice when they can practice and iterate. Live Labs moves away from the one-and-done format to truly incorporate collective efficacy with colleagues and just-in-time reflection on the implementation process.

What will I leave with after a Live Lab?

You’ll leave with a usable artifact you created yourself—something ready to use or adapt in your classroom, school, or role, along with ideas and examples from other educators.

Do I need prior experience with specific tools or technologies?

No. Live Labs are designed to be accessible for all educators, regardless of prior experience. Support, examples, and multiple entry points are built in so you can engage at a level that makes sense for you.

Will participants receive recognition for their work after the Live Labs series?

Yes. Participants may choose to have their work included in a curated post–Live Labs guidebook that features educator-created artifacts and ideas developed across the eight-month series. This optional recognition highlights professional learning in action and elevates educator practice and voice.

Simple Steps for Crafting a District AI Policy: How to share this infographic with school leaders

Posted on by TeamCalie

If you’ve been paying attention to how tech is transforming education this past year, you know AI is on the scene. It’s not just a buzzword anymore; it’s real, and it’s happening now. As exciting as it is, bringing AI into our schools isn’t just about flipping a switch. We need to be smart and strategic about it. Based on the Edutopia article, “4 Simple Steps for Crafting a District AI Policy,” this original CUE infographic includes tips covering everything from ethics to practical applications of AI.

Think about this infographic as a helpful conversation-starter to navigate the steps needed to develop policies in our AI world. It breaks down the complexities into manageable pieces, helping you and your leadership team understand concepts like data privacy, AI bias, and how to use these tools effectively. Feel empowered to discuss how AI has the potential to benefit everyone and align with your district’s mission and values. And feel free to remind your team that a strong and thoughtful policy will help avoid pitfalls like biased algorithms and security issues while promoting innovation.

So how can you get this information to the right people on your team? 

  • Distribute through Email: Email distribution can provide direct access to the infographic, allowing leaders to review and reflect on the content at their convenience. 

Here’s a sample AI Prompt for a related email that you can customize for your community:

  • You are an educator concerned about developing an AI policy for <your school district> but unable to draft the policy yourself. Compose an email to <your school leader> sharing an infographic that discusses simple steps to crafting a district AI policy. The email is the beginning of a conversation, so make sure the tone is <friendly, approachable, and action-oriented.> Offer to assist in the policy development and explain that you’re willing to meet to discuss this further.
  • Print Copies and Hand Them Out: Hand out printed copies of the infographic to your peers or drop it into their mailboxes. Having a printed copy of the resource on your desk can actually serve as a reminder to follow up about it and learn more.
  • Share at a Staff Meetings: Share the infographic during leadership meetings, weekly staff meetings, and professional development workshops. This opens up the floor for discussions and helps turn these ideas into action plans.

Get inspiration from these discussion stems and make them you own:

  • “A big takeaway from this infographic is how we need to think about ethical concerns, like…”
  • “To keep our district on the cutting edge with AI, we can use the tips in this infographic by…”
  • “Using the insights from this infographic in our plans, we can really boost our teaching methods by…”
  • “One key point is how we can use AI to better support our students’ learning needs, such as…”
  • “The infographic highlights the importance of involving caregivers in the AI policy process by…”

Discuss at a Personal Meeting: Make an appointment with your school leader/s and offer the infographic in advance. Making sure you both come to the meeting aware of the topic and the resource being shared increases confidence and creates a more comfortable starting place for discussion.

Find Someone to Share it on Your Behalf: Not in a position to meet with the school leaders who need this information? Seek out someone who can present it to the leadership team for you. Connecting with thought partners and advocates is a crucial step in building capacity.

You are already dialed into this important conversation by simply exploring this infographic. Now, you’re ready to spread this resource through multiple channels. Make sure you’ve done your part to ensure that everyone is prepared to use AI in a way that’s ethical, effective, and ultimately awesome for our students.