Which school and library functions require internet connectivity?
A. Tracking buses on their daily routes
B. Turning on/off lights and ensuring HVAC systems work efficiently
C. Monitoring security cameras and building safety resources
D. All of the above
Superintendents constantly take stock of their districts’ technology landscape—what’s working, what’s not, and what’s next. But as superintendents noted during the edLeader Panel “Leading and Sustaining Technology Innovations in Today’s School District Settings,” the scope of that is overwhelming. That’s why they shouldn’t do it alone. Based on key findings from CoSN’s U.S. State of EdTech 2026 report, the panelists offered their strategies for managing the ever-changing edtech landscape.
Literacy is a right for all students, yet many learners read below proficiency. Throughout the edLeader Panel “The Literacy Crisis: If It’s a Right, Why Is It Still a Privilege?” experts had a conversation about implementing practices that give students equitable literacy learning opportunities.
With what seems like endless AI use dominating the news cycle, educators find it hard to know which applications truly support learning and expand student knowledge. During the edLeader Panel “Improving Literacy Outcomes with AI: Lessons from Schools Around the World,” seasoned education leaders shared their success with AI-powered tools, including free tools like Microsoft Reading Progress, to expand reading practice, provide timely feedback, and address learning gaps sooner. The panel took place on International Literacy Day.
At the heart of every IEP (Individualized Education Plan) are educators trying to teach, provide intervention, and support students so they can thrive. In the mix are documentation and compliance; they matter, but not at the expense of what drives student outcomes.
In this increasingly connected digital age, it’s crucial that students develop an understanding of cybersecurity so that they’re prepared to succeed and be safe in the world.
What if your students could literally reach out and touch one of the 12 baboons painted in King Tut’s tomb—without ever leaving the classroom? Immersive reality and interactive 3D learning experiences have become more common in K-12 instruction on their own, but when combined in a designated space, the technologies rewrite how students learn, and engagement soars.
When planning for change in any capacity, it’s common to think mainly about the process that’s being changed. That narrowed focus, though, can obscure the human part of the process. During the edLeader Panel “Leading Change: Adaptability Is the Skill of the Moment!” Steve Murley, retired superintendent and Managing Partner at SFM Consulting Group, shared a revised approach that emphasizes change leadership, and not just management, in order to achieve a successful outcome. The session was part of Trailblazing Leadership Week, featuring thought-provoking conversations with education leaders from across the nation.
AI and students. That’s a combination that strikes fear across the education community. Teachers worry they could be replaced by technology, parents worry about screen time, and students worry they won’t learn how to think. But as with all new digital tools, the question is not whether to use it or not but how it can be used to enhance student learning.
As debates about screen time ramp up, the technology whiplash in schools continues. Once touting the edtech tools they had adopted, many districts are heeding the increasing calls to limit screen time—sometimes almost removing it entirely. But there’s a vast difference between using an educational tool to create a presentation and endlessly scrolling on a phone.