Laptops, tablets, and smartphones in the classroom, online course delivery, apps, e-textbooks — the use of technology in education is a hot topic nationwide. And it will be the focus of the Southern California Technology in Education Conference on Tuesday, April 17, on the campus of California State University, Dominguez Hills.

The region’s first such event, the conference will take place 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Loker Student Union on the CSU Dominguez Hills campus. It is open to the public.

“The array of new technologies coming to the market is astounding. It is a challenge for educators and technologists to stay abreast of the myriad new tools becoming available almost daily, and to understand the most appropriate application of these tools toward improving learning,” said Jeremiah Woolsey, director of instructional technology at CSU Dominguez Hills, and coordinator of the event. “This inaugural conference stands to become the seminal event annually in Southern California for the exchange of ‘best practices’ in integrating technology with effective pedagogy.”

Keynote Speakers:

Ruth Clair Black, Executive Director for California State University’s new Cal State Online initiative

Karen Cator, Director of Educational Technology, U.S. Department of Education

Rahim Rajan, Program Manager, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Attendees:  Approximately 250-350 educators, academic technologists, IT professionals, and senior administrators from the California State University System, University of California System, California community colleges, regional private colleges and universities, and public and private K-12 schools.

Projected Exhibitors:  HP, Microsoft, Lenovo, Dell, Cisco, Sony, Gartner, Blackboard, Instructure, Extron, Elmo, Data Impressions, CCS Presentations, Turning Technology, Panasonic, Smart Technologies, Sonic Foundry, Respondus, Intelli-Tech, Follett

Throughout the day will be panel discussion on a variety of topics related to technology in education, such as the use of gaming or mobile apps, e-textbooks and free (open source) online resources, cloud computing, and on the technology itself. Big names in computing and technology will also be exhibiting their latest computers, mobile devices, software and how they can be used in education.

For more information about the Southern California Technology in Education Conference, visit www.csudh.edu/actech/techday or call (310) 243-3704.