Technology in Rural Schools: Addressing the Challenges of Digital Equity

Presented by Jennifer Austin, Instructional Technology Coordinator, Lac du Flambeau Public School (WI); Michael Flood, Vice President of Strategy, Kajeet; and Tammy Neil, Computer Science Teacher, Suwannee Middle School (FL)
Hosted by Dr. Beth Holland, Digital Equity and Rural Project Director, CoSN

Co-hosted by CoSN and edWeb.net

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In the second edWebinar of the “Technology in Rural Schools” series, CoSN’s Beth Holland hosts Jennifer Austin, Instructional Technology Coordinator at the Lac du Flambeau Public School in Wisconsin; Michael Flood, Vice President of Strategy at Kajeet; and Tammy Neil, a computer science teacher from Suwanee, Florida, to discuss the challenges of digital equity in rural schools and systems. Within each school or district, it is important that students have equitable access to devices, high-speed internet, quality instruction, and meaningful learning opportunities. However, given their geography and context, rural schools and systems face unique challenges when addressing digital equity both inside and outside of school. As these presenters explain, each rural context presents different challenges and opportunities.

This recorded edWebinar will be of particular value to superintendents, assistant superintendents, district technology leaders, and school leaders in rural schools.

About the Presenters

Jennifer Austin, CETL, serves as the instructional technology coordinator at the Lac du Flambeau Public School in Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin. She has been with the district since 1999 as both a teacher and the technology coordinator.

Michael Flood currently serves as Vice President of Strategy at Kajeet. In his role, Michael leads strategy addressing equity and scalability of mobile technology in the education market while focusing on technology’s transformative role in education. Michael also serves on the Board of Directors for the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) as well as CoSN’s Emerging Technology Committee, Digital Equity Committee, Leadership for Digital Learning initiative, and Independent, Charter, and Parochial Schools committee. Additionally, Michael serves on the Leadership team for ISTE’s Digital Equity PLN and volunteers with many other non-profit and leadership organizations in the education community. He has bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Georgia Tech and Emory University, respectively.

Tammy Neil is a computer science teacher at Suwannee Middle School in Suwannee County, FL. She teaches grades six through eight in the growing CTE program at the school. Outside of the classroom, she is the lead organizer for Edcamp Suwannee and also co-moderates #FLedChat and #RuralEdChat each week on Twitter. She is a Google Certified Trainer and has presented at several conferences on the power of connections through social media.

About the Host

Dr. Beth Holland serves as Digital Equity and Rural Project Director for the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN). Over the past 20 years, she has taught in K-12 classrooms, served as Director of Academic Technology in a PS-8 independent school, designed professional learning programs for schools around the world, and developed leadership programs to support systemic change. Additionally, she is a prolific writer, researcher, and speaker. Dr. Holland holds a Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) in entrepreneurial leadership in education from Johns Hopkins University, a Master of Education (Ed.M.) in technology, innovation, and education from Harvard University, as well as a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in communications from Northwestern University.

Join the Tech for Rural Districts community to network with educators, participate in online discussions, receive invitations to upcoming edWebinars, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates.

CoSN (the Consortium for School Networking) is the premier professional association for school system technology leaders. CoSN provides thought leadership resources, community, best practices and advocacy tools to help leaders succeed in the digital transformation. CoSN represents over 13 million students in school districts nationwide and continues to grow as a powerful and influential voice in K-12 education.