KS EdTech Conference empowers educators to navigate the challenges and opportunities of technology

Jun. 14, 2018

Contributed by Shaundor Chillingworth

The Kamehameha Schools Information Technology Division (ITD) held its 10th Annual Education Technology Conference June 5 and 6 at the Neil Blaisdell Center.

The event brought together nearly 300 teachers from KS, the DOE, public charter and other private schools throughout Hawaiʻi, and was filled with inspiring presentations to help educators explore trends and new resources available to enhance learning both in and out of the classroom.

The idea behind the conference is to bring resources that you would find at a conference on the continental U.S. but host it here locally so more teachers can attend, participate and build connections with each other, especially for teachers and schools that wouldn’t have the professional development funds to attend a large conference.

While technology is in the title, the conference offers themes and experiences that go much further to inspire and move attendees towards making a positive step forward. This yearʻs opening keynote was delivered by two individuals with a shared history, but different paths headed towards the same goal of making the world a better place.

Eugene Yoon talked about the pivot he made in his life to make a difference, and the work he does to make the world a kinder place. Arthur Renowitzky shared his story of perseverance and the positive mindset he uses to keep pushing forward, despite being a victim of gun violence that left him paralyzed.

On day two of the conference, environmental advocate Liz Clark shared her adventurous decision to travel the world on a sailboat and the ultimate lesson she learned – that anything you love enough is possible.

Kamehameha Schools Information Technology Director Dean Tomita shared his team’s hopes for the conference.

“Really itʻs trying to tug at people’s hearts, to get teachers and people to be motivated and excited about teaching, to be willing to try new things, to hear from people who kind of took a step out of the box to do new things. If we can get teachers to do that, I think we can start to see transformation in the schools.”

The theme for the 2018 conference was DisRupt, reflecting the pace of change in the world today and technology’s role in fueling that pace.

“There are tons of disruptions out in the world today and at the core of that is technology,” said Tomita. “We really have a choice to embrace that or ignore it.”

See more photos from this year's conference.

Keynote speaker Arthur Renowitzky, conference opener and beatboxer Jason Tom, KS ITD Director Dean Tomita, keynote speaker Eugene Yoon and KS IT Education Technology Services Director Darrin Sato got day one of the conference started with two heartfelt messages.

The two-day KS EdTech conference goes well beyond technology, featuring presentations that encourage positive action and a growth mindset, and keynote speakers that are adept at making connections to the heart.