Preview the mix of practical and strategic content available at Tech Tactics in Education with these session highlights from past events.
Tech Tactics in Education September 2025: Overcoming Roadblocks to Innovation
Human Connection in the Age of AI: Disruption, Dystopia, or Discovery? fix embed
AI is ushering in a new dawn of personalization — but how will this shape students' access and ability to form social connections? In this keynote, Julia Freeland Fisher describes the ways AI threatens to disrupt human connection and the proactive steps school leaders and edtech providers can take to ensure that all students have the relationships they need to thrive.
Estimated viewing time: 39 minutes
Insufficiently Uncomfortable: AI-Native Students Meet a Glacial Higher Education Industry
This session presents insights from the Digital Education Council (DEC) AI Literacy Framework, the DEC AI Governance Framework, and their world-leading AI Surveys. It explores how universities can embed these capabilities into their systems to ensure adaptability, equity, and responsible AI adoption.
Estimated viewing time: 33 minutes
From Heck Yes to Heck No: Supporting Students Through Thoughtful AI Policy Design
As AI tools become increasingly prevalent, establishing a clear AI policy for your course is essential to support student achievement. This session guides higher education instructors through the process of creating and implementing an AI policy tailored to their course needs, balancing expectations with empathy for students' learning journeys. Learn practical strategies to align course policy with university guidelines while addressing varying levels of AI acceptance — from prohibition to integration.
Estimated viewing time: 31 minutes
Future-Proofing IT: How Districtwide Standards Build Resilience
Tired of tech chaos across a district? Discover how districtwide technology standards can transform teaching, learning, and IT operations. Join Bob Fishtrom, director of information technology services from Mountain View Los Altos High School District, as he shares strategies on how to standardize technology districtwide while meeting the varied needs of educators. Learn how a unified, flexible system not only simplifies support for IT teams, it also boosts confidence, safety, and success for staff and students alike. Walk away with practical insights to future-proof your district's technology while meeting the ever-changing needs of education.
Estimated viewing time: 29 minutes
Children’s Data Privacy: Navigating Legal and Regulatory Landscapes
This session empowers K-12 IT, practitioners and administrative leaders to overcome children's data privacy roadblocks. We provide concrete tactics for navigating COPPA, including its pivotal 2025 FTC updates on expanded PII, targeted advertising bans, and enhanced parental/teen rights. The presentation also covers federal student privacy (FERPA) and state-level statutes, emphasizing vendor contract requirements and security. Gain actionable strategies for implementing privacy-by-design, managing emerging tech risks (AI, EdTech), and auditing compliance, drawing on real-world enforcement to safeguard student data effectively.
Estimated viewing time: 31 minutes
Tech Tactics in Education May 2025: Thriving in the Age of AI
Leadership in the Age of AI
AI is reshaping the world at an unprecedented pace — but what does that mean for leadership? Does AI redefine what it takes to be a great leader, or does it amplify timeless leadership principles? Whether you are leading an entire organization, a team, or just yourself, understanding the evolving role of leadership in an AI-driven world is crucial.
Estimated viewing time: 38 minutes
Overcoming a Malware Attack: A Chief Technology Officer's Perspective
In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, malware attacks are an ever-present threat, capable of crippling educational systems in a matter of moments. This hands-on workshop is designed to equip IT leaders and professionals with the knowledge and strategies needed to navigate the complexities of a malware crisis. As a CTO with real-world experience being a victim, Kacey Sensenich key topics, including identifying malware entry points, effective containment and recovery strategies, and building resilient systems to prevent future attacks. Whether you want to enhance your response playbook or understand the critical decisions made in the C-suite during an attack, this workshop provides invaluable insights and practical tools to safeguard your organization.
Estimated viewing time: 33 minutes
Bridging Education and AI: Empowering Change Through Data-Driven Insights and Resilient Strategies
Explore how the transformative power of artificial intelligence intersects with education to enhance student success, improve institutional resilience, and foster innovative change management practices. This session offers a roadmap for technology leaders and educators to harness AI responsibly, leveraging predictive analytics and data-informed strategies to create agile, inclusive, and future-ready institutions. Learn how the RNA (Rebrand, Network, Achieve Recognition) framework empowers leaders to reimagine their institutions’ mission while ensuring ethical practices and equity in the digital age.
Estimated viewing time: 38 minutes
Beyond the AI Hype: Research, Risk Assessment, and Real-World Implementation in K-12 Education
As AI reshapes education, we need both empirical understanding and practical frameworks to guide its implementation. This presentation weaves Common Sense Media's ongoing research about teen and parent AI usage, comprehensive framework for assessing AI risks in educational settings, and evidence-based recommendations for K-12. These insights offer actionable guidance for educators, developers, and policymakers working to responsibly integrate AI into K-12 education.
Estimated viewing time: 37 minutes
Tech Tactics in Education 2024: Building the Future-Ready Institution
Humanizing Technology: The Path to Future-Ready Education
In an era of rapid digital transformation, bridging the gap between technology and human interaction becomes paramount. "Humanizing Technology: The Path to Future-Ready Education," led by Eric J. Rodriguez, former Education Regional Director at Intel and visionary leader, explores innovative strategies to integrate technology in education while maintaining a human-centric focus. Drawing from his vast experience in tech and education sectors, Eric provides actionable insights on leveraging digital tools to enhance learning experiences, ensuring technology serves as an enabler rather than a barrier. Learn to navigate the evolving educational landscape with a balance of tech efficiency and empathy, preparing institutions for a more inclusive and effective future.
Estimated viewing time: 48 minutes
Trust Your Ecosystem: Confidence in Security, Privacy, Accessibility, and AI
Finding the right educational technology tools for your classrooms, schools, and districts can be overwhelming as new options arise and the technology continues to evolve. Fortunately, there are tools to help sort through the options and find technology that protects student privacy, even taking AI into consideration, takes the necessary precautions to keep information secure, and considers the accessibility needs of all students. In this session, panelists Karen Daughtery, Director of K-12 Member Activities at 1EdTech, Michelle Watt, Chief Systems Officer for Scottsdale Unified School District, and Kelly Herman, Vice President, Accessibility, Equity and Inclusion at the University of Phoenix, consider the questions districts must consider when selecting ed tech and ways to lift the load from teachers and IT professionals making those critical decisions.
Estimated viewing time: 35 minutes
Off Task: Ed Tech Trends, Effects on Student Privacy and Well Being in the Age of AI
Educational data and technology (ed tech) are becoming entrenched in K-12 schools, and are poised to be used in even more ways with the advent of generative AI. This presentation by Madeliene Dwyer, Policy Analyst for the Center for Democracy and Technology, highlights the organization's original, nationally representative survey research of teachers, parents, and students, which reveals use trends of student activity monitoring tools, content filtering/blocking software, and generative AI, in addition to the tangible effects these largely AI driven technologies have on students' privacy and wellbeing. Dwyer offers recommendations for school officials and technology leaders to take into consideration when procuring and implementing ed tech tools to ensure they are best serving their students.
Estimated viewing time: 35 minutes
Measuring and Maturing Your Cyber Risk Posture
In this session, Ron Howell, VP of IT at Columbia International University, explores current and increasing cyber threats to higher education and delves into tactics that professionals can employ to better prepare for these threats, minimizing their impact on academic functions and students. The presentation highlights methods to measure and enhance your cyber risk posture, offering methods and strategies to equip participants in maturing their respective cybersecurity programs.
Estimated viewing time: 46 minutes
Thriving Through Turbulence: Data-Driven Leadership for Challenging Times in Education
In these unprecedented times for education, strong leadership is crucial to overcoming obstacles like budget constraints and teacher shortages. Join dynamic superintendent Tony Spence from Wisconsin as he shares his insights on proactive leadership for navigating challenges. Discover how data can be leveraged to understand and improve your district's culture during tough times. Hear firsthand how Spence is turning data into actionable steps to foster growth in his district.
Estimated viewing time: 45 minutes