The SOE Alumni Association hosted its first EdTech Mini-conference at LMU on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018, where educators in Los Angeles gathered to explore the topic of educational technology with the theme of Engaging Learners through Technology.
SOE students and alumni, and local educators, discussed the impact of technology in education and explored the innovative uses of technology through the lens of classroom teachers, education support services personnel, as well as site and system-wide administrators.
Chet Pipkin, Founder and Chairman at Belkin International, delivered the keynote address, providing inspiration and a framework for how educators, parents and the community should perceive the impact of technology on all learners.
“We need to meet kids where they are,” said Pipkin. “We need innovative thinkers trying to figure out the best way to reach all students – foster kids, homeless kids, out-of-school kids – and how to bring education to them.”
Click here to watch Pipkin’s full keynote address.
In addition, a dynamic lineup of expert panelists across various educational sectors discussed several topics on technology in the classroom.
Roy Quinto, Ed.D. ’14, Chair of the LMU School of Education’s Alumni Association, moderated an expert panel, which included:
- Shawna Draxton, Ph.D., WISH Charter Schools
- Sophia Mendoza, Los Angeles Unified School District
- Fatima Nicdao, M.A. ’09, M.A. ’16, St. Bernard High School
- Danitza Pantoja, Psy.D., B.A. ’98, M.A. ’01, Antelope Valley Union High School District
- Shannon Tabaldo, M.A. ’09, LMU School of Education and iDEAL Institute
“With technology in the classroom, you can buy back 30 percent of your day,” said Shannon Tabaldo, director of LMU SOE Digital Curriculum Integration and Development, and founding director of the LMU iDEAL Institute. “This means you can have more time for meaningful engagement with students and impactful instruction.”
The mini-conference also provided attendees with the opportunity to engage in hands-on professional development workshops led by Apple, Google for Education and the LMU iDEAL Institute.
Attendees also connected with other leaders in the EdTech industry including Best Buy for Education, CS Workshops, Saylo Classroom, Scrible, PASCO Scientific and Robo3D.
The event was made possible with the support of the SOE Alumni Association Board Alumni Engagement Committee –chaired by Maggie Bove-LaMonica, J.D. ’13, M.A. ’05 – and the LMU iDEAL Institute – led by Shannon Tabaldo.
Click here to view pictures of the event on Flickr.
