How do you empower and equip your educators with AI literacy, especially when they have various levels of knowledge, experience, and attitude?
Join our session to explore a research-based approach for designing professional learning that supports the growth of all of your adult learners. We’ll examine the stages of adoption from awareness and interest, evaluation and trial, to adoption and advocacy. Key questions and coaching supports to help your educators move from passive consumers to more active creators will be explored. We will share our experiences in delivering PD to build AI literacy and provide guidance for participants interested in implementing this framework in their own school or district.
Key Take Aways:
Presenters:
Emma Braaten
Director of Digital Learning
The Friday Institute for Educational Innovation
Raleigh, North Carolina
Jaclyn B. Stevens
Interim Director, Senior Research Scholar
William and Ida Friday Institute for Educational Innovation | NCSU
Raleigh, North Carolina
Watch the webinar:
CoSN Developing AI Innovation through the Stages of Adoption
William & Ida Friday Institute for Educational Innovation
The Sessions Everyone Was Talking About Webinar Series
Missed CoSN2025 in Seattle or couldn’t attend every session? Don’t worry—we’re bringing the most popular, standing-room-only presentations to you in a special webinar series. Learn from top EdTech leaders from across the country—no travel needed!
CoSN is vendor-neutral and does not endorse products or services. Any mention of a specific solution is for contextual purposes.
For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit:
https://www.cosn.org/
Produced in partnership with edCircuit.
Protecting student data privacy is a complex undertaking, but you don't have to go it alone. Learn actionable insights you can use in your own privacy work, all in 30 minutes or less.
This is a webinar on the building a technology privacy vetting program as part of the CoSN Privacy Awareness efforts and Trust Learning Environment.
Moderator:
Linnette Attai
Project Director for CoSN’s Student Data Privacy Initiative and Trusted Learning Environment Program.
Guests:
Laurie Boedicker
Director of Curriculum and Instruction for Highland Local Schools (OH)
Leann Kidd
Executive Director, Technology Services at Northside ISD (TX)
Kate Masterson
Assistant Director of Digital Security & Privacy at Carmel Clay Schools (IN)
Mike Van Vuren
Deputy superintendents at Bozeman School District (MT)
Helpful Links:
Privacy Practices in Action – Building a Technology Privacy and Security Vetting Program Webinar
Trusted Learning Environment Seal (TLE Seal)
Building a Trusted Learning Environment: Understanding the Leadership Practice
CoSN is vendor-neutral and does not endorse products or services. Any mention of a specific solution is for contextual purposes.
For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit:
https://www.cosn.org/
Produced in partnership with edCircuit.
This episode of the CoSN Podcast is sponsored by Infosys.
Artificial intelligence is no longer a future concept in K–12 education—it is already transforming classrooms, district operations, and leadership decision-making. In this episode of the CoSN Podcast, host Stephen Gilfus, a technology and education industry leader and industry advisor in IT, cybersecurity, AI, and education, leads a timely discussion on how AI is moving from experimentation to meaningful impact. Stephen is joined by Dr. Tom Ryan, Co-Founder of the K–12 Strategic Technology Advisory Group and former CoSN Board Chair, and Narayan Nandigam (Nandi), Vice President and Global Head of Services and Education at Infosys. Together, they explore what makes this moment in AI fundamentally different from past technology waves—and what education leaders should prioritize as adoption accelerates.
Key Takeaways
AI is a productivity accelerator, not just another edtech tool
Educators are already using AI to save time on lesson planning, assessments, and operational tasks—freeing them to focus more deeply on instruction, relationships, and student engagement.
Leadership and values must guide AI adoption
AI initiatives are most effective when they align with district values, instructional goals, and operational priorities—not when they are deployed simply because the technology exists.
Responsible AI requires governance, training, and human oversight
Transparency, equity-first design, data privacy protections, and continuous professional learning are essential to ensure AI enhances critical thinking and learner agency rather than replacing them.
Why It Matters
As AI adoption accelerates across education systems worldwide, this conversation offers practical, grounded guidance for K–12 leaders navigating innovation, ethics, and impact—helping districts move from experimentation to intentional, responsible use.
Moderator
Stephen Gilfus
A technology and education industry leader, a board member, and industry advisor to multiple for-profit and nonprofit organizations focused on IT, cybersecurity, AI, and education, including ISACA, a global professional organization. Stephen started his career as a founder of Blackboard Inc.
Guests
Narayan Nandigam (Nandi)
Vice President and Global Head of Services and Education at Infosys. Narayan leads business services, professional services, and education initiatives, driving innovation and operational excellence across global client engagements. He has played a key role in shaping Infosys’ integrated experience solutions for the education and real estate sectors.
Dr. Tom Ryan
Co-Founder of the K–12 Strategic Technology Advisory Group, longtime CIO, former CoSN Board Chair, and national thought leader on digital transformation in schools. Tom is also a Senior Fellow at the Center for Digital Education.
Additional Resources
Enterprise AI for Education: Success Stories - AI for Education
For more information, contact: Mitrankurm@infosys.com
The Council of the Great City Schools (CGCS) and the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) K-12 Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI) Readiness Checklist
Produced in partnership with edCircuit.
This episode was generated in part using AI tools. All content was reviewed and approved by CoSN and the edCircuit editorial team before publication.
Privacy leadership is no longer a “nice-to-have” in K–12 education—it’s an essential foundation for protecting student data, building trust, and ensuring districtwide compliance. In this episode, we break down insights from CoSN’s recent webinar, Privacy Practices in Action: Getting Started with Privacy Leadership, where district leaders shared how they launched and strengthened their privacy programs using the Trusted Learning Environment (TLE) framework.
Listeners will learn how two districts—Vance County Schools (NC) and Corpus Christi ISD (TX)—launched, strengthened, and sustained privacy programs grounded in the Trusted Learning Environment (TLE) framework.
What You’ll Learn
Why privacy leadership is essential for districtwide data protection.
How districts build buy-in from superintendents, board members, principals, and staff.
Practical tactics like using real incidents, creating clear documentation, and fostering cross-department collaboration.
Common challenges—such as limited time, outdated practices, or lack of documentation—and how leaders overcome them.
First steps for getting started, including gap analysis and setting small, achievable goals.
Key Takeaway
Privacy leadership is achievable for every district—large or small. With the right framework, collaboration, and incremental progress, districts can build strong, sustainable privacy programs that protect students and support learning.
Helpful Links:
Student Data Privacy: Privacy Practices in Action - Deep Dive
Trusted Learning Environment Seal (TLE Seal)
Building a Trusted Learning Environment: Understanding the Leadership Practice
For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit:
https://www.cosn.org/
Produced in partnership with edCircuit.
CoSN is vendor-neutral and does not endorse products or services. Any mention of a specific solution is for contextual purposes.
This episode was generated in part using AI tools. All content was reviewed and approved by CoSN and the edCircuit editorial team before publication.
Protecting student data privacy is a complex undertaking, but you don't have to go it alone. Learn actionable insights you can use in your own privacy work, all in 30 minutes or less.
In this webinar, you'll hear from education technology leaders about how they built privacy leadership in their districts.
Moderator:
Linnette Attai
Project Director for CoSN’s Student Data Privacy Initiative and Trusted Learning Environment Program.
Guests:
Marsha Abbott
Chief Technology Officer, Vance County Schools in North Carolina
Thomas Molina,
Chief Technology Information Security Officer for Corpus Christi ISD in Texas
Helpful Links:
Student Data Privacy: Privacy Practices in Action - Deep Dive
Trusted Learning Environment Seal (TLE Seal)
Building a Trusted Learning Environment: Understanding the Leadership Practice
CoSN is vendor-neutral and does not endorse products or services. Any mention of a specific solution is for contextual purposes.
For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit:
https://www.cosn.org/
Produced in partnership with edCircuit.
This podcast reviews a recent CoSN webinar, “We Survived a Cyber Incident: From Readiness to Recovery,” and explores how one school district successfully contained and recovered from a live cyberattack.
Episode Summary
In January 2024, an Arizona district faced a real cyber incident when a compromised service account allowed a threat actor into the network. Thanks to a strong Cyber Incident Response Plan, rapid quarantine, and a disciplined communication strategy, the district restored critical systems in under 24 hours with no evidence of data exfiltration.
Key Topics
How the incident was detected and escalated
Steps taken to isolate the threat and prevent spread
Rapid restoration using layered backups
Clear, controlled communication with leadership and staff
Post-incident improvements, including MFA expansion and service account cleanup
Why This Matters
The episode highlights actionable lessons on preparedness, planning, and leadership—showing how every district can strengthen cybersecurity before an incident occurs.
Assets
Watch the webinar:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REzmsuKmIkw
For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit:
https://www.cosn.org/
Produced in partnership with edCircuit.
CoSN is vendor-neutral and does not endorse products or services. Any mention of a specific solution is for contextual purposes.
This episode was generated in part using AI tools. All content was reviewed and approved by CoSN and the edCircuit editorial team before publication.
This story has a happy ending. In January 2024, the “not if but when” happened to us. We’d been cyber-attacked, and the bad guys were in the house.
Presenters:
Luke Allpress, CETL, MEd
Director of Innovative Solutions
Agua Fria Union High School District
Avondale, AZ
Brandon Gabel
Director of Information Technology
Agua Fria Union High School District
Avondale, AZ
It started off with a fairly normal outage. Internal sites were stuck, and printing stopped working. We halted all network traffic as we methodically checked possibilities: power, hardware, network servers/services. Then, our Manager of Network and Security found it—a service account doing way more than it should.
He immediately initiated a quarantine, isolating all network traffic, “locking the bad guys in the house” as we began our investigation. The two aims of a cyber threat actor, 1) exfiltrate data, 2) lock us out for ransom, were both mitigated by his quick, informed action. We survived with little loss to operations and no data loss, thanks to our plan. Come hear about the preparation and lessons learned from our first cyber incident.
Key Take Aways:
Slides, templates, etc.
Watch the webinar:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REzmsuKmIkw
The Sessions Everyone Was Talking About Webinar Series
Missed CoSN2025 in Seattle or couldn’t attend every session? Don’t worry—we’re bringing the most popular, standing-room-only presentations to you in a special webinar series. Learn from top EdTech leaders from across the country—no travel needed!
CoSN is vendor neutral and does not endorse products or services. Any mention of a specific solution is for contextual purposes.
For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit:
https://www.cosn.org/
Produced in partnership with edCircuit.
In this “From the Vault” episode, we revisit CoSN’s August 2024 webinar, “Trailblazing into 2025: Initiatives that Under-resourced, Suburban & Large Urban Districts Are Implementing Now.” We take a fresh look at the innovative strategies district leaders shared—from VR explorations and virtualized engineering labs to new professional learning structures, AI readiness, UDL integration, and pathways for achieving “yes” in complex environments.
This reflective discussion highlights why the themes from 2024 remain essential for district leaders planning in 2025 and beyond.
What You’ll Learn:
How VR is being used as an equity tool to expand access to transformative learning experiences
Why virtualizing labs and district systems can increase agility for small tech teams
How “learn at your own pace” professional learning structures are reshaping educator development
Ways districts are finding creative pathways from “no” to “yes” to drive innovation
How AI is being integrated into UDL strategies and teacher wellness initiatives
What intentional, student-centered AI adoption looks like in practice
Why This Matters:
Although recorded in 2024, the insights and strategies from this webinar continue to influence district planning, technology integration, and professional learning models in 2025.
Resources Mentioned:
CoSN Webinar: “Trailblazing into 2025”: Innovations from Under-Resourced, Suburban & Urban Districts
For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit:
https://www.cosn.org/
Produced in partnership with edCircuit.
This episode was generated in part using AI tools. All content was reviewed and approved by CoSN and the edCircuit editorial team before publication.
The products and services mentioned in this webinar are provided for informational purposes only. Their inclusion does not imply endorsement or sponsorship by CoSN or edCircuit.
In this episode, we unpack insights from CoSN’s recent webinar, AI, Automation, and the Future of K–12 Networks. The discussion explores how artificial intelligence and automation are transforming district operations—from network security and data management to staffing, readiness, and responsible adoption.
You’ll hear how district leaders and technology experts are using AI to strengthen cybersecurity, streamline help-desk operations, and prepare for a future where intelligent automation supports every aspect of learning and infrastructure.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
Operational AI in Action: How districts are using automation for help-desk support, network monitoring, and knowledge management.
Bridging the Skill Gap: Why training, trust, and transparency are essential for successful AI adoption.
Cybersecurity Reinvented: How AI-driven monitoring and “agentic automation” detect, prevent, and respond to attacks in real time.
Data Integrity and Ethics: Why clean, secure data is the foundation for every AI initiative.
The Maturity Model Framework: Understanding CoSN’s seven domains of AI readiness and where most districts fall on the journey.
Vendor Accountability: How to evaluate AI tools for privacy, transparency, and long-term trust.
Future Readiness: Preparing students for a 2037 graduation world driven by AI, automation, and emerging quantum technologies.
Resources Mentioned
AI, Automation, and the Future of K–12 Networks CoSN Webinar
CoSN.org/AI – Explore CoSN’s survey report, infographics, and webinar replay.
CoSN / Council of the Great City Schools AI Maturity Model – Assess your district’s readiness across seven domains.
Trusted Learning Environment (TLE) Seal – Strengthen data privacy and protection in K–12.
CoSN’s CIRCUITS Committee – Advancing resilient cloud infrastructure and operational innovation in education.
Produced in partnership with edCircuit.
This episode was generated in part using AI tools. All content was reviewed and approved by CoSN and the edCircuit editorial team before publication.
In this episode, we unpack CoSN’s CIRCUITS — Critical Infrastructure and Resilient Clouds for Unified Innovation and Technology in Schools — Committee's resource, Building Your Learning Continuity Plan or Business Continuity Plan. The discussion explores how districts can create resilience frameworks that keep learning and essential operations running—even when systems go down.
You’ll hear how to design, activate, and test a continuity plan that prioritizes safety, communication, and recovery, while preparing your district for both on-prem and cloud disruptions.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
Learning vs. Business Continuity Plans: How each supports instruction and district operations.
Defining scope and priorities: Setting clear activation criteria and identifying mission-critical systems.
Safety first: Why life and health take precedence before recovery efforts begin.
Communication matters: How to structure leadership coordination and public messaging.
Backup and recovery best practices: Testing, storage locations, and cloud provider contract reviews.
Recovery site options: Hot sites, cold sites, and cloud recovery—what they mean and when to use them.
Testing and validation: Why tabletop exercises and full restoration drills are essential for readiness.
Essential documentation: Appendices every plan should include—contacts, maps, sample forms, and recovery plans.
Resources Mentioned
CoSN CIRCUITS Committee – advancing resilient infrastructure and innovation in K-12.
Produced in partnership with edCircuit.
This episode was generated in part using AI tools. All content was reviewed and approved by our editorial team before publication.
As K–12 school districts grow increasingly dependent on always-on, secure, and high-performing networks, IT leaders face mounting challenges in managing complexity, ensuring security, and supporting digital learning at scale. With a surge in connected devices, cloud-based applications, and IoT infrastructure, the traditional approach to network operations is being tested.
To better understand how districts are addressing these challenges—and where AI and automation fit into the evolving network strategy—CoSN and HPE conducted a survey of district technology leaders across the country.
Join this exclusive webinar as we unveil key findings from the survey, including:
Moderator:
Keith Krueger
CoSN CEO
Speakers:
Dr. Richard Charles
CIO Denver Public Schools
Erik Heinrich
K-12 Field CTO HPE
Pete Just, CETL
Executive Director of Indiana CTO Council & CoSN AI Subject Matter Expert
This session will provide a data-informed look at how school districts are reimagining their network environments and what steps leaders can take to build more intelligent, resilient, and future-ready infrastructure.
Who Should Attend: CTOs, CIOs, network administrators, technology leaders, and anyone involved in school district infrastructure planning.
CoSN 2025 Member Survey Results can be found here.
Webinar Recording:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6ZluPLZzCQ&t=3s
Presented by: CoSN, sponsored by HPE
For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit:
https://www.cosn.org/
Produced in partnership with edCircuit.
In this episode, we break down CoSN’s webinar, Navigating Updates on COPPA and Beyond: What K–12 Technology Leaders Need to Know. The discussion unpacks how the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) latest changes to the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) affect districts, vendors, and the broader edtech ecosystem.
You’ll hear how these updates reshape definitions of personal information, raise the bar for vendor security practices, and clarify the role districts play in managing parental consent for educational tools.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
COPPA basics: Why compliance applies to companies, not schools—but why districts still play a critical role.
New definitions of personal information: Expansion to include biometrics, government-issued IDs, and mobile phone numbers.
Updated parental consent rules: Including text-based verification and clearer processes for education vs. commercial data use.
Stronger security standards: Written security plans, annual risk assessments, and third-party compliance requirements.
Data retention requirements: Companies must publish and follow clear deletion policies once data is no longer needed.
District responsibilities: Why consent should come from the district level—not individual teachers—and how this impacts edtech adoption.
What’s next: Compliance timelines, what the FTC left out of the rule updates, and how districts can proactively prepare.
Webinar Recording Free for CoSN Members
CoSN Student Data Privacy Toolkit – resources to help districts strengthen privacy practices.
COPPA Rule Updates – FTC – review the Federal Trade Commission’s official rule changes.
Produced in partnership with edCircuit.
This episode was generated in part using AI tools. All content was reviewed and approved by our editorial team before publication.
In this episode, we take a practical deep dive into the Trusted Learning Environment (TLE) Practices Self-Evaluation—the first big step districts can take on the journey to earning the CoSN TLE Seal.
You’ll learn how the Self-Evaluation helps schools measure their privacy practices across five key areas: Leadership, Business, Data Security, Professional Development, and Classroom. More importantly, you’ll hear how districts can use the results to highlight strengths, identify gaps, and chart a clear path forward.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
How the scoring works: From “not yet considered” to “mature policy in place,” and what each rating means.
The five practice areas in detail:
Leadership – policies, accountability, and culture.
Business – vendor vetting and privacy in contracts.
Data Security – technical safeguards, audits, and recovery plans.
Professional Development – training staff and raising parent awareness.
Classroom – how teachers model safe practices and digital citizenship.
The real value: Why the Self-Evaluation is less about pass/fail and more about building a roadmap.
What happens next: How to turn results into an improvement plan and begin working toward the Full Seal or a Mini Seal.
Good news: The Self-Evaluation is free and immediately available to all districts.
Resources & Links
CoSN Trusted Learning Environment page – download the Self-Evaluation and learn more about the Seal program.
Episode 1: What is the Trusted Learning Environment Seal? Listen to the first part of this series if you missed it.
Produced in partnership with edCircuit.
This episode was generated in part using AI tools. All content was reviewed and approved by our editorial team before publication.
The FTC recently finalized its changes to the COPPA, and while they didn’t move forward with a number of proposed updates specific to education, there are still requirements for ed tech companies that you should know about. Join data privacy consultant Linnette Attai, director of CoSN’s Student Data Privacy and Trusted Learning initiatives and policy expert Reg Leichty, founder of Foresight Law + Policy PLLC who lead’s CoSN’s policy and advocacy for a look at what’s changed in COPPA, what hasn’t (and why). They’ll help you understand what you can expect from ed tech companies in the future (and what you should have been seeing all along) plus updates on what might be percolating in Washington, DC around potential (and long-awaited) updates to FERPA.
If you’re responsible for your district’s student data privacy program or just want to get ahead of the curve on updates to federal privacy laws in education, this webinar is for you.
Presenters:
Linnette Attai, Director
CoSN’s Student Data Privacy
and Trusted Learning Initiatives
Reg Leichty, Founder
Foresight Law + Policy PLLC
This webinar took place on February 12, 2025
Webinar Recording Free for CoSN Members
For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit:
https://www.cosn.org/
Produced in partnership with edCircuit.
In this episode, we kick off a two-part series on student data privacy with a deep dive into the CoSN Trusted Learning Environment (TLE) Seal.
The TLE Seal is more than just a badge—it’s a commitment that a school system is protecting student data across five critical practice areas: Leadership, Business, Data Security, Professional Development, and Classroom.
You will learn:
Why the Seal matters for building trust with families and communities.
How it goes beyond compliance to create a culture of transparency and accountability.
What “mature practices” look like in real schools.
Why the Mini Seal can be a flexible entry point for districts starting their privacy journey.
With Seal recipients already improving protections for over 1.3 million students, the program is setting the standard for how schools earn the confidence of parents, educators, and students.
Key Takeaways:
The TLE Seal is both a safeguard and a symbol of trust.
It’s a district-wide effort, not just an IT checklist.
Schools commit to continuous improvement—not just a one-time certification.
The Mini Seal option allows districts to start small and build momentum.
Want to learn more? Visit CoSN.org to explore the TLE Seal program, success stories, and resources to begin your district’s journey.
Resources:
Trusted Learning Environment Seal Application
Additional Key Resources:
Be sure to tune into Episode 2, where we’ll unpack the TLE Practices Self-Evaluation—the first step in earning the Seal.
Produced in partnership with edCircuit.
This episode was generated in part using AI tools. All content was reviewed and approved by our editorial team before publication.
Join us on a journey to understand the pivotal role this dynamic duo plays in fostering a culture of innovation, empowering educators and IT professionals through skill development, and preparing students for a future that seamlessly blends curriculum and technology.
Key Take Aways:
Target Audience: Superintendents & Senior Cabinet leaders (CBO/CFO/CAO/CTO/CIO); Experienced Ed Tech Leaders/CTO/CIO; Instructional/Educational Technology Leaders
Speakers:
Alison Schlotfeldt, CETL (she/her/hers)
Curriculum Integration Coordinator
School City of Mishawaka
Mishawaka, Indiana
Matt Modlin, CETL
Director of Technology
School City of Mishawaka
Mishawaka, Indiana
The Sessions Everyone Was Talking About Webinar Series
Missed CoSN2025 in Seattle or couldn’t attend every session? Don’t worry—we’re bringing the most popular, standing-room-only presentations to you in a special webinar series. Learn from top EdTech leaders from across the country—no travel needed!
YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEdE0xeXebc
For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit:
Produced in partnership with edCircuit.
The products and services mentioned in this webinar are provided for informational purposes only. Their inclusion does not imply endorsement or sponsorship by CoSN or edCircuit.
In this episode, we explore highlights from CoSN’s recent webinar, Remember the Human: Deploying AI in Your District. Four education leaders: Mike Lawrence (ABC Unified), Jerry Almendarez (Santa Ana Unified/Creative Futures), Christopher Hoang (LACOE), and Chad Laines (ABC Unified), share how they’re implementing AI in real K–12 contexts.
From district-wide pilots to county-level training, each speaker emphasizes one guiding principle: AI must enhance, not replace, human intelligence.
We cover how districts can start with small, safe experiments, publish guidelines over rigid policies, and focus on transparency with families and students.
The conversation also touches on budget strategies, governance models, academic integrity, and real-world classroom use cases.
Whether you’re just beginning with AI or refining your district’s approach, this episode provides practical, battle-tested insights for leaders, teachers, and technologists.
Key Takeaways:
Lead with HI + AI: keep human intelligence at the center.
Start small with safe pilots—volunteers, not mandates.
Use guidelines (not rigid policy) to stay agile.
Put IT leaders at the cabinet table for smarter adoption.
Engage students and families through roundtables and communication toolkits.
Reframe academic integrity around culture and trust.
Leverage existing platforms before buying new tools.
Listen in for practical tips, real-world examples, and insights you can bring back to your school or district.
Watch the full webinar here: CoSN YouTube
For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit:
https://www.cosn.org/
Produced in partnership with edCircuit.
This episode was generated in part using AI tools. All content was reviewed and approved by our editorial team before publication.
Generative AI. Digital equity. Staffing shortages. These aren’t abstract trends; they’re the real forces shaping schools in 2025.
In this episode, Driving K–12 Innovation 2025: Ethics, Workforce, and What’s Next, we break down CoSN’s 2025 findings and what they mean for educators today. Based on the Driving K–12 Innovation 2025 Summit webinar, this conversation distills the big themes into practical insights.
We explore why ethical innovation requires more than adopting the newest tool, how schools can build capacity to retire outdated tech, and why preparing students for the future of work means redefining success beyond test scores.
Key Takeaways:
Innovation isn’t good or bad until it’s anchored to purpose
Ethical capacity must be built among teachers and students
Schools need to know when to retire tools that no longer serve learning
Adaptability, creativity, and new pathways are critical to the future workforce
Resources:
Driving K–12 Innovation 2025 Summit (companion webinar recording)
Listen in for practical tips, real-world examples, and insights you can bring back to your school or district.
Watch the full webinar here: CoSN YouTube
For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit:
Produced in partnership with edCircuit.
This episode was generated in part using AI tools. All content was reviewed and approved by our editorial team before publication.
As districts across the globe grapple with the tectonic shifts caused by generative AI, there is a tendency to rush to the tool as an answer to nearly all challenges of content creation, evaluation and synthesis. This approach, while exciting, diminishes the human intelligence that is essential to effective, ethical and equitable deployment of this technology. This session provides guidance for a responsible process by which your educational community can engage in the thoughtful and impactful use of artificial intelligence for all students, ethically. Remembering the human element, practice empathy and asking the right questions are the path forward.
Key Take Aways:
Moderator:
Mike Lawrence, CAE
Director, Information & Technology
ABC Unified School District
Cerritos, California
Presenters:
Gerardo Martinez, MA
Executive Director, Educational Technology
Westminster School District
Westminster, California
Christopher Hoang, EdD
Assistant Director, Technology Innovation and Outreach
Los Angeles County Office of Education
Downey, California
Jerry Almendarez
Former Superintendent
Santa Ana Unified School District
Santa Ana, CA
Chad Laines
Instructional Technology Specialist
ABC Unified School District
Cerritos, California
The Sessions Everyone Was Talking About Webinar Series
Missed CoSN2025 in Seattle or couldn’t attend every session? Don’t worry—we’re bringing the most popular, standing-room-only presentations to you in a special webinar series. Learn from top EdTech leaders from across the country—no travel needed!
YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnsbKXw_2jQ
For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit:
Produced in partnership with edCircuit.
The products and services mentioned in this webinar are provided for informational purposes only. Their inclusion does not imply endorsement or sponsorship by CoSN or edCircuit.
Cellphones are everywhere in schools — in backpacks, pockets, and sometimes under desks. But should they be banned, restricted, or embraced as learning tools? In this episode, inspired by CoSN’s To Ban or Not to Ban? Tackling Cellphones in Classrooms webinar, Common Sense Media’s Merve Lapus reframes the debate.
We explore why banning phones alone doesn’t teach digital discipline, how schools can combine policy with digital citizenship education, and the role of community alignment in making rules stick. Hear real-world examples like phone-free zones, lockable pouches, and student-led policy design — all aimed at building intentional, balanced tech use.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
Why rules alone don’t create lasting digital habits
Strategies for pairing cellphone policies with digital well-being lessons
How to engage students, staff, and parents in shaping expectations
Practical activities to help students self-regulate device use
Whether you’re a teacher, principal, or district leader, this episode offers actionable ways to move beyond bans and prepare students to thrive in a tech-driven world.
Listen in for practical tips, real-world examples, and insights you can bring back to your school or district.
Watch the full webinar here: CoSN YouTube
For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit:
Produced in partnership with edCircuit.
This episode was generated in part using AI tools. All content was reviewed and approved by our editorial team before publication.