Presentation Summary: As an Education Technology professional, you know the unique challenges of securing diverse user populations – from elementary students to administrative staff. This session cuts through the noise of outdated password advice, specifically debunking the myth that "complex" passwords with forced frequent changes enhance security. Instead, we'll dive into the latest NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) guidelines (specifically SP 800-63-4) and their practical application for K-12.

This session will provide actionable, free or low-cost tools and strategies that you can immediately take back to your district to improve password hygiene and foster a stronger security culture. We'll explore effective ways to educate users on why these practices are crucial, moving beyond technical jargon to real-world impact.

Presentation Summary: Communication breakdown between teachers and tech staff? Drowning in the jargon of education and IT? Can’t tell your SAMR from your SUDO? This session provides a roadmap to build a shared language between educators and IT staff, getting everyone towards the same end goal - student success.

Presentation Summary: In our District, we’ve seen an explosion of requests to record and stream events, from board meetings and webinars to concerts and promotion ceremonies.  We’ll share with you what we’ve learned, what worked for us, where we failed, and how we manage our limited resources to make content accessible.

Presentation Summary: Digital Signage is a growing request in school buildings, as an easy way to show information in an eye-catching format.  These displays can be used to show cycle days, upcoming events, even live video from other areas of the school.  Hear from one school district IT team what worked, what didn’t, and what you should consider.

Presentation Summary: This past year, our tech team had some major projects that, well, didn't go so well. In this session, I'm going to share with you some easy and effective strategies and tools to help your next project go smoothly, without needing a PMP! (What is a PMP? Come to the session and find out!)

Presented with Brandon Lutz, Director of Technology, School District of Springfield Township

Presentation Summary: Feeling the pressure to implement AI in your schools? You're not alone! This session dives into the practical steps our district took to navigate the exciting, but complex, world of AI in education.

Join us as we share our experience with:

• Forming an AI Committee: 

  • We'll discuss the composition of our committee, its role in research and selection, and key considerations for effective AI implementation.

• Tools We Love: 

  • Learn about the AI-powered tools that have made a positive impact in our classrooms, from personalized learning platforms to administrative assistants.

• Tools We're Avoiding (and Why):

  • Not all AI is created equal. Discover the red flags we identified during our evaluation process and the tools we decided to hold off on.

• Unveiling the Back End: 

  • AI tools aren't magic. We'll delve into the essential back-end considerations for a successful AI implementation, including data security and infrastructure needs.