Today’s technology-based learning environment can be complex. How are districts addressing the move to digital learning environments? What policy changes are underway? What do all of these changes mean for schools struggling with tight budgets?
Connecting the Dots allows attendees to learn from each other and further investigate some of the hot technology issues in education. This event will be offered free to the education community and features interactive group discussions. Event attendees will rotate through five to six roundtables and share challenges, information and best practices with their peers from around the region.
This event will also feature an interactive panel of education technologists who will highlight the technology initiatives at their respective districts.
This fast-paced session will convene K-12 district and Department of Education staff to discuss, reflect and prepare for what is to come.
You are invited to participate in roundtable group discussions on topics such as:
This completely interactive event will further examine these issues and explore new ways to align educational strategic planning, technology and available funding resources.
MORNING KEYNOTE:
Thomas Ryan, Ph.D., Senior Fellow, Center for Digital Education
Tom Ryan is president of eMMERSION Learning and Education 360, a non-profit organization. He recently retired from Albuquerque Public Schools, NM, where he last served as CIO. He has worked for public education for over 31 years, and has a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Learning Technologies from NMSU.
Ryan is a national board member of the Consortium of School Network, a senior fellow with the Center for Digital Education and board member on Innovate + Educate. He is also a member of several New Mexico statewide boards, and has served as adjunct faculty for the University of New Mexico designing and teaching courses online. He works with several national committees such as iNACOL and the Council of Great City Schools.
HOST / CLOSING KEYNOTE:
John Halpin, Vice President Strategic Programs, Center for Digital Education
John Halpin serves as the Vice President Strategic Programs 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.
8:00 a.m. – Registration / Continental Breakfast
8:30 a.m. – Welcome
8:45 a.m. – Morning Keynote
The role of technology in school districts has become critical to the success of students and teachers. Blended learning, e-textbooks, online credit for graduation and online assessments are a few of the many factors leading to a transformation of our classrooms. Leadership and strategic planning is also critical to bridge the gap between instruction and operations. This session will highlight ways to transform the practice of education using digital resources.
Thomas Ryan, PhD, Senior Fellow, Center for Digital Education
9:30 a.m. – Roundtable Discussion Rotation Begins
Rotation 1: 9:35 to 10:15 a.m. – Discussion
10:15 to 10:20 a.m. – Audience Response
10:20 a.m. – Break
Rotation 2: 10:30 to 11:10 a.m. – Discussion
11:10 to 11:15 a.m. – Audience Response
Rotation 3: 11:15 to 11:55 a.m. – Discussion
11:55 a.m. to Noon – Audience Response
Noon – Lunch
12:30 p.m. – District Leadership Panel
This panel discussion will feature technology and curriculum leaders from some of the local area districts. Panelists will share both current and future district initiatives, highlight successes and discuss pressing concerns in an interactive format.
Moderator
John Halpin, Vice President Strategic Programs, Center for Digital Education
Panel
Colleen Dixon, Executive Director of Educational Technology, Issaquah School District 411, WA
Joshua J. Garcia, EdD, Assistant Superintendent, Teaching for Learning, Federal Way Public Schools, WA
Shaun Taylor, Executive Director, Technology Services, Tacoma Public Schools, WA
1:10 p.m. – Roundtable Discussion Rotation Continues
Rotation 4: 1:10 to 1:50 p.m. – Discussion
1:50 to 1:55 p.m. – Audience Response
Roundtable Discussion Topics
Policy and Practice for Internet Safety
In 2008, Congress passed the Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act. This law requires school districts to update their Internet use policies to indicate that they are educating their students about appropriate online behavior and addressing cyber bullying. In August 2011, the FCC issued guidelines which impact CIPA and eRate compliance. Policies must be updated by July 2012. The new policy requirements reflect the fact that the Internet has become a ubiquitous part of all of our lives, and that safety has become an increasing concern for parents and educators. This is particularly true with the increased use of social media in education. This roundtable will explore the new policy requirements and methods to address social media in education, cyber bullying, digital citizenship and more.
Facilitator: Mike Donlin, Program Supervisor, The Safety Center, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, State of Washington
The Mobile Device and Application Explosion in Education: How to Address the Dilemma and Simpli-Fi the Problem
Today, mobile devices and applications have become more and more prominent in the classroom, making high-speed wireless networking fundamental to learning and communication experiences. Schools have quickly become the forefront for the "all wireless access layer" with the influx of wireless devices though BYOD and 1-1 initiatives, making performance, reliability, security and cost paramount. This roundtable discussion will address this mobile device dilemma and discuss how to prepare your network’s architecture in terms of scalability, service survivability, integration, application control and simpli-fi-cation – how to do more with less.
Facilitator: Troy Roberts, Regional Sales Manager, Aerohive Networks
The Changing Classroom Environment – What You Need to Know
The traditional classroom is undergoing a major shift. Increased access to the Internet and mobile devices has allowed learning environments to become virtual and always available. Schools and districts are now increasingly incorporating new instructional methods such as hybrid learning environments, virtual schools, flipped classrooms and more. While these new models open the doors to flexible and more individualized instruction, they can also mean a new delivery frontier for many school districts. This discussion will highlight the latest trends and will investigate questions such as:
Facilitators: Bob Beckett, Senior Account Executive, Comcast Business Class
Todd Elliott, Director of Enterprise Sales, Comcast Business Class
Supporting Classroom Technology Management
At any given time, today’s classrooms can be outfitted with multiple pieces of technology. A single teacher could be tasked with using his/her own laptop, running an electronic whiteboard or overhead projector, manipulating student response devices and supporting student computing devices (tablets, computers, etc.). This can divide a teacher’s attention, making monitoring the needs of each student more challenging. How can this be managed so classes are getting the maximum benefit from these devices? This session will discuss the overriding issues or concerns with classroom technology management and discuss how districts can successfully support their teachers.
Facilitator: Diane Ashby, National Education Business Development Manager, Samsung Electronics America, Inc.
1:55 p.m. – Break
2:05 p.m. – Table Discussion Wrap-up
2:15 p.m. – Closing Keynote: The Evolving Ed Tech Landscape
The closing keynote will “connect the dots” between some of the hot topics in education today and their impact on today’s students. This session will showcase some of the latest research and provide a national perspective on current and future trends. Topical issues include:
John Halpin, Vice President Strategic Programs, Center for Digital Education
2:40 p.m. – Adjourn
Room Reservations
Contact the hotel directly for reservations.
Parking (subject to change)
The hotel has complimentary parking onsite.
Ground Transportation
The hotel has free airport shuttle service, free shuttle to the Light Rail Station and free shuttle services within a two-mile radius. The Sea-Tac Airport Shuttle Service runs 24 hours a day. Call the hotel when you have arrived at the waiting areas at Island #1 or Island #3 only. These islands are located one floor above baggage claim, cross over the sky bridge, go down one floor to floor #3. Then call from the island. Return shuttles can be scheduled with the front desk.
