SDSU IV Tech Workshop

San Diego State University Imperial Valley, in Partnership with Imperial Valley CUE (computer using educators), provided a series of workshops this past spring for local educators focused on Innovative Educational Technology Practices. The series consisted 5 sessions focused on Educational Technology lesson design, 21st Century Modern Learning, Technology Enhanced Projects and STEAM concepts in the classroom. Teachers from Brawley, Heber, Seeley, El Centro, Calexico and Mexicali participated in the project. Local innovative educators from Imperial Valley CUE organization and SDSU faculty provided instruction for the workshops. Workshops were held on the campus’ new state-of-theart Learning Research Studio classroom that provides a model for technology enhanced active learning environments.

The aim of this professional development series was to give local educators in-depth exposure to methods of integrating technology into their daily lessons through the use of tools like Google classroom, Google Maps, Flipgrid and Adobe Spark, to name a few. Teachers were given resources to help them plan and implement online digital tools to enhance learning and engagement in their classrooms. In addition, participants were exposed to the latest trends in STEAM and 21st century learning practices like 3D printing, coding resources and Virtual Reality tools that can be used in the classroom to spark inquiry and curiosity in students.

San Diego State University Imperial Valley prides itself in being a leader in teacher education in the region and continues to seek avenues such as the Innovative Ed. Tech. Practices professional development series to continue to support the Education community in Imperial County. Ascension Reyes SDSU IV SPED 560 Professor

RN-BS in Nursing Program

Over 120 nurses and students attended the 10th annual evidence-based practice nursing conference at San Diego State University-Imperial Valley. The annual conference was started through a nursing leadership class project by students in the SDSU-IV RN-BS in Nursing program in 2009 and is currently coordinated by the Imperial Valley Nursing Council. The conference started off Nurses’ Week with an inspirational theme: “Inspiring and Influencing Our Communities Through Nursing.”

The conference began with a poster session spotlighting innovative projects by nurses from El Centro Regional Medical Center, Pioneers Memorial Hospital, and SDSU-IV Professionalism in Nursing students. The welcome address was provided by RN-BS in Nursing Leadership students Silvestre Benitez, Alfredo Lopez, Patricia Martinez, and Vanessa Moreno. Dr. Gregorio Ponce, SDSU-IV Dean provided the keynote address and challenged the conference attendees to use their knowledge of leadership and evidence-based practice to transform health in Imperial County. He announced the start of the inaugural MS in Nursing Leadership program starting August 2018 and then encouraged everyone to engage in the work at hand to influence our community.

Conference attendees participated in a series of 4 interactive conference sessions. Session #1 was presented by Dr. Beverly Carlson, Tara Mitchell, and Suzanne Martinez and titled: “Who are the patients we serve?” Session #2 was presented by Helina Hoyt and Shiloh Williams and focused on efforts to increase health literacy amongst patients in Imperial County. Session #3 was presented by Dr. Rosalia Arellano and titled, “Let’s Move” and focused on improving mobility for hospitalized patients in Imperial Valley. Session #4 wastitled “Nurses Inspiring & Influencing Community Health” and led by Silvestre Benitez, Alyson Fink, Ayerim Leon, Alfredo Lopez, Patricia Martinez, Vanessa Moreno, and Rosanne Perez. The session also featured an elevator speech and framed message of health created and presented by Calexico High School students who have been participating in a health coaching program between SDSU-IV RN-BS students and IVROP. Citlaly Jauregui, Samantha Licona, Kelly Noriega, Jesus Reyes, Leonardo Sanchez and their teacher, Ms. Guadalupe Villegas showcased Imperial County health data disparities and evidence-based solutions for tackling these changes.

Teacher Conference

The Future Teachers Conference of 2018 had a terrific slate of speakers from the Imperial Valley and San Diego. People from various careers in education shared their experience and knowledge to help attendees know what to expect as they embark on their journey to become professionals in education.

The objectives of this conference included:

• To assist incoming professionals with networking opportunities where they can connect with experienced educators and other conference attendees with similar goals

• To equip future teachers with information that will help them navigate the professional terrain of education

• To demystify the process of connecting with administrators and veteran teachers in a lowstakes environment

• To give future teachers new ideas to explore as teachers

• To have experienced educators address questions that students may not get answered in a traditional classroom setting

The wide variety of seminars offered gave students a chance to follow their unique interests, and at lunch they had the opportunity to talk with seminar speakers on topics of their choice.

Ms. Betty Wong, Credential Analyst, was present to assist students who had questions, and Kiwanis Early Risers of El Centro, a sponsor of the Aspiring Teachers Club, had a table with information at the event.

After the conference, Dr. Virginia Loh-Hagan presented a reception for Liberal Studies students, and then she and Michelle Xiong stayed after to help individual students with regards to study abroad options.

Those interested in more information about future conferences should contact the conference coordinator, Stacy Bodus, at sfurrer@sdsu.edu