Gina Amenta-Shin, Ed.D.
Adjunct/Lecturer - Education
As a CLU alumna, Dr. Amenta-Shin is proud to be a Senior Lecturer for the School of Education. She works with students at many different levels during their college career involving them in learning that stimulates possessing skills and attitudes that permit all learners to seek resolutions to questions and issues while they construct new knowledge. For the past 20 years Dr. Amenta-Shin has pioneered the use of technology to support learning. Much of her work involves preparing teachers to use technology to support student learning through a peer-coaching model that capitalizes upon and enhances cognitive processes. Dr. Amenta-Shin started her career as an elementary teacher. She created learning environments rich in real-world experiences and thought-provoking activities to meet the diverse needs of all her students. After teaching 10 ten years she moved from the classroom to district technology coordinator. While working on her Educational Technology doctorate degree from Pepperdine University, Dr. Amenta-Shin consulted with the Los Angeles County Office of Education as a professional development coordinator. Her primary role included the design and implementation of a nine-day technology integration institute for Los Angeles County teachers. She enjoyed supporting K-12 educators while they planned opportunities for their students to think creatively and involve them in the learning process through inquiry. In 1999 Dr. Amenta-Shin joined the North Central Regional Education Laboratory (NCREL) — one of ten research laboratories funded by the United States Department of Education. As program associate Dr. Amenta-Shin worked with educators all over the world providing leadership to principals and teachers on technology supported learning. Gina collaborated on the development of ISTE’s National Technology Standards for Teachers. She consulted with the National Staff Development Council on standards for Online Professional Development. She facilitated national forums in Washington D.C. for “Technology Literacy Challenge Grant” award winners sponsored by the U.S. secretary of education. For the past 5 years Dr. Amenta-Shin has worked with thirty-three Los Angeles county districts that were awarded the Enhancing Education Through Technology grant, including Los Angeles Unified School District as a Coach facilitator. She prepares teacher leaders to become effective coaches at their schools through nurturing trusting relationships and collaborating with valued colleagues who are involved in implementation of grant goals.
Education
Pepperdine University Doctorate of Education 1999 Malibu, California Educational Technology California Lutheran University Master of Arts 1988 Thousand Oaks, California Education Administration California Polytechnic State University Bachelor of Arts 1986 San Luis Obispo, California Liberal Studies
Expertise
Information Literacy -- (e.g. finding, evaluating and using information) in the meaningful context of problem-based learning. Community-Based Learning --- building communities of learners to solve problems and combining different levels of expertise to construct new understandings. Technology Integration -- Using technology to enhance student productivity and promote creativity.
Email: gamenta@callutheran.edu
Office: email for appointment
Website: http://robles.clunet.edu/~gamenta/
