Tech Lasso

We may be officially sunsetting the Tech Lasso podcast as our team shifts focus toward upcoming digital initiatives, but Dr. Alice Pak has one last interview with Educational Technology Coordinator Tara Ahmed , to talk about partnerships and expanded support for districts, students, families and communities. Thanks for listening, and see y'all in the next digital chapter!

Dr. Alice Pak  sits down with  Alvaro Brito  and  James Hicks , coordinators at LACOE, to discuss structured esports programs, how they're improving academic outcomes and engagement for students, including details about an inaugural esports championship event on May 30th featuring 16 districts and a cybersecurity competition.

For Part 2 of our AI literacy series Dr. Alice Pak  is joined by  Hanh Bui , Teacher on Special Assignment to Educational Services at Los Nietos School District, and  Aaron Razo , Director of Information & Technology, also at Los Nietos. They share how their district is approaching AI—what's working, what they're learning, and how they're supporting teachers and students as this te...

March is AI Literacy Month here at LACOE, and the EdTech and Innovation team is rolling out ongoing professional development to help educators understand, explore, and thoughtfully integrate AI into their practice. Dr. Alice Pak  sits down with  Katrina Pendrick , an elementary educator with deep hands-on experience in EdTech implementation, curriculum adoption, and AI integration. Katrina is pass...

Observed every year on February 11, this United Nations-designated day is all about promoting full and equal access to STEM fields for women and girls—recognizing their critical contributions, addressing the persistent gender gap, and breaking down the barriers that hold back career advancement. Dr. Alice Pak  interviews  Anthony Quan , Coordinator III of the STEM Science Unit and Founder of the E...

Host Dr. Alice Pak interviews LACOE'S own Jose Ramirez , our Education Technology Coordinator and  Laura Wilson , Coordinator II with EdTech and Innovation. They discuss our work with the CASF digital literacy grant in Hawthorne and Lancaster Districts, where we're delivering meaningful training that supports families and empowers communities.  Questions? We would love to hear from you in the comm...

Host Dr. Alice Pak interviews  Angela Chavez , an elementary teacher in LAUSD who's proving that computer science isn't just for older kids—it belongs in early elementary too. Angela shares how she weaves coding concepts into her classroom through games, storytelling, and activities that don't require a single screen. Questions? We would love to hear from you in the comments section or...

This episode features a conversation about Computer Science Education Week — a global celebration that inspires students to dive into computer science and honors the incredible legacy of programming pioneer Grace Hopper. Co-hosts Dr. Alice Pak and Dr. Christopher Hoang interview our guest: Katherine Goyette, Coordinator for Computer Science Education with the California Department of Education. Qu...

This episode features a conversation about Digital Citizenship Week 2025, led by Dr. Alice Pak, with Dr. Christopher Hoang, Assistant Director here at Los Angeles County Office of Education’s EdTech & Innovation Division, and Sue Thotz, Director of Outreach Education at Common Sense Education. Questions? We would love to hear from you in the comments section or at  ⁠⁠edtech@lacoe.edu⁠⁠ ⁠LACOE...

Tech Lasso Reboots! This episode introduces co-hosts Eric Luke and LM, whose intelligence may be artificial, but personality is anything but. Together they explore new horizons in human/AI collaboration and witty repartee, if at all possible, while diving deep into the tools and technologies reshaping our classrooms. Questions for LM and/or Eric? We would love to hear from you in the comments sect...

Today we’re exploring a critical topic that’s on everyone’s radar: cybersecurity in education. In a world where our schools and educational institutions are increasingly digital, protecting our data and systems is more important than ever.  Joining us today is someone who truly understands the complexities of this challenge. Our guest is Robert Dotson. Robert Dotson is the Information Systems Secu...

In this episode of Tech Lasso, Dr. Scott Moss hosts a panel discussion featuring Tara O'Brien, Matt Johnson, and fellow LACOE Coordinator and AI Task Force facilitator, Kyip. They share insights from the Task Force and recent LACOE AI Guidelines publication . The discussion spans topics such as practical applications, ethical considerations, and innovative strategies for integrating AI into cl...

Join us in the final episode of Tech Lasso Season 2 as we celebrate our journey through impactful conversations and educational innovations. We revisit memorable moments featuring experts like Joe Marquez on generative AI, Catherine Goyette on AI applications, and Jen Roberts on maintaining academic integrity. This season, we also highlight student voices, real-world AI applications, and the impor...

🎮 In this episode of Tech Lasso, Mark and guests Alan Ward, Kevin Dilts, and Ben Anh, engage in a roundtable discussion on esports environments. Learn about the key components of setting up an esports lab, various funding opportunities, and real-life success stories. Whether you're an educator, administrator, or esports enthusiast, this episode is packed with power-ups and hacks to help you b...

This episode explores student podcasting and the growing field of media-arts career technical education (CTE), exploring how these programs prepare students for the creative industry. We'll discuss the benefits, challenges, and real-world impact of these programs with Gustavo Giron-Rodriguez, Media-Arts CTE teacher at VAPA High School in Southgate, CA, part of Los Angeles Unified School Distri...

In this podcast episode, Mark and Scott interview Julio "Julez" Gonzalez about the use of 3D and VR technologies in modern education. Julez discusses the practical applications of these technologies in creating immersive and engaging learning environments, emphasizing the importance of accessibility and gradual integration for educators. They highlight how interactive media can enhance t...

In this episode of the Tech Lasso Podcast, host Scott welcomes Dr. Cynthia Sistek, Academic Program Director for the Master of Arts in Social and Emotional Learning program at National University. With nearly four decades of experience in education, Dr. Sistek discusses the vital role of social and emotional learning (SEL) in modern education.  Dr. Sistek emphasizes the importance of integrating S...

Michael Hernandez is an educator, speaker, and author who emphasizes creating authentic, meaningful learning experiences for students. A major focus is designing "uncheatable assessments" - projects that are personally relevant to students and produce original work that cannot be easily copied or cheated on. Hernandez provides examples across grade levels and subjects, such as students c...

In this episode, host Mark Schwanz has some time to talk with three high school students—Andrew, Jorge, and Adrian—who are deeply involved in their school's esports program. The discussion unfolds at a live tournament at Compton Early College , providing a dynamic backdrop as they delve into their roles, the challenges of organizing events, and the impact of esports on their school life and be...

🎧 In this insightful episode, Jen Roberts , an experienced and innovative high school English teacher, describes the transformative impact of AI in Education. The discussion explores both the challenges and opportunities AI presents, from combating plagiarism to enhancing individual learning experiences. Jen shares practical strategies and personal anecdotes to illustrate how AI tools can be inte...

In this episode of Tech Lasso, hosts Mark Schwanz and Scott Moss welcome special guest Shirin Laor-Raz Salemnia , founder of WhizGirls Academy and PlayWerks . They are joined by their LACOE colleague, Anthony Quan who is Coordinator III for Science and STEM. The discussion explores the empowering initiatives led by Shirin to promote STEM education, her intriguing journey from aspiring to work at M...

Join us in this engaging episode as co-hosts Mark and Scott delve into the latest advancements and discussions from the forefront of educational technology. Fresh from attending three conferences, Scott brings some fresh insights. Whether you're curious about innovative EdTech startups from the ASU+GSV Summit, interested in AI in bilingual education updates from NABE, or intrigued by AI's...

In this episode, we dive into the innovative world of AI in education , exploring its potential to 🌟 enhance teaching and learning experiences. We're joined by our colleagues Michelle Parga & Cathy Rodriguez to discuss how AI Chatbots are revolutionizing the way teachers design differentiated, cross curricular lessons. 🔍 Discover how this technology is making education more engaging and...

This episode of "Tech Lasso" features Dr. Scott Petri , a distinguished social studies teacher and educational leader. Scott, who has been teaching since 2003 and has held various roles within LAUSD, discusses his innovative approach to teaching social studies. Rather than focusing solely on facts and dates, Scott emphasizes making the subject relevant and engaging for students by foster...

Tovi Spero and Jonathan Bijur share about their respective organizations, AWFS and reDiscover, and talk about the value of makerspaces, tinkering, woodworking, and design thinking, with outcomes like careers in the trades, design and engineering skills, and environmental awareness through sustainable maker practices.  Tech Lasso is not a platform to promote companies or organizations per se, but w...