Description

This episode of Tech Lasso dives into the transformative power of media in education, featuring insights from Hall Davidson and Mike Lawrence, experts in the field of educational technology and media production. The discussion orbits around the California Student Media Festival (CSMF) and its impact on students and educators.  

Mike Lawrence has worked as a classroom teacher, administrator, technology coordinator and CEO of CUE. He is an Education Leadership Executive at Jamf. Mike co-founded the Google Certified Innovator and Leading Edge Certification programs and consulted in the development of the ISTE Certified Educator program. He has been working with the CSMF for more than 22 years. 

Hall Davidson is the Senior Director of Global Learning Initiatives for Discovery Education. He has keynoted and  presented at conferences such as ISTE and CUE for more than 12 years. He has been with the California Student Media Festival for more than 30 years.  

California Student Media Festival:  

• Celebrates outstanding student work in media, encouraging districts and classrooms to recognize student creativity.  
• The festival has been life-changing for many, providing students with confidence and exposure to a larger audience.  
• Festival Logistics: Inclusive of all media types, including coding and 3D printing projects, emphasizing student creativity over technical perfection.  
• Role in Teacher Development: Many teachers have overcome tech hesitancy by participating in the festival, thus enhancing their teaching methodologies.  
• Recognition and Awards: The festival awards plaques and cash donations to winning entries, fostering a sense of achievement among students, classrooms and schools.  

Advice for Educators:  

Hall and Mike urge educators to involve their students in the festival, highlighting the minimal time requirement for entry and the importance of student-led projects.  

Please note that technical expertise is not a prerequisite for participation. We encourage educators to help students to showcase their developing skills and creativity.  

Conclusion:  

The California Student Media Festival stands as a testament to the potential of student creativity and the importance of recognizing and nurturing it. Hall and Mike's insights provide inspiration for educators to integrate media projects into their curriculum, empowering students to express themselves and develop essential skills. 

Links: 

Open for submissions 1/15/2024 🎤 📷 ➡️ https://www.mediafestival.org/⁠  

Teachers, sign up today to be a CSMF judge 📖💻✏️ https://bit.ly/judge58⁠

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.    

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Tech Lasso © 2023 by Technology, Learning & Support Services Department, Los Angeles County Office of Education is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0   

The podcast is recorded with Zoom and produced with Soundtrap for Education.  

Produced by: schwanz_mark@lacoe.edu, moss_scott@lacoe.edu   

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