‘Shock the educational system’ with Tech Council’s Future of Play conference

Diana Rhoten, one of the featured presenters at the Pittsburgh Technology Council’s “Learning Innovation: The Future of Play in Education” on Nov. 15, wants to create “a whole new model for educating children through play, technology and digital media,” says the PTC’s Kim Chestney Harvey. “The educational system right now is in crisis, and her goal has been to reimagine education. She really wants to shock the educational system.”

Harvey is Managing Director of the Creative Technology Network, which the PTC is rolling out this fall to foster local companies and nonprofits in this field. “Learning Innovation” is its first event, and Harvey says, Rhoten is a perfect addition to this event, which kicks off the annual Three Rivers Educational Technology Conference.

Rhoten will examine how knowledge is created and shared, based on her decade as a faculty member at Stanford University’s School of Education and co-founder of Startl, a nonprofit that has supported innovative educational technology efforts.

That includes Launchpad Toys, run by this event’s other presenter, Andy Russell. Launchpad designed Toontastic for the iPad, which records kids’ online figure play and turns it into a cartoon. He’ll be focused, as will the entire event, says Harvey, on “how kids can play and learn at the same time.”

School teachers, school administrators and those in the entertainment technology world will all benefit from “Learning Innovation,” she adds. “It’s a great outlet for any aspiring companies working in this genre.”

Do Good:

• “Learning Innovation,” funded by the Grable Foundation, is free at the Regional Learning Alliance in Cranberry Township, but you’ve got to register by emailing here or call 412-918-4229.

Writer: Marty Levine

Source: Kim Chestney Harvey, Pittsburgh Technology Council