“ICOE’s first annual ‘Innovation Day’ well attended”

On the morning of February 1, 2012, Imperial County education and business leaders sat in a room routed with wireless internet – smart phones, iPads and laptops in hand – while Dr. David Haglund, Director of Educational Options at Riverside Unified School District, instructed them on how to join a chat room-like poll online called “back channel” where they could pose questions, or just say hello, to demonstrate a new technique teachers can utilize in classroom discussion.

With the most recent questions appearing at the bottom of the screen, the instructor answered some, but let the audience know all questions are recorded and some could be answered later – in an email, or, in the case of a schoolroom setting, could be integrated into tomorrow’s lesson plan.
 

 This seminar was the beginning of many at the Imperial County Office of Education’s first annual “Innovation Day” hosted by the technology and curriculum departments on the ICOE’s main campus.
 

School district superintendents, ICOE department heads and members of the business community convened before lunch and the day continued with additional trainings for school principals and teachers in the afternoon. The daylong event was in conjunction with the nationwide “Digital Learning Day” where education leaders come together to promote innovation by summarizing effective ways to use 21st century technology tools in the classroom.
 

Dr. Haglund was one keynote speaker at the event where directors in education trained Imperial Valley leaders on ways they can remain relevant in a world of changing technology. Stephanie Hamilton, Apple Education Director in IT and Learning Technology, also spoke on the significance of keeping up with technology in schools.
 

“Trying to say no to technology,” Hamilton said, “is like trying to hold a tsunami back with your hand.”
 

She outlined ways teachers can use applications like iTunes U to substitute tangible textbooks with audio, video and downloadable books that can be viewed on a screen in front of class, or on a mobile device, like the iPad. She explained ways students can help teachers find resources and that learning can happen through collaboration between tech-savvy students and their instructors.

Expectations are changing, she said, and students are excited to learn through virtual interaction that has never been possible before.
 

Other speakers included Cheryl Lee, Apple Development Executive for K-12 Education, who spoke on “Innovation Planning” for a couple hours before a lunch break. Kathy Shirley, Director of Technology & Media Services at Escondido Unified School District, also spoke on “Technology tools in the classroom” to the principals and teachers after lunch.
 

The day wrapped up with demonstrations of the E2020 pilot program, currently utilized at the Del Rio Community School in Brawley, which was projected to the audience from a big screen in the Board Room. Others gathered in the newly renovated laboratory rooms to hear Alan Phillips, ICOE’s Assistant Director in Education Technology, speak on behalf of the Technology Department’s Innovation and Training Center – a fully wireless system complete with portable devices, like MacBook Air laptops, Chrome books and iPads occupying the working booths. Six big screens cover the walls, but the booths, described Phillips, can function collectively or on their own, when separated by a room divider.
 

Elena Castro, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, said she hopes to make this event an annual occurrence.
 

“Technology is in their DNA,” she said of modern day students. Bringing everyone together to discuss working 21st century skills into the curriculum is the best way to enhance the learning experience, she added. Juan Cruz, Senior Director of Curriculum at ICOE, agreed.
 

“We wanted everyone to hear the same message, because we need the joint responsibility to move forward,” he said about the idea that developed into actuality after ICOE staff   returned from San Diego County Office of Education’s Innovation Day last fall. ICOE leaders also attended a briefing at the Apple headquarters in Cupertino last March and a 21st century skills training in Texas in October that inspired the team to host their own day dedicated to creativity and innovation.
 

Fourteen of the 16 Imperial County school districts were represented Wednesday.  “The educators in attendance today were very excited by what they heard,” Anne Mallory, Imperial County Superintendent of Schools, said. “Some school districts expressed a need for leadership on how to implement and incorporate what we have learned,” she continued. “I’m confident we can do just that with the team we have in place.”
 

The undying topic of the state budget in the education system was mentioned throughout the day. “Change and adaption does not stop for budget cuts,” Cruz said. “We must ensure our programs are relevant for all our students.”