From Passive to Powerful:
Teaching a Distracted Generation to Create
Plenary Description
We are teaching a generation shaped by constant distraction where student engagement and behavior remain top concerns, even in classrooms filled with limitless creative potential. This keynote offers a powerful shift in perspective: the issue isn’t the device but more focused on how it is being used. Educators will be challenged to rethink device use, moving from passive consumption to purposeful creation. Discover how fostering creativity not only increases engagement and improves behavior, but also helps students develop focus, agency, and a deeper connection to their learning. Walk away inspired to create classrooms where both students and teachers thrive.
Plenary Outcomes
Participants will leave this session with the ability to identify gaps between student consumption and creation in their current practice and rethink how devices are used to better support engagement, behavior, and focus. They will gain strategies to redesign learning experiences that prioritize student creation and agency, while also walking away with immediate, actionable steps they can implement in their classrooms or schools.
Presenter Biography
Kristen Brooks | Innovative Learning Specialist | #EDU LLC
Email: kristenbrooks77@gmail.com
LinkedIn
X/Twitter
Instagram
For 30 years, Kristen Brooks has dedicated her career to transforming classrooms into creative, student-centered learning spaces powered by technology. The last 21 years, she’s been on the frontlines of Educational Technology as an innovative learning specialist and instructional technology coach, leading teachers and students to reimagine what’s possible. Kristen believes education is at its best when creativity meets innovation. Her passion lies in empowering educators to design AI driven learning experiences that amplify student voice, spark curiosity, & build future ready skills, rather than only consumers of AI driven content. More than a tech coach, Kristen is a connector, mentor, & fearless advocate for student creativity. A featured speaker at national conferences including ASU+GSV, FETC, ISTE+ASCD, GaETC, & NAEYC, Kristen is known for inspiring, actionable sessions that energize educators and ignite classrooms. She was recently named as an ASU+GSV 2025 AI Innovator and is honored to be an ISTE 20 to Watch Award recipient. Kristen proudly serves as an ISTE+ASCD Community Leader, Apple Distinguished Educator, Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert, Minecraft Global Education Ambassador and Adobe Creative Educator Innovator.
