This is one in a series of six events for education technologists.
Today’s education landscape is changing dramatically. New external and internal forces are exerting a profound impact on the US education system, and today’s educators will need to plan strategically to meet these challenges. Issues that today’s education system are facing include:
• National demand for high skill workers
• The changing market place – disappearing industries and preparing students for jobs that are not yet invented
• A retiring population and the largest group of students in K12 since the baby boomers
• Unprecedented fiscal pressure on state budgets
• Managing the significant role of technology in schools while maintaining aging infrastructure
This roundtable event will further examine these issues and explore new ways to align educational strategic planning with economic development.
You are invited to participate in roundtable discussions on topics such as:
• Strategies for Funding Innovation
• Break-Out School Model Strategies
• Infrastructure Planning for Student Achievement
• Outside the School Walls Learning Opportunities
• New Uses for Student Data
• Workforce Development
More than just a briefing, this fast paced planning session will convene K12 and higher education leaders and executives from state and local workforce development teams around an agenda designed for specific “take away” implementation ideas.
This event will be held in conjunction with GTC West: The California Digital Government Summit.
Closing Keynote
John Halpin, Vice President, Center for Digital Education
John Halpin serves as the Vice President for the Center for Digital Education. He has worked in the public sector and information technology market for over 35 years.
As a veteran K-12 teacher, curriculum coordinator and college professor, Halpin has consulted with industry and the public sector to help promote the use of technology in education. He has also led sales and marketing efforts for some of the largest technology companies. In addition, Halpin has contributed to industry and professional publications as a writer and speaker. He has written for various outlets, including the national Business Journal Group, the McClatchy Newspapers chain and various corporate industry publications. He speaks often on public sector technology issues before national professional associations, various state leadership councils and technology companies.
10:30 am Registration
11:00 am Welcome and Kick Off
11:10 am Spotlight Presentation:
Setting the Stage - What to Cut? What to Keep? How Can Education Plan for the Future?
Due to difficult budgets, most school leaders are being forced to take an inventory of what programs they can keep and what has to be disbanded. The opening speaker will offer ideas for K12, higher education along with state and local workforce teams to strategically plan for the future of their schools. Now is the time for education executives to take stock of what has been successful and preserve those activities.
At the same time we must look forward and plan for new ways to meet the challenges ahead. The strategic planning focus of the event will help leaders remember to focus on gaining efficiencies, getting priorities straight and how to leverage technology and partnerships to create success in the most important sector of our communities; education.
Carolyn Ross, Superintendent, Churchill County School District, NV
11:30 am Roundtable Discussion Rotation Begins
Table 1: 11:30 am to Noon
Table 2: Noon to 12:30 pm
12:30 pm Lunch
1:00 pm Roundtable Discussion Rotation Continues
Table 3: 1:00 to 1:30 pm
Table 4: 1:30 to 2:00 pm
Table 5: 2:00 to 2:30 pm
Table 6: 2:30 to 3:00 pm
Roundtable Discussion Topics:
ROUNDTABLE #1: Tailoring Education and Talent Development to Support Regional Economic Development
This session will explore the role that P-20 schools, businesses and government have as stakeholders in tomorrow’s workforce, and methods to align curriculum and other resources with the needs of a changing marketplace. In order to facilitate sustainable and flexible economic growth, it is becoming increasingly important that the education community understand and prepare students for the job demands for your region. The curriculum that we are teaching in schools directly impacts a student’s ability to be successful and employable in the future.
This roundtable will discuss:
• How to leverage regional data to improve student achievement and build a pipeline of qualified workers.
• Methods to develop and empower student talent throughout their education
• How to foster partnerships to create communities for success
• Ways to engage and inspire students about planning for the future
• Available funding opportunities
Andy Vaughan, Director, Strategic Programs, Monster Public Sector & Education
ROUNDTABLE #2: Professional Development Strategies for Today’s Teachers
Teachers have the responsibility of preparing today's students for tomorrow’s careers. A large and vital aspect of that preparedness is possessing a workable knowledge of modern technology, which requires teachers to remain current as new technologies emerge. Continuous professional development is critical to our educational system and, ultimately, will affect each student. Educators must continue to learn and grow throughout their careers – not only to pass along this information, but to better relate to the Digital Natives in their classrooms. This session will explore methods to train, support and retain teachers so they are able to instruct their students and have a positive impact on student achievement. It will also explore ideas to overcome possible barriers to achieving this goal.
Cliff Rudnick, Administrator, Education Technology Office, California Department of Education
ROUNDTABLE #3: Social Media and Its Place in Modern Classrooms
New media, social networking, mobility. Educators and administrators are looking to understand how these tools are best embraced in the classroom and throughout the district. The truth is that mobility and social media tools have everything to do with the future of education, work, our communities and economy. This table will share best practice strategies for bringing online learning, safe social networking and professional learning communities all together to promote teamwork and collaboration. Additionally, information recently gathered from a California superintendent “listening tour” will be shared with roundtable participants about what California executives think about communication tools and strategies for their districts.
Kelley Day, Program Manager, California Learning Resource Network
Joe Schlegel, Sales Manager, California Education Vertical,Verizon Business
ROUNDTABLE #4: Budget Challenges and Ideas for Tough Economic Times
Most educators can tell you that the fiscal challenges of today’s economy have already had a profound impact on today’s schools. All education roles come together to prepare for today’s shrinking budgets. How do you meet the education needs of students while operating on limited resources? Where do you find additional money? This discussion will look at ways districts are able to find income, cut expenses, leverage technology and make the most effective fiscal evaluations on investments. We will also explore the latest money saving technology such as desktop virtualization, including shared desktops, a truly low-cost PC alternative technology using innovative software and hardware design. Attendees are encouraged to bring their ideas to discuss with the group.
Brett Olsen, Education Vertical Representative, Wyse Technology
Marianne Pack, Director, California Technology Assistance Project, Delta Sierra Region 6
John Shafer, Microsoft Windows Multimedia Division
ROUNDTABLE #5: Managing Costs and the Power of Unified Communications
The price of bandwidth continually decreases; the number of Internet users and the multitude of devices used by students grow exponentially; the speed of the technology life-cycle increases, but the cost to manage this infrastructure (people and technology) grows faster than the growth of our schools’ budgets.
This roundtable will discuss:
Table Host: Qwest®
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3:00 pm Roundtable Recap
3:10 pm Closing Keynote
Connecting the Dots – How Today’s Hot Issues Impact Schools and What to Do About It
The closing keynote will “connect the dots” between the headlines and their impact on today’s students. In the midst of tremendous change and opportunity, it is often difficult to keep up with changing educational environment, let alone have time to focus on the impact. How might you be affected by Race to the Top? How can you provide better workforce development? What impact will pending E-Rate changes have in your district? How might the Obama Administration’s EETT proposals impact your funding? How are campus management systems addressing student needs while keeping costs down? The closing keynote will address the latest timely issues facing schools and discuss ways to maximize on current opportunities.
John Halpin, Vice President, Center for Digital Education
3:35 pm Network and Dessert
4:15 pm Adjourn
Parking
Parking for the Sacramento Convention Center Complex is available at the city-run Memorial Garage at 14th and H Streets and privately owned lots within walking distance of the facilities. Parking rates vary by location and event. On-Street parking meters, requiring quarters or debit cards, are also available and surround the Convention Center. Parking for visitors with disabilities can be found in the parking lots and at meters.
