The Region 7 Educational Service Center partnered with LISD to host iPadpaloozaEastTexas at Lindale High School July 15. Based on the emerging needs of modern students, the workshop focused on how to engage students in new and different ways using technology.

“We’re glad to host it,” Superintendent Stan Surratt said. “It’s great for our teachers. We have over 100 Lindale teachers here today, so I’m excited about that.”

The day started off with a breakfast for attendees, followed by the keynote address by Carl Hooker, the Director of Innovation and Digital Learning at Eanes ISD. Known as the “Godfather” of iPadpalooza, Hooker spoke about the need to keep students engaged and use technology to improve learning in the classroom.

“Technology is great, but we need to use it meaningfully,” Hooker said. [It is important] “to make sure that kids are creating, not necessarily consuming, content. It is about ways to use technology effectively in the classroom.”

Workshop attendees were then able to choose from more than 50 sessions to attend throughout the school. Vendors were present in the library to demonstrate and discuss new technology.

“I love having it at Lindale,” DMAC presenter Anita Luff said. “I think this is a fantastic location…a gorgeous school, a great principal, and I love having it here.”

Classes were taught by technology professionals from around the region, including presenters from various LISD campuses. One of the highlights of the day was having country music band, Tin Umbrella, as entertainment during the lunches.

“I am very excited about it because we get to show off our campus and our wonderful staff who helped prepare for this event,” Principal Casey Neal said. “Our goal is to promote inspired learners.”

The primary goal of the workshop was to help teachers use technology more effectively and to create more engaging classroom environments for students.

“This workshop helps us to realize the greatest benefit from the investment in ipads our district has made,” Leslie Garakani, LISD Director of Technology, said. “It helps to better utilize the technology in the classrooms.”

Attendees came from around the region and ranged from teachers to technology directors to administrators. Classes were designed to provide something for everyone to be able to take back and use at their respective schools.

“I feel like this is a great local workshop where you can go and learn all the tools that everyone else is using in the classroom to make learning more engaging and exciting,” Moriah Phillips, Big Sandy Director of Technology, said.

During the day, an interactive Twitter contest was held, and at the end of the day door prizes such as a Kindle Fire, e-backpack, and iPadAir were given out. However, most importantly, teachers were able to take back new ideas to inspire students.

“It’s about engaging students and improving instruction,” Surratt said. “Those two things are the two biggest reasons to have technology in the classroom.”