Schools experienced a massive expansion of technology over the past few years. They put in place 1-to-1 computing programs and are now using a record number of digital learning tools in schools and at home. But that expansion raises important questions: Is the availability of all these new technologies transforming schools to make them more relevant to the needs of students? Or is it an investment that is simply not paying off in the ways schools hoped it would? Join us for a lively discussion about the ways that technology is being used to improve schools and how it is falling short.
First time K-12 Essentials Forum attendee? Learn more about our free virtual forums.
Agenda
2:00pm ET
Welcome and Introduction
We’ll review key takeaways from recent reporting on technology in schools.
Lauraine Langreo is an Education Week staff writer, covering education technology, student well-being, and college and workforce readiness.
2:10pm ET
Interactive Session: What Educators Have to Say About Technology
Hear key takeaways from our annual Technology Counts report and findings from our recent surveys of teachers, principals, and district leaders. Get insights on how schools are integrating technology into teaching and learning.
Arianna Prothero covers technology, student well-being, and the intersection of the two for Education Week.
2:20pm ET
Industry Perspective: How Virtual Learning Spaces Can Support Students' Social-Emotional Needs and Personalized Learning
Sponsor content provided by UNIVERSE by ViewSonic
Supporting students' social-emotional needs in the classroom presents challenges for educators. Overcoming obstacles such as effective communication, building relationships, and creating a safe environment can be demanding. In this session, we will explore the potential of virtual learning spaces and how they can be used to enhance student well-being and nurture the diverse needs of each learner.
Supporting students' social-emotional needs in the classroom presents challenges for educators. Overcoming obstacles such as effective communication, building relationships, and creating a safe environment can be demanding. In this session, we will explore the potential of virtual learning spaces and how they can be used to enhance student well-being and nurture the diverse needs of each learner.
Jonathan Stokes
Business Development Manager,
UNIVERSE by ViewSonic
Jonathan Stokes has 15 years of experience as deputy headteacher and economics and mathematics teacher in challenging secondary schools, working with economically and socially deprived students. Now serving as the Business Development Manager of UNIVERSE by ViewSonic, Jonathan is dedicated to the advancement of education and developing innovative EdTech solutions that enhance learning opportunities.
2:30pm ET
Panel Discussion: What Happened When a District ‘Messed With High School’ and Prioritized Computer Science
If high school indeed needs a shake-up, districts across the country are better positioned to experiment than ever before. Far more now have 1-to-1 computing environments and swift broadband connections, thanks to billions in federal pandemic-relief dollars. Educators have had a chance to see the possibilities of a different kind of school in action. The Mineola school district in New York is trying to seize this moment to rethink what high school should look like by putting in place an initiative that combines technology and social-emotional learning principles, as well as requiring that all high school students take an AP computer science class.
Alyson Klein is an assistant editor for Education Week.
Victoria Berkowitz
Computer Science Teacher,
Mineola School District
Victoria is a software developer turned computer science teacher. She works at Mineola High School where she teaches Game Maker, Robotics, and AP CS Principles. She loves all things teaching whether it be in public schools, volunteering, or children’s ministry (@v_berkowitz).
Nicole Cuella
Principal,
Mineola School District
Nicole Culella, EdD is the Principal of Mineola High School in Garden City Park, NY. She has been an administrator in the Mineola UFSD in Long Island, NY for seven years with her first six years being a District Instructional Leader. Her experience in the educational field is vast including her beginnings as a NYC Mathematics Teaching Fellow, working with the Institute of Student Achievement in cultivating small learning communities, spearheading various engineering/research and CTE middle school and high school programs as well as serving over eight years as an educator and building administrator in one of NYC’s prestigious specialized high schools. Her educational field of focus has always been from a lens of STEAM pulling from her previous study and professional experiences in the fields of civil/structural and biomedical engineering. She is passionate in continuing her work of ensuring quality STEAM connections and applications both vertically and horizontally on the PK to post-secondary continuum of learning.
Kuri DiFede
Computer Science Teacher,
Mineola Public Schools
Michael Nagler
Superintendent,
Mineola School District
Michael is the Superintendent of the Mineola School District, a suburb of NYC. Mike began his career as a social studies teacher in NYC. While teaching he earned his doctorate from Columbia University and accepted an administrative position with Mineola in 1999.
He believes strongly in the district’s mission to inspire students to become lifelong learners that exhibit strength of character and contribute positively to a global society. During his twenty three years with the district, he has been a big proponent of using technology to engage students in rigorous content. All five schools in Mineola have been recognized as Apple distinguished schools. Mineola is also a member of the League of Innovative Schools, Dr. Nagler is the Chairperson of the Advisory Board.
Mineola was one of the first schools in the State to implement a comprehensive computer science curriculum starting in kindergarten. Mineola is also at the forefront of digital student portfolios. Dr. Nagler recently utilized the Districts coding platform to create his own digital portfolio. http://michaelnagler.oyosite.com
Dr. Nagler was the 2020 New York State Superintendent of the Year and was a Finalist for the 2020 National Superintendent of the Year. He recent published a book entitled: The Design Thinking, Entrepreneurial, Visionary Planning Leader- a Practical Guide for Thriving in Ambiguity
He believes strongly in the district’s mission to inspire students to become lifelong learners that exhibit strength of character and contribute positively to a global society. During his twenty three years with the district, he has been a big proponent of using technology to engage students in rigorous content. All five schools in Mineola have been recognized as Apple distinguished schools. Mineola is also a member of the League of Innovative Schools, Dr. Nagler is the Chairperson of the Advisory Board.
Mineola was one of the first schools in the State to implement a comprehensive computer science curriculum starting in kindergarten. Mineola is also at the forefront of digital student portfolios. Dr. Nagler recently utilized the Districts coding platform to create his own digital portfolio. http://michaelnagler.oyosite.com
Dr. Nagler was the 2020 New York State Superintendent of the Year and was a Finalist for the 2020 National Superintendent of the Year. He recent published a book entitled: The Design Thinking, Entrepreneurial, Visionary Planning Leader- a Practical Guide for Thriving in Ambiguity
3:15pm ET
Industry Perspective: Leveraging Classroom Tech in Meaningful and Intentional Ways
Sponsor content provided by Promethean
In a world filled with technology at our fingertips and screens everywhere we go, it can be overwhelming trying to decide how and when to harness that power in the classroom. We’ll discuss how intentional and strategic planning can help improve student outcomes while modeling balance and healthy technology habits in the classroom.
In a world filled with technology at our fingertips and screens everywhere we go, it can be overwhelming trying to decide how and when to harness that power in the classroom. We’ll discuss how intentional and strategic planning can help improve student outcomes while modeling balance and healthy technology habits in the classroom.
Megan Van Wart
District Education Consultant,
Promethean
Megan Van Wart is a former Middle School Teacher, Instructional Coach and Staff Developer. She now works for Promethean as a District Education Consultant with the Allentown School District in Pennsylvania where she uses her unique skill set and experience to help teachers set and achieve instructional goals through the use of ActivPanels and ActivInspire. She has a passion for Social Studies, encouraging critical thinking skills and enhancing classroom experiences for teachers and students.
3:25pm ET
Panel Discussion: Good and Bad Uses of Educational Technology: How to Do It Right
Educators love it when technology is easy to use, boosts student learning and engagement, and generates a good return on investment of time and money. But they hate it when it is complicated and glitchy, has little impact on student performance, and wastes time and money. Bad or misguided use can sour educators on the potential of technology to enhance learning. But good uses can inspire educators to identify new and better ways to help students learn. Join us for a discussion about how to use technology effectively to improve instruction.
Kevin Bushweller oversees coverage of educational technology and learning environments for Education Week.
Diane Doersch
Senior Director of Information Technology,
Digital Promise
Diane W. Doersch is the Senior Director of Information Technology at Digital Promise. She was formerly a Chief Technology & Information Officer of a large Wisconsin School District. As a former classroom teacher, she has been involved in education for over 36 years. Diane holds a Masters Degree in Educational Technology from Lesley University and possesses her Certified Education Technology Leader (CETL) National Certificate from CoSN. Diane was a founding member and served as president of the WISEDash Local Consortium, a group of Wisconsin School Districts who built their own data warehouse. She is currently president of Northeast Wisconsin Women in Technology (WIT), an organization devoted to attracting, educating, and supporting women in the field of Technology. She is also the Consortium of School Networking’s (CoSN) National Chair and leads the Board of Directors. Diane is passionate about helping IT leaders grow and providing technology opportunities to ALL students to be college, career, and community ready, inspired to succeed in our diverse world.
Eva Mendoza
Chief Information Technology Officer,
San Antonio Independent School District, TX
Evangelina (Eva) Mendoza has contributed to the growth and success of many large Technology initiatives in three different educational systems. Since 2012, she has been part of the Information Technology department at San Antonio Independent School District and currently serves as the Chief Information Technology Officer. She has developed and led the financial and implementation strategies for the district to maximize funding through Bond, Erate, and Grants to purchase classroom technology in over 4,000 classrooms, upgrade network infrastructure and made a device available for every student. Eva is a proud alumni of San Antonio ISD and enjoys serving her community by providing access to innovative digital resources.
3:55pm ET
Industry Perspective: Tech Strategies to Support Educators and Accelerate Learning
Sponsor content provided by Microsoft
School leaders know that every student is unique and has different learning styles, abilities, interests, and backgrounds. To help educators save time in the classroom and unlock the full potential of each student, educators need solutions to support independent practice and provide educators and leaders with real-time and actionable insights. Discover how to harness the power of technology to deliver effective instruction and intervention while building the foundational and future-ready skills necessary to set students up for long-term success.
School leaders know that every student is unique and has different learning styles, abilities, interests, and backgrounds. To help educators save time in the classroom and unlock the full potential of each student, educators need solutions to support independent practice and provide educators and leaders with real-time and actionable insights. Discover how to harness the power of technology to deliver effective instruction and intervention while building the foundational and future-ready skills necessary to set students up for long-term success.
Joe Brazier
Worldwide K12 Strategy Lead,
Microsoft
Joe leads the K12 Strategy on the Worldwide Education Team. He works closely with our Education Industry colleagues, education partners, marketing, and device teams to help refine, develop and deliver our vision for the evolving landscape of K12 Education. Prior to taking this role Joe spent over a decade working in Special Education at all levels of the K12 system. He has worked to provide technology access and skills for students with social, cognitive, and/or physical obstacles to a typical learning experience.
4:05pm ET
Interactive Session: Let’s Talk About Tech
What are the biggest opportunities and challenges in using technology to improve K-12 instruction? We will survey the audience to find out what participants think are the best and worst uses of educational technology, as well as how artificial intelligence is likely to shape teaching and learning.
Arianna Prothero covers technology, student well-being, and the intersection of the two for Education Week.
4:15pm ET
Closing Thoughts
Hear the big takeaways from the Forum.
Lauraine Langreo is an Education Week staff writer, covering education technology, student well-being, and college and workforce readiness.
