The CoSN Podcast

How will you innovate in your school district or organization this year? Join CoSN’s Edtech Innovation Committee at our upcoming webinar on Wednesday, August 21, when you will discover how under-resourced, suburban, and large urban districts are implementing groundbreaking strategies to transform education in the upcoming school year. Edtech leaders in K-12 education will highlight practical examples and successful innovations that are paving the way for future-ready schools. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and prepare for another year of educational excellence.The presenters are from the CoSN EdTech Innovations Committee.During the session, we discussed various new initiatives, including:VR Explorations (Large Under-resourced District)Virtualizing for Agility (Small Suburban District)Promoting “Learn At Your Own Pace” Professional Learning Structures (Medium Suburban District)From ‘no’ to ‘yes’ – finding alternate pathways and partners to help you innovate and scale change (Large Under-resourced District)AI, UDL, & Teacher Wellness (Medium Suburban District)Empowering Educators, Engaging Students: Our AI Journey (Medium Suburban District)In our professional advancement webinars, education technology experts from across the country and worldwide present their specialties. During each interactive session, experts engage in dialogue to address the challenges and opportunities facing educators. Webinars are FREE for members and $59 for non-members. Partner webinars are free for all.For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.cosn.org/education-events/webinars/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Be sure to follow us on Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@⁠CoSN⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to stay updated on CoSN events!Produced in partnership with edCircuit.

Continuous Learning, AI, and Digital Education Strategy CoSN CEO Keith R. Krueger welcomed everyone, particularly the delegation from the US and Australia, to discuss the importance of continuous learning, especially in the context of the pandemic. The conversation focused on the sustainability of investments in education and infrastructure, and the potential of artificial intelligence in education. Carlos Medina from the Spanish Ministry of Education provided insights on their digital education strategy, highlighting a significant investment of €1 billion over the years to equip all classrooms in Spain and close the digital divide by providing devices to students. He also shared that they have invested €300 million in a digital school plan for all schools in Spain and aim to certify the digital competence of 560,000 teachers in the next year. Please note: The audio starts off poor but improves quickly!

Join us for a dynamic discussion on the K-12 Generative AI Maturity Tool, developed collaboratively by CoSN, the Council of Great City Schools (CGCS), and Amazon Web Services (AWS). This tool builds on the insights from the K-12 Generative AI Readiness Checklist launched in the autumn of 2023. It is designed to help school districts assess and enhance their readiness for integrating Generative AI technologies. Throughout the webinar, a district leader currently using the tool will share experiences and insights, demonstrating how the tool has supported their instructional and operational objectives. Participants will learn how to access the tool, evaluate their district’s AI maturity, secure additional support, and utilize the tailored recommendations to foster continuous improvement. In our professional advancement webinars, education technology experts from across the country and worldwide present their specialties. During each interactive session, experts engage in dialogue to address the challenges and opportunities facing educators. Webinars are FREE for members and $59 for non-members. Partner webinars are free for all. For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.cosn.org/education-events/webinars/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Join this dialogue with the Center on Inclusive Technology and Education Systems (CITES) to gain insights from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Education Technology and Office of Special Education Programs on the recently released assistive technology (AT) guidance and National Education Technology Plan. Each document highlights how students with disabilities can be supported to help ensure academic success. During the discussion, CITES will share district leadership resources including self-assessments, job descriptions and professional learning facilitator guides so teams can launch or build upon their inclusive technology practices. Facilitator:  Christine Fox, Vice President Operations Panelists: Anita Vermeer, Education Specialist, Office of Special Education, U.S. Department of Education Zac Chase, Digital Equity Impact Fellow, Office of Education Technology, U.S. Department of Education In our professional advancement webinars, education technology experts from across the country and worldwide present their specialties. During each interactive session, experts engage in dialogue to address the challenges and opportunities facing educators. Webinars are FREE for members and $59 for non-members. Partner webinars are free for all. For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.cosn.org/education-events/webinars/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Be sure to follow us on Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@CoSN⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to stay updated on CoSN events!

We’re sitting down with Ross Lemke, manager of the US Department of Education’s Privacy Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) for a conversation to learn about common FERPA missteps and tips for keeping your district’s student data privacy program on solid ground. Learn what mistakes to avoid – and how to avoid them – as we dive into good practices for protecting student data privacy, straight from PTAC. Linnette Attai, CoSN Project Director, Student Data Privacy and Trusted Learning Environment Seal Program Ross Lemke, US Department of Education’s Privacy Technical Assistance Center In our professional advancement webinars, education technology experts from across the country and worldwide present their specialties. During each interactive session, experts engage in dialogue to address the challenges and opportunities facing educators. Webinars are FREE for members and $59 for non-members. Partner webinars are free for all. For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.cosn.org/education-events/webinars/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Be sure to follow us on Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@CoSN⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to stay updated on CoSN events!

Please join us for a webinar as we welcome Reg Leichty and Andrea Johnson. Reg Leichty is the Founding Partner Foresight Law + Policy Washington, District of Columbia Andrea Johnson is a Policy and Research AssistantForesight Law + Policy Sheridan, WY Office In our professional advancement webinars, education technology experts from across the country and worldwide present their specialties. During each interactive session, experts engage in dialogue to address the challenges and opportunities facing educators. Webinars are FREE for members and $59 for non-members. Partner webinars are free for all. For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.cosn.org/education-events/webinars/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Be sure to follow us on Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@CoSN⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to stay updated on CoSN events!

Join Amy McLaughlin, Vince Humes, Tony Harvey, and Colleen Davoren as they discuss Key E-Rate Strategies. In our professional advancement webinars, education technology experts from across the country and worldwide present their specialties. During each interactive session, experts engage in dialogue to address the challenges and opportunities facing educators. Webinars are FREE for members and $59 for non-members. Partner webinars are free for all. For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.cosn.org/education-events/webinars/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Be sure to follow us on Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@CoSN⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to stay updated on CoSN events!

The rapid advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology present both incredible opportunities and significant challenges for educational settings. Whether or not a school district is considering leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI), the influence of this technology on educational ecosystems is undeniable. As AI increasingly becomes a part of our daily lives, district leaders have a responsibility to understand its impact in educational settings and make informed decisions accordingly. This is true whether the aim is active adoption or simply preparation for a future where AI tools become more prevalent in educational settings. Presenters Dr. Tom Ryan, Dr. Richard Charles, and Don Wolf discussed the benefits and potential risks of AI in school districts, emphasizing the importance of a toolkit developed by CoSN and the Council for the Great City Schools to navigate AI-related conversations and the need for a diverse team to review AI-generated content. In our professional advancement webinars, education technology experts from across the country and worldwide present their specialties. During each interactive session, experts engage in dialogue to address the challenges and opportunities facing educators. Webinars are FREE for members and $59 for non-members. Partner webinars are free for all. For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.cosn.org/education-events/webinars/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Be sure to follow us on Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@CoSN⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to stay updated on CoSN events!

Join us to delve into the pivotal interplay between artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. Join us as we unravel the ways AI is transforming threat detection, intrusion prevention, and incident response. We’ll explore real-world applications, benefits, challenges, and the ethical dimensions of AI in cybersecurity. Be part of the conversation to stay informed about the latest trends and essential insights for navigating this evolving landscape effectively. Presenters: Amy McLaughlin, MS, MA, CETL, CISM, CHPS, CDPSE, CISSP, CoSN Cybersecurity Project Director,Executive Director, Technical and Solutions Architecture Oregon State University (OR) Bryan Ruzenski, Director of External Technology Services, Chester County Intermediate Unit (PA) Corey O’Connor, CETL, Director of Technology , Montgomery County Educational Service Center (OH) Thomas Molina, PMP, CISSP, SSCP, CTO, Corpus Christi Independent School District (TX) Jennifer Clouser, CETL,  Executive Director, Department of Technology, Auburn School District #408 (WA) In our professional advancement webinars, education technology experts from across the country and worldwide present their specialties. During each interactive session, experts engage in dialogue to address the challenges and opportunities facing educators. Webinars are FREE for members and $59 for non-members. Partner webinars are free for all. For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.cosn.org/education-events/webinars/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Be sure to follow us on Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠@CoSN⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠ to stay updated on CoSN events!

Learn about the Digital Equity Dashboard, an innovative and practical tool designed to help school districts and communities leverage data to close digital equity gaps. The powerful instrument integrates various national data sets into one comprehensive dashboard. By anonymizing the data and breaking it down into county, school district, and zip code units, the Digital Equity Dashboard provides school and community leaders with valuable data to inform decision-makers and address equity concerns. In our professional advancement webinars, education technology experts from across the country and worldwide present their specialties. During each interactive session, experts engage in dialogue to address the challenges and opportunities facing educators. Webinars are FREE for members and $59 for non-members. Partner webinars are free for all. For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.cosn.org/education-events/webinars/⁠⁠⁠ Be sure to follow us on Twitter ⁠⁠⁠@CoSN⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠ to stay updated on CoSN events!

1,619 cyber incidents: that staggering number represents only the publicly reported cyber incidents experienced by K-12 institutions in the U.S. between 2016 and 2022. The K-12 Cybersecurity webinar with the U.S. Department of Education is a call to action for education leaders in school districts and state agencies in support of the Biden-Harris Administration’s whole-of-government effort to improve the defensibility and resilience of education’s digital infrastructure. Timed to coincide with the back-to-school season, the webinar will focus on highlights from CISA and ED’s recently released Defensible and Resilient K-12 Digital Infrastructure Brief, which features cybersecurity recommendations and promising practices from states and districts across the country. In our professional advancement webinars, education technology experts from across the country and worldwide present their specialties. During each interactive session, experts engage in dialogue to address the challenges and opportunities facing educators. Webinars are FREE for members and $59 for non-members. Partner webinars are free for all. For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit: ⁠⁠https://www.cosn.org/education-events/webinars/⁠⁠ Be sure to follow us on Twitter ⁠⁠@CoSN⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠ to stay updated on CoSN events!

As the new school year approaches, we understand the importance of staying ahead of the curve in the ever-evolving educational landscape. That’s why we are thrilled to invite you to an insightful and interactive webinar titled “Generative AI: The New School Supply?” During this engaging online event, we will explore how Generative Artificial Intelligence transforms the educational experience for students, teachers, and school leaders. Join us as we delve into the fascinating applications and benefits of Generative AI in prepping for the school year, conducting meetings with teachers, and collaborating with school leaders. Hear from other EdTech leaders how they respond to the many questions being asked, and share your experiences and resources to help others!  In our professional advancement webinars, education technology experts from across the country and worldwide present their specialties. During each interactive session, experts engage in dialogue to address the challenges and opportunities facing educators. Webinars are FREE for members and $59 for non-members. Partner webinars are free for all. For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit: ⁠https://www.cosn.org/education-events/webinars/⁠ Be sure to follow us on Twitter ⁠@CoSN⁠ and ⁠LinkedIn⁠ to stay updated on CoSN events!

Student privacy is a growing concern across K12 education. Although many digital tools and edtech providers have invested in student data privacy, many stakeholders are calling for more training, awareness, and cybersecurity in the classroom. How can we guarantee that students get the best possible experience leveraging edtech tools and that their data is secure and privacy safeguarded? In this episode of the CoSN Podcast, we discuss student data privacy, increasing awareness, vetting procedures, and more. There is no doubt that schools have a responsibility to protect student data and maximize student data privacy. In order to do this, schools must implement proactive strategies and training to support staff and increase student safety. Today’s guest is Kerry GallagherKerry Gallagher, JD, is an innovative teacher, school administrator, lawyer, TEDx speaker, keynote speaker, education consultant, downhill skier, hiker, mom, and wife. She has over 20 years of experience as a professional educator. Kerry currently serves as Assistant Principal for Teaching and Learning and classroom teacher at St. John’s Preparatory School in Danvers, Massachusetts, and Director of Education at ConnectSafely, an internet safety non-profit in Palo Alto, California. Kerry is co-author of several ConnectSafely award-winning guidebooks for parents and teachers on topics that include social media, data privacy, education technology, copyright, and more. Accolades for her work include awards from the Family Online Safety Institute, St. Anselm College, MassCUE, SmartBrief, and Tech&Learning. She’s been recognized as a FutureReady Schools Instructional Coach, ASCD Emerging Leader, Adobe Education Leader, PBS LearningMedia Digital Innovator, and EdSurge Columnist. Her passions include digital wellness, innovative professional learning, and effective integration of curriculum, pedagogy, and technology. She is on social media @KerryHawk02.This episode of The CoSN Podcast is supported by CleverEngage further in the discussion on Twitter. Follow: @CoSN,  @edCircuit, @CleverThe CoSN Podcast is produced in partnership with edCircuit. To learn more about CoSN, visit⁠ ⁠⁠www.cosn.org⁠, and to learn more about at⁠ ⁠edCircuit, visit ⁠www.edcircuit.com⁠.

We must invest in effective cybersecurity to mitigate these risks and increase the health of our K12 schools. In the third part of this three-part series on K-12 Education and Cybersecurity, our guests share backgrounds, standards, and strategies for cybersecurity success. Overall this conversation highlights the multitude of factors that add up to increase the health and security of K12 data systems and cybersecurity. There is no doubt that the work of our guests and IT professionals across the education sector is essential. Today’s guests are Mayank Agarwal and Scott Gilhousen.  Mayank Agarwal is the Head of the Cybersecurity business in North America for Infosys. He is responsible for customer engagements, sales, analyst engagement, GTM strategies with tech partners and start-ups in North America. In addition, Maynak is proficient in managing strategic relationships with CIOs, CISO’s, Head of Cloud and Infrastructure, etc. Mayank is an accomplished and astute professional with the perfect mix of sales acumen and technology expertise.Scott Gilhousen is the Chief Information Technology Officer for the Houston Independent School District (HISD), where he leads all aspects of information technology, data and analytics, and information security. With over two decades of experience in strategic and operational leadership roles, Scott brings a wealth of expertise to his current position as CITO.This episode of The CoSN Podcast is supported by Infosys. Engage further in the discussion on Twitter.Follow: @CoSN,  @edCircuit, @InfosysThe CoSN Podcast is produced in partnership with edCircuit. To learn more about CoSN, visit⁠ ⁠⁠www.cosn.org⁠, and to learn more about at⁠ ⁠edCircuit, visit ⁠www.edcircuit.com⁠.

How do you balance technological accessibility and cybersecurity? This is a question many school districts have asked over the past several years. Particularly during remote learning, many districts challenged their preconceived notions on accessibility and cybersecurity, leading to many robust changes in districts nationwide.  In this conversation, special guests Doug Thompson and Henry Martin discuss how schools can best implement transformative IT and ensure that sensitive data protection maintains its secure status through collaborative planning and execution.    Doug Thompson is the Chief Education Architect at Tanium. He is a passionate storyteller, TEDx speaker, Go Tanium Tech Stories Podcast host and digital transformation warrior.  After a 20-year stint at Microsoft, he came to Tanium, where he acts as a Tanium Technical Solutions Engineer and  Education Strategist.  He has been involved in the Education arena for over a decade, working with some of the US's largest K-12 and Higher Education institutions.  Henry Martin is the Chief Information Officer at Walton County School District in DeFuniak Springs, Florida, and is a member of the Florida Technology Council. Henry has streamlined and established career pathways and professional development for IT personnel across the district. A key takeaway from this conversation is the power of collaboration in creating innovative systems and the importance of patching and communication for managing automated systems.  This episode of The CoSN Podcast is supported by Tanium. Engage further in the discussion on Twitter. Follow: @CoSN,  @edCircuit, @Tanium The CoSN Podcast is produced in partnership with edCircuit. To learn more about CoSN, visit www.cosn.org, and to learn more about at edCircuit, visit www.edcircuit.com.

Have “ILL gotten goods” ever shown up at your doorstep with individuals expecting them to be added to the network? Join us for another IT Leadership discussion about the Value of Investment (VOI) and the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for technology items. Four district IT leaders will talk about their new technology acquisition process when the funds come from unrestricted entities like parent organizations or Donors Choose. While this issue seems to be an age-old problem for IT leaders, our panelists will be able to shed some light on their district process solutions and how sustainability can be built into the planning process.In our professional advancement webinars, education technology experts from across the country and around the world present their specialties. During each interactive session, experts engage in dialogue to address the challenges and opportunities facing educators. Webinars are FREE for members and $59 for non-members. Partner webinars are free for all.For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit: https://www.cosn.org/education-events/webinars/Be sure to follow us on Twitter @CoSN and LinkedIn to stay updated on CoSN events!The CoSN Podcast is produced in partnership with edCircuit. To learn more about CoSN, visit⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.cosn.org⁠⁠⁠, and to learn more about at⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠edCircuit, visit ⁠⁠⁠www.edcircuit.com⁠⁠⁠.

As school digital ecosystems expand and rapidly become more at threat, there needs to be a transparent understanding of building and adapting functionally digitized systems. In the second part of this three-part K-12 Education and Cybersecurity series, our guests discuss the expansion of more developed operational and learning management systems in schools and strategies for successful implementation and change management. As both of this episode's guests can attest, school districts' use of digitization has expanded dramatically over the past decade, and there are a host of challenges technology and education practitioners need to be aware of. Today’s guests are Shahryar Khazei and Vishal Salvi. Shahryar Khazei is a seasoned IT executive with over 36 years of experience in the private and public education industry. He was the Chief Information Officer of the nation’s second-largest school district, the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). After retiring from LAUSD, Khazei founded Macaw Consulting, which provides strategic and management consulting services to school districts, non-profit organizations, and for-profit companies in the education sector across the United States.  In 2021, he joined the Board of Directors at the Consortium of School Networking (CoSN) Vishal Salvi is Senior Vice President, Chief Information Security Officer, and Head of the Cyber Security Practice at Infosys. He is responsible for the overall information and cyber security strategy and its implementation across Infosys Group. Vishal has over 25+ years of industry experience in Cybersecurity and Information Technology across different Industries. He is part of various Advisory Councils and Boards to provide leadership and direction on cybersecurity frameworks and standards to drive the adoption of cybersecurity across the industry. He has participated in various case studies related to cybersecurity practices over the past decade. Follow Vishal on Twitter at @VishalSalvi This episode of The CoSN Podcast is supported by Infosys. Learn more at https://www.infosys.com/ Engage further in the discussion on Twitter. Follow: @CoSN,  @edCircuit, @Infosys The CoSN Podcast is produced in partnership with edCircuit. To learn more about CoSN, visit www.cosn.org, and to learn more about at edCircuit, visit www.edcircuit.com.

Cybersecurity is not just a technology issue. It is part of everyone’s job.What do students, parents, teachers, and staff need to know to protect themselves and their schools from cyber-attacks?What are the best practices for teachers with their students? How does the school work with parents and staff on an ongoing basis?The assumption is that the responsibility for all cybersecurity decisions and outcomes rests solely with the technology team. Some assume that managing cybersecurity risk is too technical for students, parents, teachers and staff involvement.Nothing could be further from the truth!In our professional advancement webinars, education technology experts from across the country and around the world present their specialties. During each interactive session, experts engage in dialogue to address the challenges and opportunities facing educators. Webinars are FREE for members and $59 for non-members. Partner webinars are free for all.For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit: https://www.cosn.org/education-events/webinars/Be sure to follow us on Twitter @CoSN and LinkedIn to stay updated on CoSN events!The CoSN Podcast is produced in partnership with edCircuit. To learn more about CoSN, visit⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.cosn.org⁠⁠⁠, and to learn more about at⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠edCircuit, visit ⁠⁠⁠www.edcircuit.com⁠⁠⁠.

In an ever-growing connected world, cybersecurity is a growing issue that often gets overlooked. From financial risks to personal information risks, cybersecurity risks have changed the landscape of K12 and higher education. Despite the growing risks, we have yet to see a hyper-awareness of school and community leaders of the landscape of cybersecurity impact. In the first part of this three-part K-12 Education and Cybersecurity series, our guests discuss why cybersecurity is so important, current risks, often overlooked struggles, the significance of collaboration, and more. This conversation aims to address the issues at hand and improve awareness of cybersecurity strategies. Today’s guests are Mitrankur Majumdar and Lenny J. Schad. Mitrankur Majumdar is a passionate, innovative, and strategic business leader with 23 years of experience specializing in executing business transformation through technology and process intervention. At Infosys, Mit is responsible for positioning the company as a global systems integrator across Information Services, Publishing, professional services, education, travel, hospitality, and EPC companies. Apart from helping his customers with their IT or BPO landscape. Lenny Schad, Chief Information & Innovation Officer for District Administration, has worked in K-12 since 2003, successfully leading the implementations of BYOD and 1:1 in Katy ISD and Houston ISD, respectively, as the CIO.  Lenny has served as a board member for CoSN and is a published author.  His book “Bring Your Own Learning: Transform Instruction with any Device” has helped many organizations implement digital transformation initiatives. This episode of The CoSN Podcast is supported by Infosys. Learn more at https://www.infosys.com/ Engage further in the discussion on Twitter. Follow: @CoSN, @edCircuit, @Infosys, @mitrankurm, @Lschad The CoSN Podcast is produced in partnership with edCircuit. To learn more about CoSN, visit www.cosn.org. Learn more about edCircuit, visit www.edcircuit.com

CoSN K12 Leadership Pre-Survey Tips Webinar on January 5th, 2023. In our professional advancement webinars, education technology experts from across the country and around the world present their specialties. During each interactive session, experts engage in dialogue to address the challenges and opportunities facing educators. Webinars are FREE for members and $59 for non-members. Partner webinars are free for all. For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit: https://www.cosn.org/education-events/webinars/ Be sure to follow us on Twitter @CoSN and LinkedIn to stay updated on CoSN events!

Today's panelists include: Reg Leichty, Founding Partner Foresight Law + Policy, Washington, District of Columbia Andrea Johnson, Policy and Research Assistant Foresight Law + Policy, Sheridan, WY Office In our professional advancement webinars, education technology experts from across the country and around the world present their specialties. During each interactive session, experts engage in dialogue to address the challenges and opportunities facing educators. Webinars are FREE for members and $59 for non-members. Partner webinars are free for all. For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit: https://www.cosn.org/education-events/webinars/ Be sure to follow us on Twitter @CoSN and LinkedIn to stay updated on CoSN events!

What is it? Why it's beneficial? How to apply for recertification? Today's panelists include: Chelsea Earhart, MBA, CAE, Director of Certification, CoSN CETL® Certified Program (KS) Robin Gunter, CETL®, CoSN Certification Governance Council, Chair, Executive Director Instructional Technology Richardson ISD (TX) Chantell Manahan,  CETL®, CoSN Certification Governance Council, Member Director of Technology MSD of Steuben County (IN) In our professional advancement webinars, education technology experts from across the country and around the world present their specialties. During each interactive session, experts engage in dialogue to address the challenges and opportunities facing educators. Webinars are FREE for members and $59 for non-members. Partner webinars are free for all. For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit: https://www.cosn.org/education-events/webinars/ Be sure to follow us on Twitter @CoSN and LinkedIn to stay updated on CoSN events!

In order to reduce barriers, leaders must work to develop their Universal Design for Learning mindset, knowledge, and skills to ensure that all learners have equitable access to educational materials and resources. During this session, you will hear from two district leaders who are using a UDL mindset to lead. In our professional advancement webinars, education technology experts from across the country and around the world present their specialties. During each interactive session, experts engage in dialogue to address the challenges and opportunities facing educators. Webinars are FREE for members and $59 for non-members. Partner webinars are free for all. For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit: https://www.cosn.org/education-events/webinars/ Be sure to follow us on Twitter @CoSN and LinkedIn to stay updated on CoSN events!

Capturing the Value of Investment for Technology Spending.  Today's panelists include:  Frankie J. Jackson, CETL, Subject Matter Expert, CoSN William Pierce, Executive Administrator of Digital Innovation and Program Management, Jefferson County School District (KY) Diane W. Doersch, CETL, Technical Project Director, Digital Promise (DC) Rob Dickinson, Chief Information Officer, Wichita Public Schools USD 259 (KS) In our professional advancement webinars, education technology experts from across the country and around the world present their specialties. During each interactive session, experts engage in dialogue to address the challenges and opportunities facing educators. Webinars are FREE for members and $59 for non-members. Partner webinars are free for all. For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit: https://www.cosn.org/education-events/webinars/ Be sure to follow us on Twitter @CoSN and LinkedIn to stay updated on CoSN events!

CoSN has conducted an annual survey of U.S. K-12 IT Leaders for the past nine years. The results from the 2022 survey were recently released. Come to this webinar to learn about the key findings and better understand today’s EdTech landscape around the state of cybersecurity risks, BYOD initiatives, demands for home access support, and more. The survey and this webinar were made possible by the Ed-Fi Alliance and CDW-G, conducted in partnership with MCH Data, K12 Insite, and AASA. In our professional advancement webinars, education technology experts from across the country and around the world present their specialties. During each interactive session, experts engage in dialogue to address the challenges and opportunities facing educators. Webinars are FREE for members and $59 for non-members. Partner webinars are free for all. For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit: https://www.cosn.org/education-events/webinars/ Be sure to follow us on Twitter @CoSN and LinkedIn to stay updated on CoSN events!

Over the past two years, we have seen technology use in the classroom skyrocket. From assessment tools to curriculum support, these technologies are essential to classrooms in districts across the country. Hand in hand with the bloom in learning technologies, inclusive technologies have become a major topic of discussion in the education world. In part two of this two-part series sponsored by the Center on Inclusive Technology & Education Systems (CITES) at CAST, our guests discuss how to implement a technology program that meets the needs of all learners. Step by step- setting standards, creating guides for teachers, sourcing and vetting vendors, and communicating support, this episode explores how district leaders can implement a comprehensive program to support all students with stories and examples from district leaders themselves. Today’s guests are two leaders from the Jenks Public Schools in Jenks, Oklahoma – District Assistive Technology Coordinator Janna Greathouse and Edtech Coordinator Samantha Reid. Janna graduated from the University of Tulsa in Oklahoma with a Master’s degree in Speech Pathology. She has practiced as a speech-language pathologist in public school systems in the Carolinas and in Oklahoma, where she currently works. . Her latest pursuits involve efforts to increase accessibility, equity, and inclusion district-wide so that students are empowered to be experts in their own learning and are supported in doing so. Samantha obtained her M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction with an Emphasis on Technology Integration in Education from UNLV in 2006, after which she began working in EdTech. Prior to moving into EdTech, she taught in Elementary School. Samantha is an ISTE Certified Education as well as receiving several other certifications and Micro-credentials through the years. She has done training all over the region and has presented at several EdCamps, Google Summits, and conferences, including ISTE, TCEA, FETC, and CoSN. This episode of The CoSN Podcast is supported by the Center on Inclusive Technology & Education Systems (CITES) at CAST. Learn more at https://cites.cast.org/ Engage further in the discussion on Twitter. Follow: @CoSN, @MindRocketMedia, @cafox, @MaggieP, @CAST_UDL, @JoSenja, @GreathouseJanna The CoSN Podcast is produced in partnership with MindRocket Media Group and published on edCircuit. To learn more about CoSN, visit www.cosn.org. Learn more about MindRocket Media Group at www.mindrocketmediagroup.com. Read the transcript of this interview here: https://edcircuit.com/creating-a-framework-for-inclusive-technology-part-2-s3e6/

In a recent survey, CoSN members shared their experiences and how emergency funding has impacted purchasing decisions. This 30-minute webinar will highlight the key findings, and every attendee will receive a copy of the full survey report. In our professional advancement webinars, education technology experts from across the country and around the world present their specialties. During each interactive session, experts engage in dialogue to address the challenges and opportunities facing educators. Webinars are FREE for members and $59 for non-members. Partner webinars are free for all. For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit: https://www.cosn.org/education-events/webinars/ Be sure to follow us on Twitter @CoSN and LinkedIn to stay updated on CoSN events!

Over the past two years, we have seen technology use in the classroom skyrocket. From assessment tools to curriculum support, these technologies are essential to classrooms in districts across the country. Hand in hand with the bloom in learning technologies, inclusive technologies have become a major topic of discussion in the education world. What is inclusive technology in education? The aim of inclusive technology is to create environments using technological resources to ensure that all students can thrive academically. In part one of this two-part series presented by the Center on Inclusive Technology & Education Systems (CITES) at CAST, our guests discuss inclusive technology practices, collaboration, investment in educational accessibility, and implementing the CITES framework. Today’s guests are Christine Fox and Maggie Picket. Christine Fox, MS, is the Project Director of CAST’s CITES project and a Senior Technical Assistance Specialist. Prior to joining CAST, Christine was the Senior Director of External Relations for the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN), where she was responsible for corporate partnerships and professional advancement programs and supported federal advocacy efforts regarding digital equity and cybersecurity. She is also a former curriculum coach, ESL Coordinator, and classroom teacher. Maggie Picket is a Senior Technical Assistance Specialist for CITES, Maggie explores systemic integration of Assistive Technology, Information Technology, and Educational Technology systems in partnership with districts. For over a decade, Maggie has worked with teachers, students, administrators, para-professionals, families, and community partners to build a common understanding of how creating engaging and accessible learning for ALL is possible. This episode of The CoSN Podcast is supported by the Center on Inclusive Technology & Education Systems (CITES) at CAST. Learn more at https://cites.cast.org/ Engage further in the discussion on Twitter. Follow: @CoSN, @MindRocketMedia, @cafox, @MaggieP, @CAST_UDL The CoSN Podcast is produced in partnership with MindRocket Media Group and published on edCircuit. To learn more about CoSN, visit www.cosn.org. Learn more about MindRocket Media Group at www.mindrocketmediagroup.com. Read the transcript of this interview here: https://edcircuit.com/creating-a-framework-for-inclusive-technology-s3e5/

A common phrase in the cybersecurity world is “cybersecurity is not a priority until it has to be.” Security measures are essential to schools, and as we will discuss in this episode, good procedures ensure safety success.  In this episode presented by Telos, Our guests today discuss bad actors, sensitive data, low-hanging data, federal funding, and why cyber security is an essential core function of every school district. Today’s guests are Pete Cevenini and Vincent Scheivert. Pete is the former Montgomery County Public School (MD) Chief Information Officer & Former Maryland State Department of Education CIO. Pete was named to the “Leading Data and Technology Executives U.S. Public Education List” by Chief Data Officer Magazine. He is a career educator, having served many other roles, including high school principal, curriculum director, and graduate professor. Vince is the Vice President of Solutions and former Director of Technical Strategy at Telos Corporation, helping businesses, governments, and school systems improve their cybersecurity protections and operations. Prior to joining Telos, Vince was the Assistant Superintendent for Digital Innovation at Loudoun County Public Schools and the Chief Information Officer at Albemarle County Public Schools, where CoSN recognized him as the Chief Technology Officer of the year. He has also held IT leadership positions at the Downington Area School District, the West Chester Area School District, and Fairfax County Public Schools. This episode of The CoSN Podcast is supported by Telos. Learn more at https://www.telos.com/solutions/k12-and-higher-education/. Engage further in the discussion on Twitter. Follow: @CoSN @MindRocketMedia @telosnews. The CoSN Podcast is produced in partnership with MindRocket Media Group and published on edCircuit. To learn more about CoSN, visit www.cosn.org. Learn more about MindRocket Media Group at www.mindrocketmediagroup.com.

The pandemic has shifted education as we know it and now is our chance to move forward into a world where innovation is central to catalyzing change needed more than ever before. During CoSN’s two Driving K-12 Innovation Summit #2, we will explore the Tech Enablers that our Advisory Board has deemed the most influential for 2022. What are the biggest challenges and motivations for change, and what are the tools to help us get there? How has the COVID-19 pandemic played a role in the process? In our professional advancement webinars, education technology experts from across the country and around the world present their specialties. During each interactive session, experts engage in dialogue to address the challenges and opportunities facing educators. Webinars are FREE for members and $59 for non-members. Partner webinars are free for all. For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit: https://www.cosn.org/education-events/webinars/ Engage further in the discussion on Twitter. Follow: @CoSN

What is a hacker, and what threats do they present to K12 school districts? As we begin the school year, we want to ensure that K12 districts are adequately prepared to address these risks and secure data. In this episode presented by Telos, we discuss the philosophies behind anti-hacking data security and strategies educators can take to protect district networks, data, information, and security systems from hackers.Today’s guests are John Frangos and James Levija. John is the Director of Cyber Threat Analytics at Telos Corporation. He is a former Army Chinese Mandarin linguist and technical targeter with 10 years of experience in the Intelligence Community, specializing in data analysis and observation, analysis, and exploitation of network communications. James is the Director of Digital Threat Identification at Telos Corporation. He was active-duty Army intelligence for 8-years and now serves in the Army Reserve. He has 11 years of experience in the Intelligence Community working on targeting and exploitation. James' primary focus is fusing open-source intelligence and dark web research as part of the Telos Advanced Cyber Analytics solution.This episode of The CoSN Podcast is supported by Telos. Learn more at https://www.telos.com/solutions/k12-and-higher-education/.Engage further in the discussion on Twitter. Follow: @CoSN @MindRocketMedia @telosnewsThe CoSN Podcast is produced in partnership with edCircuit. To learn more about CoSN, visit⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.cosn.org⁠⁠, and to learn more about at⁠⁠ ⁠⁠edCircuit, visit ⁠⁠www.edcircuit.com⁠⁠.

Building a data privacy governance program is a significant undertaking, requiring leadership support, knowledgeable technology leadership empowered to build and implement the program, and an institution-wide culture that is open to change. The “what” is understandable, but the “how” is often murky. How do you engage with leadership to make the case for building or improving your privacy program? How do you start building acceptance for the needed changes? Join us as we do a deep dive into the “how” with representatives from 2 districts that have each earned their Trusted Learning Environment (TLE) Seal. Listen in as they share how they moved from thinking about data privacy to action, and learn tips that you can apply to your student data privacy efforts.In our professional advancement webinars, education technology experts from across the country and around the world present their specialties. During each interactive session, experts engage in dialogue to address the challenges and opportunities facing educators. Webinars are FREE for members and $59 for non-members. Partner webinars are free for all.For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit: https://www.cosn.org/education-events/webinars/Engage further in the discussion on Twitter. Follow: @CoSNThe CoSN Podcast is produced in partnership with edCircuit. To learn more about CoSN, visit⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.cosn.org⁠⁠, and to learn more about at⁠⁠ ⁠⁠edCircuit, visit ⁠⁠www.edcircuit.com⁠⁠.

The pandemic has shifted education as we know it and now is our chance to move forward into a world where innovation is central to catalyzing change needed more than ever before. During CoSN’s two Driving K-12 Innovation Summit #1, we will explore the Hurdles & Accelerators that our Advisory Board has deemed the most influential for 2022. What are the biggest challenges and motivations for change, and what are the tools to help us get there? How has the COVID-19 pandemic played a role in the process? In our professional advancement webinars, education technology experts from across the country and around the world present their specialties. During each interactive session, experts engage in dialogue to address the challenges and opportunities facing educators. Webinars are FREE for members and $59 for non-members. Partner webinars are free for all. For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit: https://www.cosn.org/education-events/webinars/ Engage further in the discussion on Twitter. Follow: @CoSN

As schools return for the 2022-2023 school year, students will bring hundreds of devices with thousands of applications into district ecosystems. With an increase in in-classroom technology, exploitable student devices, and insecure applications, data is at risk. In this episode of the CoSN podcast presented by Telos, we discuss cybersecurity issues in schools and how actionable data and strategies districts can take to protect their data from novel dangers. Today’s guests are Eric Nester and Wesley Doebler. Eric Nester is the Director of Intelligence Enterprise Solutions at Telos Corporation. Eric began his intelligence career in the United States Marine Corp and is a 16-year veteran of the Intelligence Community with specific expertise in technical targeting and enterprise-level solution architecture. Eric runs the commercial attribution and federal targeting teams at Telos. Wesley Doebler is the Director of Operations Advanced Cyber Analytics at Telos Corporation. He is a former Naval Intelligence leader with 10 years of experience in the Intelligence Community with particular specialties in networking, targeting, and exploitation. Currently, Wes directs the day-to-day operations of the Telos Advanced Cyber Analytics solution. This episode of The CoSN Podcast is supported by Telos. Learn more at https://www.telos.com/solutions/k12-and-higher-education/. Engage further in the discussion on Twitter. Follow: @CoSN @MindRocketMedia @telosnews The CoSN Podcast is produced in partnership with edCircuit. To learn more about CoSN, visit www.cosn.org.

Join us to share your story and hear from a panel of professionals, just like you, in various stages of their careers. Explore how leadership looks today. Discover the strategic drivers that should frame your approach to leadership each day. Explore the different stages of leadership and continue to grow in your role, and advance your career. In our professional advancement webinars, education technology experts from across the country and around the world present on their specialties. During each interactive session, experts engage in dialogue to address the challenges and opportunities facing educators. Webinars are FREE for members and $59 for non-members. Partner webinars are free for all. For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit: https://www.cosn.org/education-events/webinars/ Engage further in the discussion on Twitter. Follow: @CoSN

The Cybersecurity Insurance landscape is rapidly changing.  Premiums and deductibles are increasing and insurance companies are demanding that K12 organizations take a more active role in protecting their technology environments.  Insurance companies are also rolling out risk assessments and questionnaires to determine rates and eligibility.   What do you need to do to prepare to respond to these risk assessments and maintain an insurable technology infrastructure? In our professional advancement webinars, education technology experts from across the country and around the world present on their specialties. During each interactive session, experts engage in dialogue to address the challenges and opportunities facing educators. Webinars are FREE for members and $59 for non-members. Partner webinars are free for all. For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit: https://www.cosn.org/education-events/webinars/ Engage further in the discussion on Twitter. Follow: @CoSN

As students moved to virtual learning, it quickly became clear that the broadband equity issues plaguing students were more significant and more complex than we knew. Hudson School District in Wisconsin benefitted from agencies who worked together to help solve this issue. In our professional advancement webinars, education technology experts from across the country and around the world present on their specialties. During each interactive session, experts engage in dialogue to address the challenges and opportunities facing educators. Webinars are FREE for members and $59 for non-members. Partner webinars are free for all. For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit: https://www.cosn.org/education-events/webinars/ Engage further in the discussion on Twitter. Follow: @CoSN

Hear about the CoSN 2021 Member Survey and survey results, and get the latest perspective from school districts like your own. In our professional advancement webinars, education technology experts from across the country and around the world present on their specialties. During each interactive session, experts engage in dialogue to address the challenges and opportunities facing educators. Webinars are FREE for members and $59 for non-members. Partner webinars are free for all. For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit: https://www.cosn.org/education-events/webinars/ Engage further in the discussion on Twitter. Follow: @CoSN

Organizations often focus on gender diversity, and while this does improve school system's performance, ethnic diversity has an even larger impact on stakeholder outcomes. Diversity is not just a "do good" thing - it supports your school system's bottom line. Join us in this webinar to discuss: Why diversity matters How to attract talent from ethnically diverse groups How to make sure that the talent you attract wants to stay with you Click to watch this webinar   In our professional advancement webinars, education technology experts from across the country and around the world present on their specialties. During each interactive session, experts engage in dialogue to address the challenges and opportunities facing educators. Webinars are FREE for members and $59 for non-members. Partner webinars are free for all. For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit: https://www.cosn.org/education-events/webinars/ Engage further in the discussion on Twitter. Follow: @CoSN

Cybersecurity is an interesting and developing topic in the world of K12 education. Over the past several years, we have seen a massive investment in technology across schools and districts. This investment in educational tools has led to increased risk from student data to network soundness. In this episode of the CoSN podcast presented by Tanium, we discuss the cyber risk challenges that are unique to education, how to handle multi-device and individual device security, and an effective framework for districts, schools, and tech leaders to understand and implement cybersecurity strategies. Today’s guest is Doug Thompson, Chief Education Architect at Tanium. In this episode, Doug answers an important question regarding K12 education: Does your district lack the visibility to accurately gauge your cyber risk? Throughout the conversation, Doug describes the factors of visibility, what districts should be considering while building cyber security programs, and how to best implement effective cyber risk management systems and strategies. This episode of The CoSN Podcast is supported by Tanium. Learn more at https://www.tanium.com/education or by email at education@tanium.com Engage further in the discussion on Twitter. Follow: @CoSN @MindRocketMedia @Tanium @thedougthompson The CoSN Podcast is produced in partnership with edCircuit. To learn more about CoSN, visit www.cosn.org. Learn more about MindRocket Media Group at www.mindrocketmediagroup.com.

In the nearly 13,000+ school districts across the country, there are millions of data points that can help educators understand success. From student performance on standardized test scores to integration with learning tools, these data points can transform a district's approach to learning if handled correctly. In order to effectively handle data and create data transparency with the whole district, new systems have to be independently created to meet the needs of the district.  New Caney ISD, one of the fastest-growing districts in the state of Texas, provides a new model for structuring data and implementing new data-driven initiatives. In this episode of the CoSN podcast presented by Instructure, we discuss data organization and how the New Caney ISD revolutionized its approach to organizing and utilizing a collaborative data system to make the district’s data work for them. Today’s guest is Gretta O. Rogne, Director of Digital Learning Learning with New Caney Independent School District. Gretta is an experienced educational leader with 11 years of classroom experience, including campus-level leadership positions and 6 years at the administrative technology level. In this episode, Gretta describes her background, strategies for collaboration with vendors and fellow educators, and her team’s thought processes for data organization. This episode of The CoSN Podcast is supported by Instructure. Learn more at https://www.instructure.com/ Engage further in the discussion on Twitter. Follow: @CoSN @MindRocketMedia @Instructure, @newcaneyisd The CoSN Podcast is produced in partnership with edCircuit.

Reviewing a district’s overall technology usage is essential in the modern school. With data and cyber security concerns and the prevalence of technology in the classroom, the challenges districts are facing are incredibly unique and unprecedented. In response to the needs of these districts, the CoSN team, in partnership with Dell Technologies, expanded CoSN’s “Peer Review” process to increase resources for leadership-driven technology initiatives. The Peer Review and the District-Led Self-Review are designed around the CoSN Digital Leap Success Matrix, which outlines the practices needed to be a successful digital school system. The review processes use this Matrix to determine how districts align with best practices. Hoxie School District 46 (AR) was the first pilot district to utilize this new online resource. Today’s guests are Darrell Parks, Technology Coordinator for Hoxie Public Schools, and the Director of the Arkansas Conference of Technology,  Matt Dascoli, the Manager of K12 Education Strategy with Dell Technologies, and two CoSN representatives, Jill Brown, the Director of Professional Learning, and Robert Duke the Chief Operating Officer. The guests of this episode were all participants in the District Led Self Review of Hoxie School District. In this episode, they discuss the importance of District Review, how best to integrate data security, cyber security, communication with stakeholders, and some of their findings from the Hoxie District review. To learn more about the “District Led Review,” contact Jill Brown at jbrown@cosn.org. This episode of The CoSN Podcast is supported by Dell Technologies. Learn more at https://www.dell.com/en-us. Engage further in the discussion on Twitter. Follow: @CoSN @DellTech @HoxieSchools The CoSN Podcast is produced in partnership with edCircuit. To learn more about CoSN, visit www.cosn.org.

The education world is constantly changing and growing, and technology is consistently a factor in that change. In our new technology-forward education industry, cybersecurity is a major factor in protecting students, educators, and communities. In this episode of the CoSN podcast presented by Dell Technologies, we discuss current cybersecurity industry standards and the exciting CoSN “CyberSecurity Leadership Game” with Amy McLaughlin, Frankie Jackson, and Matt Dascoli. Amy McLaughlin is the Executive Director, Technical and Solutions Architecture at Oregon State University and Cyber Security & Network Consultant & Project Lead at CoSN. Frankie Jackson is the Director of Strategic Initiatives at the Texas K-12 Chief Technology Officer Council and project director for the Verizon Innovative Learning Schools at CoSN. Matthew Dascoli is the Senior Manager of K12 Education Strategy at Dell Technologies. Amy, Frankie, and Matt serve the larger education community in their respective work on the “Cybersecurity Leadership Game.” In aspiring collaboration and evolving school leadership, Amy, Matt, and Frankie are all actively involved in revolutionizing the ever-changing cybersecurity landscape. Building Cybersecurity Leadership Capacity, One Game at a Time! Learn more about the “CyberSecurity Leadership Game” by visiting: https://www.cosn.org/edtech-topics/cybersecurity/cybersecurity-game/ This episode of The CoSN Podcast is supported by Dell Technologies. Learn more at https://www.dell.com/en-us. Engage further in the discussion on Twitter. Follow: @CoSN @MindRocketMedia @DellTech The CoSN Podcast is produced in partnership with MindRocket Media Group and published on edCircuit. To learn more about CoSN, visit www.cosn.org. Learn more about MindRocket Media Group at www.mindrocketmediagroup.com.

Digital Equity – was an often discussed topic during the pandemic and was a subject that many rural, urban, and suburban communities faced when going to online learning. Providing students with technology and internet access was a long and arduous process for many districts, and it led to some amazing infrastructure initiatives and changes. In this episode of the CoSN podcast presented by Discovery Education, we discuss the factors of digital equity and strategies to address inequities. Today’s guest is Patrick Gittisriboongul, Ed.D, Assistant Superintendent of Technology and Innovation at Lynwood Unified School District in California.  In 2020, the Linwood Unified District had to address the digital divide for students to access online learning. Unlike many districts, Dr. G created a resolution to solve digital equity and specifically provide secure internet access and fiber to the city of Lynwood. Dr. G’s efforts are truly inspiring and set a precedent for digital equity and distance learning across the country. This episode of The CoSN Podcast is supported by Discovery Education. Learn more at https://www.discoveryeducation.com/ Engage further in the discussion on Twitter  Follow: @pgittis @CoSN @MindRocketMedia @DiscoveryEd  The CoSN Podcast is produced in partnership with MindRocket Media Group and published on edCircuit. To learn more about CoSN, visit www.cosn.org. Learn more about MindRocket at www.mindrocketmediagroup.com.

Technology – when used thoughtfully – can have a tremendous impact in supporting districts’ goals around inclusive learning environments. What are the biggest challenges and what are some proven, practical strategies to make learning more inclusive? We’re tackling those questions today with a panel of expert practitioners: Karen Janowski - inclusive technology consultant and former adjunct professor at Simmons College in Boston Beth Poss - educational and technology consultant, accessibility and inclusion advocate, speech/language pathologist, and former assistant principal Chris Bugaj - inclusive technology facilitator, speech language pathologist, and founding member of the Assistive Technology Team for Loudoun County Public Schools in Virginia Each of the guests, along with Mike Marotta, are co-authors of the book Inclusive Learning 365: EdTech Strategies for Every Day of the Year. Listeners who want to pick up more strategies can find information at https://inclusive365.com The guests speak about developing an inclusive mindset and the importance of continuous learning and reflection, the most challenging aspects of promoting inclusion and how the challenges have shifted during the pandemic, why options that promote learner agency are critical, perspective shifts that have taken place in districts as a result of the pandemic, and more. This episode of The CoSN Podcast is supported by Microsoft. Learn more at www.microsoft.com/education Engage further in the discussion on Twitter. Follow: @attipscast @possbeth @KarenJan @CoSN @MicrosoftEDU The CoSN Podcast is produced in partnership with edCircuit. To learn more about CoSN, visit www.cosn.org. 

In the third and final episode of this Large Districts Great Minds mini-series, we’re discussing strategies for balancing the technology landscape to ensure impact on student learning. A trio of leaders from the Wake County School System in North Carolina join the podcast to share practices that have worked for them, along with situations in which technology is – or is not – the answer to districts’ needs. Marlo Gaddis, Chief Technology Officer; Allison Reid, Sr. Director of Digital Learning & Libraries; and Lisa Belsha, Director of Digital Resources to  their expertise and proven strategies. The guests speak about the questions they ask and procedures they follow when evaluating potential edtech solutions, how they find the balance between meeting all needs but maintaining a manageable number of tools for educators and students to master, how they use data to evaluate the benefits of various tools in use, some of their biggest successes, and more. In CoSN’s Large District Great Minds Series, leaders from large school districts across the country are engaging in meaningful peer conversations and working alongside CoSN to incubate and drive innovative practices designed to solve districts’ unique challenges as we move into the new era of hybrid learning. The Large Districts Great Minds Series is sponsored by Amazon Web Services, Classlink, Clever, ContentKeeper Technologies, ENA and CatchOn, FileWave, and Google. Engage further in the discussion on Twitter. Follow: @mrhgaddis @wakelisab @CoSN The CoSN Podcast is produced in partnership wit edCircuit. To learn more about CoSN, visit www.cosn.org.

Data is a key element that supports school districts in the journey from sight to vision. When used correctly, data increases our understanding of individual students’ strengths and needs, helps us create meaningfully personalized learning environments, and gives us the tools to put our goals within reach and make them achievable. Dr. Mary Levinsohn-Klyap, Coordinator of Data Literacy & Coaching for Howard County Public Schools in Maryland, is this episode’s featured guest. Mary discusses the critical importance of making meaning of data and the role data coaches can play in that process. They also dive deep into the humanity behind the data; how to interpret information with intention, leading to better personalization for students; how to create a data culture that supports instruction and achievement; and best practices for districts beginning to implement a new approach to edtech data. This episode of The CoSN Podcast is supported by PowerSchool. Learn more at https://www.powerschool.com/ Engage further in the discussion on Twitter. Follow: @hcpss @CoSN @MyPowerSchool The CoSN Podcast is produced in partnership with EdCircuit. To learn more about CoSN, visit www.cosn.org.

In our previous episode, we discussed the changes taking place within school districts in response to, and also to embrace, trends regarding remote and hybrid work environments. Today, we’re continuing to speak about the ways in which technology departments are evolving their goals, aligning staffing objectives to those overall goals, and developing new approaches to build modern teams. Specifically, we’re discussing the process of building and supporting diverse technology teams. Our expert guests give their perspectives on the ways in which districts benefit from diverse technology teams, some of the recruitment blind spots they’ve uncovered and addressed, how competition from other industries has influenced and improved hiring and retention efforts, how they’ve evolved the way candidates’ experience is evaluated, and more. Today’s guests are technology leaders from large school districts around the country: Kara Thorstenson, Director of Libraries and Instructional Technology for Chicago Public Schools; Lori Jones, Assistant Superintendent for Technology Services in the Northside Independent School District in San Antonio, Texas; and Lisa Spencer, Director of Instructional Technology & Support for Prince George's County Public Schools in Maryland. They chat about the elements of building and supporting a diverse technology team – the why and the how. This is the second of three episodes aligned to CoSN’s Large District Great Minds Series, in which leaders from large school districts across the country are engaging in meaningful peer conversations, and working alongside CoSN to incubate and drive innovative practices designed to solve districts’ unique challenges as we move into the new era of hybrid learning. The Large Districts Great Minds Series is sponsored by Amazon Web Services, Classlink, Clever, ContentKeeper Technologies, ENA and CatchOn, FileWave, and Google. Engage further in the discussion on Twitter. Follow: @MsTLHLMC @NISDLori @laspaseo @CoSN @EdCircuit The CoSN Podcast is produced in partnership with EdCircuit. To learn more about CoSN, visit www.cosn.org.

Remote and hybrid work environments have grown in popularity over a number of years, and this trend, like so many others, has been accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic. The trend is now impacting schools just as it is transforming other workplaces and industries. In considering schools’ teaching and learning objectives, and the tools and technologies we use to best equip students with future-ready skills, predicting and understanding the “future of work” is an important factor. How can district leaders address their immediate needs while simultaneously redefining work environments and building the edtech leadership to support them? Today’s guests are technology leaders from large school districts around the country: Steve Langford, Chief Information Officer of Beaverton School District in Oregon; Allen Miedema, Executive Director for Technology for Northshore School District in Washington; and Freddie Cox, Chief Technology Officer for Knox County Schools in Tennessee. They chat with edCircuit about the hybrid work environments they’ve developed in their districts, what a positive culture looks like in a remote environment, and more. This is the first of three episodes aligned to CoSN’s Large District Great Minds Series, in which leaders from large school districts across the country are engaging in meaningful peer conversations and working alongside CoSN to incubate and drive innovative practices designed to solve districts’ unique challenges as we move into the new era of hybrid learning. The Large Districts Great Minds Series is sponsored by Amazon Web Services, Classlink, Clever, ContentKeeper Technologies, ENA and CatchOn, FileWave, and Google. Engage further in the discussion on Twitter. Follow:  @sdlangford @amiedema @fredcox3 @CoSN  @EdCircuit The CoSN Podcast is produced in partnership with edCircuit. To learn more about CoSN, visit www.cosn.org.

In the past two episodes, we’ve discussed digital security and cybersecurity, and the fact that each stakeholder group within a school district plays a role in ensuring the cybersecurity plan is effective. Students are one of those key stakeholder groups, and they’re the focus of this episode. How do we help them develop digital citizenship skills and understand their role in ensuring digital safety? Dan Farsaci, Director of Technology for Liverpool Central School District in New York, joins the podcast to share his expertise on this subject. Farsaci and MindRocket Media Group discuss how digital citizenship and cybersecurity fit together, how Farsaci’s team is fostering digital citizenship skills throughout their district, how both curriculum and technology departments are leaders in these efforts, and more. This is the third and final episode of a mini-series supported by GoGuardian. Learn more at https://www.goguardian.com/ Engage further in the discussion on Twitter. Follow:  @DanFarsaci @CoSN @GoGuardian  @EdCircuit The CoSN Podcast is produced in partnership with EdCircuit. To learn more about CoSN, visit www.cosn.org.