Tech Lasso

🎧 In this insightful episode, Jen Roberts, an experienced and innovative high school English teacher, describes the transformative impact of AI in Education. The discussion explores both the challenges and opportunities AI presents, from combating plagiarism to enhancing individual learning experiences. Jen shares practical strategies and personal anecdotes to illustrate how AI tools can be integrated responsibly into educational practices to foster critical thinking and authenticity among students. 📚✍️ 

🏫 In addition to teaching English at Point Loma High School in San Diego, Jen is the author of Power Up: Making the Shift to 1:1 Teaching and Learning. She is also the author of the Lit and Tech blog. I consider her to be a thought leader regarding how technology supports the teaching of Language Arts. She is a national board-certified teacher and a Google Certified Innovator. 🌟 In 2022 Jen was named the CUE Outstanding Educator. 🏆 

Links 

Production Notes:     

🤝 Tech Lasso is produced in collaboration with the Instructional Technology Outreach (ITO) Coordinators, with support from the LACOE Technology, Learning & Support Services Department.  

📣 The views expressed in the podcast are those of the presenters and may not be endorsed by the Los Angeles County Office of Education or the respective organizations of the guests.  

💡 If you have recommendations/feedback for us or an interest in being a guest, please let us know. Twitter/X @lacoe_ito | Facebook @lacoeITO | LinkedIn @lacoe-ito |  [email protected]  

🎵 Media credits: Soundtrap, MusicFX, StableAudio, Canva, ChatGPT4, Google Gemini, Claude.ai  

🙏 Many thanks to Spotify and Spotify for Podcasters for syndication and support. 

In this episode of Tech Lasso, hosts Mark Schwanz and Scott Moss welcome special guest Shirin Laor-Raz Salemnia, founder of WhizGirls Academy and PlayWerks. They are joined by their LACOE colleague, Anthony Quan who is Coordinator III for Science and STEM. The discussion explores the empowering initiatives led by Shirin to promote STEM education, her intriguing journey from aspiring to work at Mattel to becoming an influential figure in educational tech, and the broader impacts of gender inclusivity in STEM fields. 

Shirin is a pioneering entrepreneur in the field of educational technology with a focus on STEM for girls. With her background in Child and Family Consumer Studies and Psychology from California State University, Northridge (CSUN), Shirin embarked on a career that spans over two decades, including significant roles at major toy companies like Mattel and MGA Entertainment. Her professional journey is marked by a relentless pursuit of her passions, leading to the establishment of Wiz Girls Academy, which aims to inspire the next generation of female leaders in STEM. 

🔗 Shirin Laor-Raz Salemnia www.shirinlaorrazsalemnia.com 

 ✨ WhizGirls Academy www.whizgirlsacademy.com 

🚀 PlayWerks, Inc. www.play-werks.com 

💬 Socials: Instagram | Facebook | X | LinkedIn 

Production Notes:     

🤝 Tech Lasso is produced in collaboration with the Instructional Technology Outreach (ITO) Coordinators, with support from the LACOE Technology, Learning & Support Services Department.  

📣 The views expressed in the podcast are those of the presenters and may not be endorsed by the Los Angeles County Office of Education or the respective organizations of the guests.  

💡 If you have recommendations/feedback for us or an interest in being a guest, please let us know. Twitter/X @lacoe_ito | Facebook @lacoeITO | LinkedIn @lacoe-ito |  [email protected]  

🎵 Media credits: Soundtrap, MusicFX, StableAudio, Canva, ChatGPT4, Google Gemini, Claude.ai  

🙏 Many thanks to Spotify for Podcasters for syndication and support. 

Join us in this engaging episode as co-hosts Mark and Scott delve into the latest advancements and discussions from the forefront of educational technology. Fresh from attending three conferences, Scott brings some fresh insights. Whether you're curious about innovative EdTech startups from the ASU+GSV Summit, interested in AI in bilingual education updates from NABE, or intrigued by AI's impact on teaching and learning at CUE, this episode has something for everyone. Tune in to stay updated on how these developments are reshaping the educational landscape and what they mean for educators and learners alike.  

Links  

 🤖AI Revolution in Education (AIR Show) 

 💬 Computer Using Educators (CUE) 

 🗣️ LACOE - National AI Literacy Day (4/29/2024)

 📖 National Association for Bilingual Education (NABE) 

🎙️ Leveraging AI to Support English Learners and their Teachers (NABE) 

🌟 Integrating Algorithm Awareness in Elementary Curricula (CUE) 

🚀 LitCS : Supercharging K-5 Comprehension & Writing through Computer Science from Katherine Goyette at the 2024 CUE Conference 

✨ MIT RAISE 

📚 Sure Start 

Production Notes:     

🤝 Tech Lasso is produced in collaboration with the Instructional Technology Outreach (ITO) Coordinators, with support from the LACOE Technology, Learning & Support Services Department.  

📣 The views expressed in the podcast are those of the presenters and may not be endorsed by the Los Angeles County Office of Education or the respective organizations of the guests.  

💡 If you have recommendations/feedback for us or an interest in being a guest, please let us know.   

🔗 Connect with us on social media:  

🎵 Media credits: Soundtrap, MusicFX, StableAudio, Canva, ChatGPT4, Google Gemini, Claude.ai  

🙏 Many thanks to Spotify and Spotify for Podcasters for syndication and support.  

In this episode, we dive into the innovative world of AI in education, exploring its potential to 🌟 enhance teaching and learning experiences. We're joined by our colleagues Michelle Parga & Cathy Rodriguez to discuss how AI Chatbots are revolutionizing the way teachers design differentiated, cross curricular lessons. 🔍 Discover how this technology is making education more engaging and personalized, fostering social-emotional growth among students. Tune in to learn how AI can be a game-changer in educational settings. 

Michelle Parga is a retired Director of Technology Learning and Support Services with over 30 years of experience, has dedicated her career to integrating technology in education. With a background in leading state and federal projects, she has made significant contributions to educational technology in various roles. Michele is a well-regarded speaker, having shared her expertise locally, nationally, and internationally. Passionate about the potential of AI in education, she advocates for its role in enhancing global education goals to benefit students worldwide. 

Cathy Rodriguez is a Coordinator II with Instructional Technology Outreach at Los Angeles County Office of Education and, like Michelle, has over 30 years of experience in education and technology. She is inspired by emerging technologies such as the Metaverse, Immersive, virtual, and augmented reality and their use in the classroom. She has a background in sales and marketing, and teaching experience as an adjunct professor at USC, Pepperdine University, UCLA, and Cerritos Community College.  

Links & Resources:  

🔍 For more information on the ISTE AI in Education courses: https://iste.org/ai  

🤖Our ChatBot Eddie the Lesson Guru: https://poe.com/Eddie_Lesson_Guru 

💬 https://poe.com/ Poe lets you ask questions, get instant answers, and have back-and-forth conversations with AI. Gives access to GPT-4, gpt-3.5-turbo, Claude from Anthropic, and a variety of other bots. Free and subscription options are available.  

📚 Immersive Reader Chrome Extension 

Acknowledgments: 

🙏 Many thanks to Spotify and Spotify for Podcasters for syndication and support. Special thanks to Michelle Parga and Cathy Rodriguez for sharing their insights and experiences with AI in education. And as always, thank you to our listeners for joining us on this journey through the evolving landscape of educational technology. 

🤝 Tech Lasso is produced in collaboration with the Instructional Technology Outreach (ITO) Coordinators, with support from the LACOE Technology, Learning & Support Services Department. 

📣 The views expressed in the podcast are those of the presenters and may not be endorsed by the Los Angeles County Office of Education or the respective organizations of the guests. 

💡 If you have recommendations/feedback for us or an interest in being a guest, please let us know.  

🔗 Connect with us: Twitter/X @lacoe_ito | Facebook @lacoeITO | LinkedIn @lacoe-ito | Email: [email protected] 

🎵 Media credits: Bensound.com, Soundtrap, Canva, ChatGPT4, DallE, Google Gemini,  

This episode of "Tech Lasso" features Dr. Scott Petri, a distinguished social studies teacher and educational leader. Scott, who has been teaching since 2003 and has held various roles within LAUSD, discusses his innovative approach to teaching social studies.

Rather than focusing solely on facts and dates, Scott emphasizes making the subject relevant and engaging for students by fostering higher order thinking skills and inquiry-based learning. He shares insights on utilizing technology and various pedagogical strategies, such as project-based learning, to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes.

Scott also delves into the importance of developing students' presentation skills and the use of AI tools to facilitate classroom discussions and improve listening skills. The episode covers Dr. Petri’s efforts to prepare students for the challenges of higher education and the workforce by making learning more interactive and reflective of real-world problems.

Sections/Chapters

Introduction to Dr. Scott Petri (00:00:13)

Rethinking Social Studies Education (00:01:00): Discussion on shifting the focus from traditional fact-based teaching to inquiry-based learning that engages students.

Utilizing Technology in the Classroom (00:06:07): Exploring the use of various technology tools and strategies to enhance student speaking and listening skills.

Importance of Communication Skills (00:08:41): Emphasizing the need for strong communication skills in professional settings, especially in medicine.

AI and Education (00:18:39): Discussing the use of AI tools to support learning and facilitate classroom discussions.

Student Engagement and Listening Skills (00:27:16): Strategies to improve students' listening skills through tools like Listen Wise.

Reflecting on the Use of AI in Writing Assignments (00:44:16): Addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by AI-generated assignments.

Collaborative Learning and Real-World Application (00:51:27): Stressing the importance of teamwork and real-world applicability of classroom learning.

Links

📚 Eduprotocols

🤖 Four AI Tools for Any Classroom by Dr. Scott Petri

🎧 Listenwise

🗣️ LACOE Speaking and Listening Workshop by Dr. Scott Petri

📖 StoryFile: https://storyfile.com

🧠 Sherpa Labs: https://sherpalabs.co

🏛️ Socratic Smackdown: Download PDF

🎙️ TeachFX: https://teachfx.com/

Production Notes:

🤝 Tech Lasso is produced in collaboration with the Instructional Technology Outreach (ITO) Coordinators, with support from the LACOE Technology, Learning & Support Services Department.

📣 The views expressed in the podcast are those of the presenters and may not be endorsed by the Los Angeles County Office of Education or the respective organizations of the guests.

💡 If you have recommendations/feedback for us or an interest in being a guest, please let us know.

🔗 Connect with us on social media: Instagram | LinkedIn⁠ | Twitter/X | Email: [email protected]

🎵 Media credits: Soundtrap, MusicFX, StableAudio, Canva, ChatGPT4, Google Gemini, Claude.ai

🙏 Many thanks to Spotify and Spotify for Podcasters for syndication and support.

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Tovi Spero and Jonathan Bijur share about their respective organizations, AWFS and reDiscover, and talk about the value of makerspaces, tinkering, woodworking, and design thinking, with outcomes like careers in the trades, design and engineering skills, and environmental awareness through sustainable maker practices. 

🌎 Earth Day Sustainable Art Festival at Mid City reDiscover Center 

"Celebrate Earth Day with hands-on sustainable art and STEAM activities at the Mid City reDiscover Center. This huge event will have multiple activity booths for littles, families, and teens, hands-on woodshop demos, refreshments, performances, and special guests. Join reDiscover and turn discards into art this Earth Day."

Tovi Spero is the Education Director for AWFS, a not-for-profit trade association supporting the woodworking industry in Southern California and nationally. Tovi came into the role he is in now after 13 years of teaching STEM at the high school and college levels including physics, astronomy, engineering, and robotics. Tovi helped train pre-service STEM teachers at Rutgers University, his alma mater, in a graduate level course on integrating engineering in science courses, standards-based assessment practices, and guided inquiry. He has taught in public schools on the east coast, private boarding and day schools across the US, and charters in LA county. Tovi has a BS in Physics and MEd in Physics Education from Rutgers University. 

Production Notes:   

Tech Lasso is produced in collaboration with the Instructional Technology Outreach (ITO) Coordinators with support from the LACOE Technology, Learning & Support Services Department.       

The views expressed in the podcast are those of the presenters and may not be endorsed by the Los Angeles County Office of Education or the respective organizations of the guests.     

If you have recommendations or feedback for us, please ⁠complete this form⁠.   

Twitter/X @lacoe_ito  |  Facebook @lacoeITO  |  LinkedIn @lacoe-ito |  ⁠[email protected]⁠     

Media credits: Soundtrap, MusicFX, StableAudio, Canva, ChatGPT4, Google Gemini 

Many thanks to Spotify and Spotify for Podcasters for syndication and support. 

In this special episode hosts Mark Schwanz and Scott Moss tap into the dynamic world of scholastic esports 🏫🕹️ with guests Alvaro Brito, Larry Hood, and Emmanuel Alvarado. They explore the journey of integrating e-sports into the curriculum 📖, the profound impact on student engagement 💡, academic performance 📈, and the development of critical soft skills. The discussion also highlights the challenges and future aspirations of the program 🚀, aiming to foster a well-rounded educational experience through the lens of gaming 🎮. This episode sheds light on the transformative power of e-sports in education and the collaborative efforts to elevate student success both in and out of the classroom 🌟. 

Alvaro Brito leads the Innovation Labs, Robotics programs, Esports, and STEAM programs at Compton Unified School District, while also supporting teachers with 21st-century learning methods. He was recognized as the district's Teacher of the Year for his remote teaching and innovation leadership. 

Larry Hood, a pioneering educator and esports coach, blends education with artificial intelligence and esports. As a key figure at Compton Early College, ranked #36 in California, he teaches advanced AP Computer Science and Game Design, contributing significantly to its national standing. Hood is a leader in artificial intelligence, focusing on Generative Pre-trained Transformers (GPTs), enhancing both learning and practical applications. 

In esports, he excels as the strategic coach of successful Rocket League and Super Smash Bros teams, achieving prominence in the High School Esports League and California Interscholastic Federation. His coaching, enriched by AI and game design, fosters skills, teamwork, and competitive spirit. Hood's dual focus on education and esports, powered by his AI expertise, marks him as a notable figure in gaming and education, inspiring future generations. 

Emmanuel Alvarado excels as a Verizon STREAM Lab technician, Esports and Robotics FLL coach, and Drone mentor at Whaley Middle School (Compton Unified School District). His expertise in integrating STEAM into the curriculum, alongside fostering competitive gaming, robotics, and drone technology skills, highlights his dedication to enhancing students' learning experiences. Emmanuel's work is pivotal in promoting teamwork, strategic thinking, and innovation, preparing students to excel in dynamic fields and realize their potential in a stimulating educational setting. Whaley MS Esports Whaley STREAM Lab 

Other links: 

Production Notes:   

Tech Lasso is produced in collaboration with the Instructional Technology Outreach (ITO) Coordinators with support from the Technology, Learning & Support Services Department.       

The views expressed in the podcast are those of the presenters and may not be endorsed by the Los Angeles County Office of Education or the respective organizations of the guests.     

If you have recommendations or feedback for us, please ⁠complete this form⁠. 

Music: Bensound, MusicFX, Stable Audio

Graphics and Text: Canva, ChatGPT, Gemini

🎙️ Summary 

In this episode of Tech Lasso, hosts Mark Schwanz and Scott Moss introduce Noah and Daniel Egland, high school students who founded CalSTEM.org, a nonprofit aimed at making Science Technology Engineering and Math education accessible to students of all backgrounds. Inspired by their own passion for 🤖robotics and coding💻, the Egland brothers began by participating in robotics competitions, which led them to recognize the disparity in STEM opportunities for students, particularly in underprivileged communities. They discuss the evolution of CalSTEM, from after-school programs to comprehensive, video-based curriculums that include AI and robotics, emphasizing the importance of making these resources available to underrepresented students. Their efforts have not only garnered recognition from California State Superintendent Thurman but also paved the way for expanding their impact to schools across California, with a goal to reach 100 schools within the year.  

Noah and Daniel Egland, senior and junior respectively at Las Lomas High School in Walnut Creek, California, founded CalSTEM.org to help California middle and high schoolers learn valuable STEM skills at low or zero cost. Their video-based training model enables teachers to provide classes without needing to be expert in the topics, which currently include robotics and generative AI software, covering the basics of retrieval, augmented generation and prompt engineering. 

Questions? 📧 Contact: [email protected] 

🔗 Links 

🎥 Production Notes 

Tech Lasso is produced in collaboration with the Instructional Technology Outreach (ITO) Coordinators with support from the Technology, Learning & Support Services Department.       

The views expressed in the podcast are those of the presenters and may not be endorsed by the Los Angeles County Office of Education or the respective organizations of the guests.     

If you have recommendations or feedback for us, we’d love to hear from you,⌨️ please ⁠complete this form⁠ and/or contact [email protected].  

📱 Twitter/X @lacoe_ito | 📘 Facebook @lacoeITO | 💼 LinkedIn @lacoe-ito | 📧 ⁠[email protected]     

🚀 Help promote this episode: 

#CalSTEM, #STEMEducation, #RoboticsForAll, #InclusiveSTEM, #CaSTEAM, #FutureOfLearning, #TechInnovation, #YouthEmpowerment, #AIForEducation, #NSF 

Welcome to another enlightening episode of the Tech Lasso Podcast, where we explore the dynamic integration of technology into education. Today, we're delighted to have Dr. Ed Tse, a leading authority in user experience and ethical AI, sheds light on the importance of secure AI adoption among students and families. Dr. Tse's expertise lies in bridging technological advancements with ethical practices, ensuring AI's accessibility and safety for all. Tune in as we delve into how Dr. Tse's pioneering efforts equip both individuals and institutions for a future enriched by AI. 

Links 

Production Notes:   

Christine Jones is the Coordinator of Educational Technology at the Palmdale School District. Her district has over 22,000 students and is the 4th largest elementary district in California. She also worked for 14 years at LACOE. She was selected as the Association of California School Administrators Technology Administrator of the Year for 2023. 

Topics  

Production Notes  

Tech Lasso is produced in collaboration with the Instructional Technology Outreach (ITO) Coordinators with support from the Technology, Learning & Support Services Department.          

The views expressed in the podcast are those of the presenters and may not be endorsed by the Los Angeles County Office of Education or the respective organizations of the guests.      

If you have recommendations or feedback for us, please ⁠complete this form⁠.    

Twitter/X @lacoe_ito  |  Facebook @lacoeITO  |  LinkedIn @lacoe-ito |  ⁠[email protected]⁠       

Also, listen and follow us on Apple and Google podcasts.    

Produced by: [email protected], [email protected]     

AI assistance provided by: ChatGPT4, Google Gemini  

Media credits: Bensound, MusicFX, Canva, Soundtrap, Garageband    

Tech Lasso © 2024 by Technology, Learning & Support Services Department, Los Angeles County Office of Education is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0     

Suggested Hashtags for Sharing

#generativeAI #AIineducation #K8education #edtech #educationaltechnology #digitalcitizenship #medialiteracy #responsibleAI