Improving school districts’ technology infrastructure and capabilities became more important than ever when COVID-19 first arrived. Now, the ongoing efforts to develop and secure schools’ computer systems remain crucial and challenging as district officials respond to fast-changing situations and make plans for the future.
Presented by Ethan Caren, Director of Information & Technology Services, Clay County District Schools (FL); Elvis K. Teah, Network Manager, Baltimore City Public Schools (MD); and Michael McKerley, President, ENA
Moderated by Dr. Tom Ryan, Co-Founder, K-12 Strategic Technology Advisory Group (K12STAG)
Digital learning not only plays a crucial role in preparing today’s students for the jobs of tomorrow, it also has an important role in providing equity and access to education, especially in smaller and remote school districts. And, that makes access to adequate and reliable broadband even more important as the development of new technologies continues. The State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) is now preparing to accommodate next-generation technologies such as 5G, virtual reality, robotics, and e-sports, and during a recent SETDA and ENA edWebinar, Christine Fox, the group’s Deputy Executive Director, provided an overview of the opportunities and challenges that schools and districts now face. Marc Johnson, Executive Director of East Central Minnesota Educational Cable Cooperative (ECMECC), then provided perspective from a regional and local level on the expanding use of broadband.
Learn how a cooperative of regional networks in Minnesota supports broadband development and leadership for Minnesota school districts.
If the workday of an adult typically requires seamless broadband access, then it’s reasonable that today’s students need the same access during their school day. After all, schools are preparing them for their future careers, which will include using some aspect of online technology. Recently, SETDA released State K-12 Broadband Leadership: Driving Connectivity, Access and Student Success, which looks at the current state of broadband access and how states are supporting teachers and students.
In this report, SETDA builds upon the research and recommendations from prior publications with a focus on the role of state leadership in supporting districts and schools to increase high-speed connectivity and access for students and educators.