Pioneers in Learning Inspirit

Paula Macdowell shares her research in educational technology and design at the University of Saskatchewan. Learn how to integrate EdTech in an effective manner to empower children and youth. Explore effective pedagogies that support youth changemakers. 



Paula is an assistant professor of educational technology and design at the University of Saskatchewan. She works on research and advocacy initiatives to empower children and youth through education and technology. She studies the design of technology-enhanced learning environments and technological innovation in developing countries. She also works closely with teachers to integrate media and technology in their classrooms to enhance learner engagement, creativity, connectivity, and ingenuity.

Higher student diversity is wonderful, but it also makes designing a culturally responsive curriculum imperative. Learn how to design and implement a culturally responsive curriculum from an educator who works closely with teachers and students in public schools in Georgia.

Martin Chaplin is the CEO of ImaginEd Georgia, a coalition of Educators, Innovators, Change agents, and Entrepreneurs uncovering Georgia’s K12 education hurdles and creating solutions ED-innovation. He is also a researcher at the CISTAR NSF Engineering Research Center where he works on creating a culturally responsive curriculum.

Tune in to hear David share strategies on how to implement a multidisciplinary STEM & CS Classroom. Learn about how to build your professional network to bring innovation to your students, how to access funding for resources, and about the obstacles you may face when trying to do so.

David Lockett was a STEM and Computer Science teacher at Bok Academy, an apple distinguished school that provides one-to-one access to Apple devices to all students, faculty, and administrators. They demonstrate an innovative and compelling learning environment that engages students and provides tangible evidence of academic accomplishment. He recently accepted an appointment as an Albert Einstein Distinguished fellow at NASA STEM.

Charles is a multiple subject 7th & 8th-grade teacher at Spring's Otay Ranch Academy for the Arts in California. He has a master's of education from UCSD, and has been teaching since 2012. He is a very creative and engaging teacher and has used VR to make his lessons more immersive, interactive, and engaging. He became really popular on his YouTube channel, called Charles Coomber, when he uploaded an educational video using the game Half-Life: Alyx to teach middle school math!

Tune in to hear his experiences in using the Oculus Rift in his classroom, his suggestions on what VR content works well with his students, and where he sees VR in education going in the future!

Elena Chopyak leads a team at the International Rescue Committee to explore the use of Virtual Reality in humanitarian settings. She has a master's in global health and population from Harvard University and uses that along with her background in Sociology and Anthropology in her work on the Emergency Response Team.

Due to Covid-19, her work in this space has become of utmost importance with the surge in cost-containment measures and travel restrictions. Tune in to hear more about her thoughts on this space!

Dane has been the Director of Information Technology at the Marin County Office of Education for the past 20 years. His current efforts are directed towards the development of the XR Marin Regional Training Center and the application of immersive VR AR MR technologies to enhance teaching and learning. 

Tune in to hear Dane share his insights from the frontlines on how to scale and sustainably integrate XR technologies in a school district.