Name: Prompting, Not Cheating: Building Authentic Literacy Skills in the AI Era - USBE + Google Sponsored Session
Start: 2026-07-16T13:50:00-0600
End: 2026-07-16T14:50:00-0600

Welcome to URSA 2026 at Southern Utah University! All sessions will be in buildings on the upper campus (east end). Here’s the Campus Map (PDF) if needed.

WiFi: eduroam or SUU-Conference, password "summertimefun"

PLAN AHEAD - Tentative Future Conference Dates
July 7-9, 2027 - Price, UT
July 17-19, 2028 - Richfield, UT

Prompting, Not Cheating: Building Authentic Literacy Skills in the AI Era - USBE + Google Sponsored Session

Thursday July 16, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm MDT

ED 104 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 104

🎉 Get $200 for your classroom! Just attend any 3 of the 8 available USBE+Google sessions in ED 104 to qualify for a USBE-sponsored $200 DonorsChoose classroom credit! 📝🚀

Whether your school allows student AI use or has it completely blocked, learn how to use Gemini on your terms to spark critical thinking, design bulletproof writing prompts, and keep academic integrity intact.

Let’s be honest: AI has completely changed the game for student writing assignments, and every district in Utah is handling it a little differently. Whether your students have access to Gemini, use tools like SchoolAI, or are restricted to good old-fashioned paper and pencil, this session is for you. We are skipping the tech-heavy lectures and focusing on practical, "use-it-on-Monday" literacy strategies.

In this relaxed session, we will look at AI from two vital angles. First, you'll discover how to use Gemini as your backend partner to instantly generate customized reading guides, low-screen vocabulary match games, and writing prompts that are too localized for an AI to fake. Second, for districts allowing student access, we’ll explore how to teach students to use Gemini responsibly—treating it like a live brainstorming buddy for outlining and critical thinking rather than a shortcut button. You’ll walk away with flexible, cheat-resistant assignment ideas that fit your specific district’s rules perfectly.

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: Not applicable

Participants MAY FIND IT USEFUL to have one or more of the following platforms/devices during this session: Any web-enabled device is recommended.

Speakers

Chris McCaffrey

Google Certified Trainer & Coach, Google ~ Kiker Learning

Chris McCaffrey is a Google for Education Certified Trainer & Coach as well as the Coordinator of Innovation, while managing the virtual academy at Wilson School District in PA. Drawing from over 25 years in education—including experience as a school board director, adjunct professor... Read More →

Thursday July 16, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm MDT
ED 104 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 104 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

Educational Technology - including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Session Format 1 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience Teachers
Subject Area Any Subject Area

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2026 Utah Rural Schools Conference

Chris McCaffrey

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2026 Utah Rural Schools Conference

Chris McCaffrey

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