“Technology is constantly changing the way students learn and how teachers teach. School systems are in the midst of a digital leap, moving away from the traditional into the world of elearning. The success of this shift depends as much on the people and culture of the system as it does on the technology used. The CoSN 2018 Annual Conference will focus on the ways that school systems can change their organizational culture, embrace a culture of digital options and accelerate success.

CoSN has designed special tracks that meet your specific needs:

• Small District Track
• Large District Track (and Forum)
• International Sessions

The CoSN 2018 Annual Conference is organized around three Focus Areas:

Ubiquity and Access: How do we ensure that all learners can truly be “continuously connected” both in school and outside?

• What new strategies can we adopt to help ensure equity through technology access in our schools?
• How do we ensure broadband connectivity for learning that bridges learning at school and beyond?
• What are the strategies that can be employed to extend connected learning in low access areas and non-connected homes?
• How do we find the funding needed to be continuously connected?
• What access is required for learning (education broadband) and what should be left to families or the community (non-education broadband use, i.e. consumer use)?

Vision & Leadership: How do we as leaders cope with complexity of constant connectivity as the new norm?

• How can we build a district culture with the flexibility and vision to successfully accomplish the digital leap?
• What models of professional development can help us meet new demands?
• How do our schools remain relevant and support learning with minimized barriers?
• How does the shift toward online and hybrid learning impact the evolution of education?
• How should we leverage technology to personalize learning?
• How can schools partner with non-educational entities in their community to gain the momentum to minimize barriers to e-learning for all students?

Pioneering Innovation: How do we create educational eco-systems for continual improvement?

• What structures can help prevent silos in your district’s leadership and promote a spirit of coordination for your move away from analog to more digital learning?
• How can technology enable the learning by doing maker movement?
• How do we ignite a Renaissance for learning that is multidisciplinary and allows the learner to pursue his or her passions?

All concurrent sessions will be tagged to identify what primary skills they highlight from CoSN’s Framework of Essential Skills:

Leadership and Vision: Work closely with the executive team and stakeholders to develop a shared vision with long-term, big-picture perspectives on district goals to plan for meaningful and effective uses of technology; provide leadership when creating a vision of how technology will help meet district goals.

Strategic Planning: Have a high-level view across the school system and work with instructional and technical teams to identify steps needed to transform the technology vision into a long-range plan, complete with specific goals, objectives, and action plans.

Ethics & Policies: Manage the creation, implementation, and enforcement of policies and educational programs relating to the social, legal, and ethical issues related to technology use throughout the district and modeling responsible decision-making.

Instructional Focus & Professional Development: Budget, plan, and coordinate ongoing, purposeful professional development for all staff using technologies; ensure a sufficient budget through the implementation and assessment process of emerging technologies.

Team Building & Staffing: Play an integral role in the district’s strategic planning process; create and support cross-functional teams for decision-making, technology support, professional development, and other aspects of the district’s technology program.

Stakeholder Focus: Use technology to improve communication, directing and coordinating the use of e-mail, district websites, web tools, voice mail systems, and other forms of communication to facilitate decision-making and to enhance effective communication with key stakeholders.

Information Technology Management: Direct, coordinate, and ensure implementation of all tasks related to technical, infrastructure, standards, and integration of technology into every facet of district operations.

Communication Systems Management: Use technology to improve communication, directing and coordinating the use of e-mail, district websites, web tools, voice mail systems, and other forms of communication to facilitate decision-making and to enhance effective communication with key stakeholders.

Business Management: Manage the budget and serve as a strong business leader who guides purchasing decisions, determines the return on investment for all technology implementations, and fosters good relationships with vendors, potential funders, and other key groups.

Data Management: Manage the establishment and maintenance of systems and tools for gathering, mining, integrating, and reporting data in usable and meaningful ways to produce an information culture in which data management is critical to strategic planning.”

Extract from the website