Generation Alpha: Digital natives, visual learners, short attention spans, struggles with face-to-face skills. These are just a few characteristics of the current generation of students that educators must consider as they develop their lessons. But now that AI has become ubiquitous in both home and work environments, administrators need to think about how their schools will integrate AI into their classrooms so that students are prepared for jobs of the future.
“Uh oh” and “Oh no”—in 2022, that was the typical, collective reaction of administrators and educators to using generative AI in the classroom. From concerns about cheating to students falling behind on essential skills, the initial reaction was extreme apprehension. In 2024, though, schools have started creating policies and guidelines for using generative AI with K-12 students.
Presented by Jeff McCoy, Associate Superintendent for Academics, Greenville County Schools (SC); Dr. Kimberley Markus, CEO, Education Advisors; Casey Rimmer, Executive Director of K-12 Curriculum and Instruction, Union County Public Schools (NC); Dr. Shawn Bird, Deputy Superintendent, San Antonio Independent School District (TX); and Dr. Jennifer Ferrari, CEO and President, ERDI
As school technology gets more sophisticated, so do cybercriminals, but school leaders can’t sit back and wait for someone to hand them solutions. During the edLeader Panel “Cybersecurity in School District Settings: A District Leadership Approach,” three innovative superintendents discussed strategies to try and stay ahead of cyber issues even when the landscape is constantly evolving.
Presented by Conrad Wolfram, Strategic Director, European Co-Founder and CEO, Wolfram, and Author, The Math(s) Fix; and Jay Meadows, Former Middle School Math and Science Teacher, CEO, Exemplars
Presented by Dr. Peter J. Aiken, Superintendent, Central York School District (PA); Dr. Karen Cheser, Superintendent, Durango School District 9-R (CO); Dr. Jason Harris, Superintendent, Columbia School District (MS); and Pete Just, CETL, Executive Director, Indiana CTO Council
Moderated by Ann McMullan, Project Director, CoSN/AASA EmpowerED Superintendents Initiative, CoSN (Consortium for School Networking)
Each year, CoSN conducts a national survey among education technology leaders to assess the current state of technology innovation across multiple school systems. Five specific current challenges were identified in the 2024 survey results: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cybersecurity, Student Well-Being, Digital Equity, and Interoperability.
Presented by Timothy Broadrick, Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools, Prospect Mountain Schools (NH); Kelly May-Vollmar, Ed.D., Superintendent, Desert Sands Unified School District (CA); and Glenn Robbins, Superintendent, Brigantine Public School District (NJ)
Moderated by Ann McMullan, Project Director, CoSN/AASA EmpowerED Superintendents Initiative, CoSN (Consortium for School Networking)
Presented by Dr. Matthew Friedman, Superintendent of Schools, Quakertown Community School District (PA); Paula Maylahn, Project Director, CoSN (Consortium for School Networking); Dr. Michael Nagler, Superintendent, Mineola Union Free School District (NY); and Dr. Avis Williams, Superintendent, NOLA Public Schools (LA)
Presented by Kristen DiCerbo, Ph.D., Chief Learning Officer, Khan Academy; and Wendy Amato, Ph.D., Chief Academic Officer, K12 Coalition