Date: Oct 31, 2025
Time: 9:30am – 3:00pm
Innovation without the budget
Tired of hearing about amazing and flashy educational technology tools that cost more than your entire budget? This workshop is for educators who want to innovate without breaking the bank. Join fellow educators for hands-on and demonstration sessions featuring practical EdTech solutions you can use immediately. Our presenters share real classroom examples using free tools, creative ways to repurpose existing resources, and collaborative approaches that don’t require large investments.
Join this participatory workshop where you will connect with other educators to actively try out tools, participate in demonstrations, and ask questions. Each presenter will showcase examples of successful implementation using affordable tech in their own teaching practice.The day will begin with a guided networking and socializing opportunity where you can come and chat with colleagues over coffee, and then we will continue with interactive presentations. The workshop will end mid-afternoon so that you can get home in time for trick-or-treating!
Educational technology doesn’t have to be expensive to be effective. Discover what’s possible when educators share resourceful solutions and collaborate to solve common challenges.
Call for Proposals
Session options:
- 50 minutes, including Q&A (ideal for interactive sessions)
- 20 minutes, including Q&A (ideal for show-and-tell, demonstrations, etc.)
We’re looking for presenters who can share practical examples in the following areas:
Affordable Technology Options
Present your real-world experience with budget-friendly tech solutions:
- Free or open-source software that delivers results in your teaching
- Creative ways you’ve repurposed existing educational technology
- How you maximize tools your institution already provides
Open Educational Resources (OER)
Share your approach to working with free educational content:
- Creating original OER materials on a limited budget
- Adapting existing OER resources for your specific needs
- Building sharing networks to expand available resources
Partnership Approaches
Demonstrate collaborative strategies that stretch budgets:
- Cross-institutional partnerships that share costs and resources
- Department collaborations that pool technology budgets
- Community partnerships that provide mutual benefits
Cost-Saving Technology Strategies
Show how you get more from less:
- Simplifying complex tech setups to focus on essential functions
- Using basic tools in innovative ways to achieve advanced results
- Making the most of institutional technology rather than seeking ideal solutions
DIY Solutions
Present your creative, low-cost setups:
- Budget recording studios using everyday items and affordable equipment
- Homemade tools and resources that solve common teaching challenges
- Simple tech hacks that deliver professional results without professional prices