The Ohio EduProtocols Roadshow on October 25, 2024, at the Northern Buckeye Education Council’s headquarters brought together educators from Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, and West Virginia for an unforgettable day of learning, collaboration, and inspiration. This transformative professional development event showcased the power of EduProtocols to revolutionize teaching, engage students, and create lasting impacts in classrooms, schools, and districts.
EduProtocols in Action
The day featured a lineup of authors and hotshots who modeled EduProtocols in real time, helping attendees see how these strategies could transform their classrooms:
Jon Corippo, co-founder of EduProtocols, energized the room with his dynamic presentations on Fast and Curious and Random Emoji Paragraph. Teachers saw how these strategies transform formative assessments into interactive, game-like experiences and writing tasks into creative, student-centered activities.
Adam Moler, co-author of the EduProtocols Field Guide Social Studies Edition, engaged participants with his session on Sketch and Tell-O. He demonstrated how blending visual storytelling with core content gives students meaningful opportunities to express understanding in innovative ways while building their creativity and engagement.
Dominic Helmstetter, a national presenter and EduProtocols hotshot, wowed attendees with his session on Thin Slides. He showed how students could synthesize information and develop presentation skills in under five minutes, sparking both creativity and confidence while making learning dynamic and efficient.
Dr. Randall Sampson, an EduProtocols champion, brought a unique perspective to the event by offering CEUs for participants and sharing compelling student growth data tied to EduProtocols. Randall highlighted how these strategies have led to measurable improvements in academic achievement, engagement, and classroom efficiency. His session inspired educators to think critically about how EduProtocols can foster long-term growth and success for their students.
Real-Time Insights: Addressing Educator Challenges
One of the most valuable aspects of the Roadshow was its emphasis on addressing real-world classroom challenges with practical solutions. At the end of the Roadshow, a Padlet board was set up and used for participants to ask questions and have them answered in real time. Key questions raised during the sessions highlighted the adaptability and effectiveness of EduProtocols in diverse settings:
- Grading Simplified Yet Impactful
A recurring question from attendees was: “How do I grade these activities?” Presenters emphasized keeping it simple. Most EduProtocols are designed for formative assessment during the week, relying on pass/fail or completion checks. Summative assessments, like final Thin Slides or Sketch and Tell-O presentations, can involve clear, rubric-based grading. For example, participation-based grading (e.g., completing 80% of Gimkit or Sketch tasks) or letter grades for final synthesis projects ensures accountability while reducing teacher workload.
“EduProtocols aren’t about piling on work for teachers or students—they’re about making learning visible and simplifying assessment in meaningful ways.”
- Tools That Support Engagement and Collaboration
Participants were curious about the best tools to use with EduProtocols. Presenters highlighted versatile platforms like Google Slides for Thin Slides, Padlet for Iron Chef-style collaboration, and Curipod for interactive, AI-driven lessons. These platforms make it easy for students to share, engage, and collaborate, fostering a classroom environment where every voice matters.
“The right tools make EduProtocols seamless and accessible. It’s about finding what works best for your students and classroom needs.”
- Creating a Safe, Collaborative Classroom Culture
A significant topic was how to foster a safe space where students feel confident sharing their work. Strategies included:
Using anonymous tools like Curipod for responses to avoid popularity bias.
Keeping activities fast-paced and light to reduce anxiety.
Reinforcing classroom norms and shutting down negativity quickly.
“EduProtocols build confidence because they focus on the process, not perfection. Students feel safe to try, share, and grow.”
- Balancing Engagement with Accountability
Educators asked: “What about students who only work if it’s graded?” The experts reassured them that the engagement built into EduProtocols—like the competition in Fast and Curious or the creativity in Sketch and Tell-O—naturally motivates students. For those who still struggle, incorporating visible progress, like tracking Gimkit scores or showcasing Thin Slides, can provide the accountability they need.
“When students see their progress in real time and know their work matters, engagement follows.”
A Teacher’s Perspective
The collaborative, solution-driven nature of the event resonated with educators. Angie Behnfeldt, a teacher from Stryker Schools, shared:
“I attended alone since EduProtocols are not yet widely known in my district, but now I can’t wait to share what I’ve learned. The testimonies, anecdotes, and data shared throughout the day were incredible. You’ve inspired all of us to roll up our sleeves and start teaching better while working less!”
Transform Your Teaching
The Ohio EduProtocols Roadshow wasn’t just another professional development session—it was a movement. Teachers left with practical tools, actionable strategies, and a renewed sense of purpose. The modeling of EduProtocols in real time showed how these tools can be adapted to any subject or grade level, creating classrooms where students are engaged, teachers are energized, and learning is visible.
“Watching educators light up as they realized how these tools could transform their classrooms reminded me why I love this work.” – Dominic Helmstetter
Don’t miss your chance to experience the EduProtocols Roadshow and join a growing community of educators transforming teaching and learning. Visit the EduProtocols Plus site and mark your calendar for the next event and prepare to unlock the full potential of your classroom!
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