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Virginia Society for Technology in Education

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Edtech

The Leading Ed Forum 2025

January 27, 2025 by Rod Carnill

Leading Ed Forum Event Banner

Event Overview

The VSTE Leading Ed Forum is a long-standing event tailored for district and school-level leaders who are at the forefront of technology integration and educational transformation. This Forum is a high-level, strategic gathering where superintendents, principals, instructional technology directors, and other education leaders collaborate on critical issues, discuss strategic technology implementation, and explore solutions to enhance student learning and organizational effectiveness.

Date & Location  

Date: March 13, 2025

Location: Reynolds Community College, 1651 E Parham Rd, Richmond, VA 23228, USA

Target Audience

This Forum is designed for district and school leaders who drive technology and innovation initiatives in K-12 education. Attendees typically include:

- Superintendents and Assistant Superintendents – Seeking guidance on technology-driven transformation aligned with district goals.

- District-Level Instructional Technology Directors – Focused on system-wide technology integration, compliance, and digital equity.

- Principals and School-Level Administrators – Interested in scalable solutions to improve teaching, learning, and operational efficiency at the school level.

- Chief Academic Officers and Curriculum Directors – Looking for tools and strategies that support digital learning and curriculum alignment with technology.

Forum Goals

  1. Strategic Visioning – Empower leaders with insights to develop and implement visionary digital strategies for sustainable impact.
  2. Policy & Compliance Alignment – Provide guidance on data privacy, cybersecurity, and compliance to help leaders meet evolving legal and ethical standards.
  3. Investment & ROI Analysis – Explore frameworks for evaluating technology investments based on educational outcomes and operational efficiencies.
  4. Equity & Access – Address strategies for equitable access to technology and reducing disparities in digital learning opportunities.
  5. Community & Stakeholder Engagement – Offer best practices for engaging teachers, students, parents, and the community in technology initiatives.

 

Event Features

- Keynote Presentation: Hear from national leaders in education policy, technology, and innovation on strategic priorities for K-12 leadership.

- Leadership Roundtables: Small-group discussions focused on specific challenges, where attendees share insights, approaches, and best practices.

- Strategic Sessions: Topics include district-wide data governance, digital transformation, emerging funding opportunities, and maximizing technology ROI.

- Case Study Spotlights: Deep dives into successful district and school initiatives demonstrating effective, scalable technology implementation.

- Vendor Solutions Forum: A curated showcase of top-tier vendors offering tools and platforms designed to support the needs of school and district leadership.

- Networking Lunch: Events designed for high-level peer exchange, facilitating partnerships and collaborative opportunities.

 

Featured Topics for Leadership

- Cybersecurity and Data Privacy: Strategies for safeguarding student and staff information, complying with federal and state policies, and training staff.

- Digital Equity Initiatives: Approaches to ensure equitable access to technology across diverse student populations, addressing urban and rural needs.

- Financial Planning & Funding Resources: Insight on maximizing available funding (federal, state, and private) and managing the financial aspects of district-wide technology investments.

- Teacher Retention & Professional Development: Examining how technology can enhance teacher satisfaction, retention, and professional growth.

- Future-Proofing Infrastructure: Building a resilient infrastructure that supports future technological advancements and growing district needs.

Exhibitor Opportunities

The Leading ED Forum offers tailored sponsorship packages to maximize brand visibility among high-level decision-makers. Exhibitors will host a table, participate in networking, and gain exposure throughout the Forum. Current VSTE Diamond and Gold Sponsors are provided a table at the event. Others may contact  LEF_INFO@vste.org to learn more about exhibitor opportunities.

Exhibitor Ticket includes one event registration and a table in the exhibitor area. Exhibitors will also be provided with an attendee list. Exhibitors will be provided two tickets to the event including morning drinks, snacks, and lunch. The cost for the table and attendees is $500 ($510.49 with fees). 

Why Attend?

By attending this Forum, education leaders will:

- Develop a clear, actionable vision for advancing technology within their districts and schools.

- Network with like-minded leaders and share strategies for tackling today’s most pressing challenges in K-12 technology.

- Discover solutions that enhance productivity, reduce costs, and increase student engagement.

- Gain exclusive insights into policy trends, funding sources, and emerging technologies critical to long-term success.

Registration

Reserve your place to gain critical knowledge and insights that will shape the future of K-12 education. 

For more information or to inquire about sponsorship, please visit our website at https://2025leadingedforum.sched.com/ or contact us at LEF_INFO@vste.org

 

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Filed Under: Classroom Snacks, Connected Educator Month, Digital Health, Edtech, Esports, Events, Inclusion, Live Events, SEL, STEM, Virtual Reality

Lights, Camera, Learning: Why Video is the Star of Education

March 29, 2024 by Patrick Hausammann

Written by VSTE Board Member Chrystal Elmore (@elmore_chrystal)


In education, tapping into students' innate abilities is key to fostering meaningful learning experiences. One powerful tool that aligns perfectly with students' natural inclinations is video. Let's explore why integrating video into education is not just beneficial but transformative:

  1. Students are natural storytellers.
    It's no secret that students possess a natural inclination towards storytelling. Video provides them with a medium to unleash their creativity and storytelling process. Whether it's crafting narratives, presenting ideas, or explaining concepts, students can harness the art of storytelling to deepen their understanding of the subject matter.
  2. Most students already spend a lot of time watching and making videos.
    In today's digital age, students are immersed in a world of videos. They spend hours consuming content on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. By incorporating video into education, educators can leverage this existing interest and familiarity to create engaging and relevant learning experiences.
  3. Encourages students to be creators, not just consumers.
    Video empowers students to transition from passive consumers to active creators. Instead of merely absorbing information, students become actively involved in the learning process. They take ownership of their learning journey, exploring topics, conducting research, and producing content that reflects their understanding and perspectives.
  4. Allows students to create personal connections to the content.
    Video offers a platform for students to personalize their learning experience. They can relate course material to their own lives, experiences, and interests, fostering deeper connections with the content. This personalization not only enhances engagement but also facilitates long-term retention and understanding.
  5. Enables Multimodal learning.
    Every student learns differently, and video caters to various learning styles. It combines visual, auditory, and sometimes even tactile elements, making it a powerful tool for multimodal learning. Whether students prefer visual demonstrations, verbal explanations, or hands-on activities, video provides a versatile medium to accommodate diverse learning preferences

Looking for some inspiration on how to incorporate video into your classroom? Here are a few ideas to get you started:

  • Create a personal/subject narrative
  • Record Interviews
  • Stop Motion
  • Make a video tour of significant locations
  • Record Video Self-Assessments
  • Book Reports
  • Step-by-Step Videos
  • Newscasts

Our district uses Canva to create videos in the classroom. Canva for Education is like the Swiss Army knife of design platforms—it's versatile, user-friendly, and packed with features tailored specifically for students and teachers. With Canva, students and teachers have access to templates, stock photos and royalty free music to use in their videos!

Incorporating video into education offers students a dynamic platform for student expression, engagement, and learning. So let's grab our cameras, cue the lights, and embark on an educational adventure where creativity knows no bounds. After all, in the grand production of learning, every student deserves a starring role. Lights, camera, learning—action! 🎬✨

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Filed Under: Blog, Edtech, VSTE News Tagged With: Board of Directors, video

New EdTech Reels Episode – Classroomscreen!

December 19, 2023 by Patrick Hausammann

Check out the New #VSTEEdTechReel episode on Using @ClassroomScreen to Promote Engagement and Focus created by @cehynden82!

Using Classroom Screen to Promote Engagement and Focus

From the Classroomscreen website:

With Classroomscreen you've got all the classroom tools at your fingertips. Whether you need a timer or would like to show your instructions, Classroomscreen has a variety of features that support your class activities, stimulate engagement, and help your students get to work. Widgets include text, timer, poll, group maker, sounds level, and more!

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Filed Under: Blog, Edtech, Education Tagged With: Edtech Reels, Education Committee

New EdTech Reels Episode – TInkerCAD!

October 25, 2023 by Patrick Hausammann

Check out this #EdTechReels episode from #VSTE and learn to use @Tinkercad with your littles!

Tinkercad EdTech Reel

From the Tinkercad website:

Tinkercad is a free web app for 3D design, electronics, and coding, trusted by over 50 million people around the world. We’re the ideal introduction to Autodesk, a global leader in design and make technology. It is free for everyone, safe for all ages, and emphasizes learning by doing.

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Filed Under: Blog, Edtech, Education Tagged With: Edtech Reels, Education Committee

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