Concurrent
Session llI



Magic 101: Hogwarts School of Witchcraft
and Wizardry, and the Problems of Modern

Education
7 Haviland Street, Room 231

What can Harry Potter show us about the problems of
modern education? A lot. As an educational institution built
to instruct young witches and wizards in the ancient lore of
magic, Hogwarts is structured upon a modern pedagogy
that strives to standardize knowledge and learning. Thus,
education at Hogwarts is typically based on hierarchy and
authority; memorization and test-based assessment; and

a competitive system that revolves around theoretical
comprehension. Questioners are discouraged; teachers who
introduce innovative ways of learning, such as professor
Lupin, are forced out; and students are generally infantilized.
Learning at Hogwarts only really begins when the students
rebel and create a class of their own that is teacherless,
nonhierarchical, collaborative, and focused on solving real-
life problems. Participants in this session can expect to learn
about how modernity shapes educational institutions and
pedagogy and participate in sharing ideas that can help
bring the magic of learning back to their classes.
—Presented by: Marian Yee

—Hosted by: Linda Chase

Student Laptops: Turn “Distracting Devices”

into Engaging Tools
7 Haviland Street, Room 306

Laptops and smartphones can be a welcome classroom

companion. Are your students leveraging their personal

technology for success or distraction? Let’s discuss ways

you can encourage them to use these tools to engage and

bolster learning in and out of the classroom. This session will

explore workflows, apps, and new approaches to some of the

features your students use daily.

—Presented by: Adam Gojanovich, Marcus Hoige, and
Pamela Hersch

—Hosted by: Barbara LaFitte

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