https://edtechmagazine.com/k12/ en https://edtechmagazine.com/k12/media/video/istelive-26-cybersecurity-everybodys-job-how-k-12-districts-are-building-culture-shared One of the greatest group project collaborations in K–12 right now has nothing to do with social studies or science projects.  The IT leaders who understand the risk tend to speak in technical language, while the administrators and educators who control the budget speak in outcomes. Finding a shared vocabulary helps them fight — and ultimately fund a defense to — the K–12 cybersecurity crisis.  The school year ended with a historic cybersecurity attack across K–12 and higher education, punctuating a point that teachers, IT leaders and school districts have been very aware of, with… Thu, 09 Jul 2026 12:13:42 -0400 https://edtechmagazine.com/k12/media/video/istelive-26-cybersecurity-everybodys-job-how-k-12-districts-are-building-culture-shared https://edtechmagazine.com/k12/media/video/istelive-26-stem-loaner-library-checks-out Andy Mann’s model is deceptively simple. Informed by years of experience as a technology teacher, he developed a vision to get $10,000 virtual reality headsets and other sought-after devices in the hands of teachers who wanted to try them in their classrooms without the steep investment of buying them. Using strategic funding, Mann meticulously amassed a collection of STEM items that teachers from the Muskegon Area Intermediate School District in Michigan can check out. At his ISTELive 26 session, “Borrow Don’t Buy: Creating a STEM Loaner Library,” Mann shared how he built his STEM loaner… Thu, 09 Jul 2026 12:14:45 -0400 https://edtechmagazine.com/k12/media/video/istelive-26-stem-loaner-library-checks-out https://edtechmagazine.com/k12/media/video/istelive-26-accessible-design-how-k-12-districts-are-building-ai-and-udl-every Accessibility has always been a legal obligation. But leaders in the K–12 space are expanding that conversation to include how it could be more than that: a design principle that creates an improved learning experience for every student, not just the ones with IEPs. At ISTELive 26, Tara Nattrass, chief innovation strategist for education at Lenovo, broke down what hybrid AI means at the device level and why it matters for students who rely on accessibility tools. Nattrass helped lead seven sessions at the conference, including “Strengthening Accessibility and Inclusivity with Hybrid AI.” The… Wed, 08 Jul 2026 16:34:17 -0400 https://edtechmagazine.com/k12/media/video/istelive-26-accessible-design-how-k-12-districts-are-building-ai-and-udl-every https://edtechmagazine.com/k12/media/video/iste-live-26-doing-more-less-kirsten-baesler-sustainable-k-12-technology In the post-ESSER era, many schools and school districts are learning how to iterate their resource allocation to do more with less and build durable plans that center planning around the mission instead of the money. During her session “Driving Innovation When Budgets Are Tight” at ISTELive 26, Kirsten Baesler, assistant secretary in the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education for the U.S. Department of Education, discussed the importance of having a clear framework for what sustainability looks like alongside panelists Chris Lehmann, CEO and principal of the Science Leadership Academy… Tue, 07 Jul 2026 17:17:27 -0400 https://edtechmagazine.com/k12/media/video/iste-live-26-doing-more-less-kirsten-baesler-sustainable-k-12-technology https://edtechmagazine.com/k12/media/video/iste-live-26-youngest-tech-team-youll-ever-meet Lynsy Curry gave some students in her class a mission — if they chose to accept it. The elementary media specialist at Timbers Elementary School taught the fifth graders technology tips a couple of years ago when she was their teacher. When they began showing other teachers what they learned in her class, she asked them if they would be interested in forming a technology team and being her student helpers. Challenge accepted. The tech team was born in the Humble Independent School District in Humble, Texas, nearly three years ago. During her session “From Helpers to Leaders: Building a… Tue, 07 Jul 2026 17:17:48 -0400 https://edtechmagazine.com/k12/media/video/iste-live-26-youngest-tech-team-youll-ever-meet https://edtechmagazine.com/k12/article/2026/07/istelive-26-what-does-ai-ready-graduate-look As artificial intelligence’s capabilities continue to make themselves evident in the classroom, the technology is quickly moving from a novelty to a necessity. To that end, at the ISTELive 2026 conference in Orlando, Fla., the organization unveiled its expanded Profile of an AI-Ready Graduate. Joseph South, chief innovation officer for ISTE+ASCD, said that in identifying trends and themes involving AI in teaching and learning, his team noticed a gap. While early frameworks focused on AI literacy, teaching students the fundamentals of AI and how to interact with it, guidance didn’t go much… Mon, 06 Jul 2026 15:35:56 -0400 Amy McIntosh https://edtechmagazine.com/k12/article/2026/07/istelive-26-what-does-ai-ready-graduate-look https://edtechmagazine.com/k12/article/2026/07/istelive26-how-k-12-districts-can-build-safer-smarter-digital-ecosystem K–12 school districts are packed with digital tools, and it’s up to IT leaders to manage the governance, data and risk associated with them. But no single department can do this alone and without all of the facts they need to make an informed decision.  At ISTELive 2026 in Orlando, Fla., technology experts explained how cybersecurity, data privacy, accessibility and governance work together and why building a safe, intentional, student-centered digital environment depends on breaking down the silos between IT and the rest of the district. Cybersecurity Maturity Assessments Can Help Guide… Thu, 02 Jul 2026 17:28:04 -0400 Amy McIntosh https://edtechmagazine.com/k12/article/2026/07/istelive26-how-k-12-districts-can-build-safer-smarter-digital-ecosystem https://edtechmagazine.com/k12/article/2026/07/istelive-26-effective-learning-requires-balance-ed-tech-tools-and-core-skills As the debate about screen time and digital tools in the classroom continues in school districts around the country, speakers at ISTELive 26 in Orlando, Fla., presented research noting that a balance between digital tools and foundational learning is the best path to effective learning.  “This is not pro-tech versus anti-tech,” said Amanda Bollinger, associate administrator in the teaching and learning department at Jordan School District and a member of the Utah State Board of Education. “It’s just current reality. How do we balance those two things?”  Cari Warnock, education… Thu, 02 Jul 2026 13:54:27 -0400 Amy McIntosh https://edtechmagazine.com/k12/article/2026/07/istelive-26-effective-learning-requires-balance-ed-tech-tools-and-core-skills https://edtechmagazine.com/k12/article/2026/07/istelive-26-experts-urge-school-leaders-advocate-e-rate The E-Rate program, a federal initiative that has been providing broadband discounts to K–12 districts since 1998, is currently under review, and experts are asking individuals to advocate for the program during a public comment period. That was the messaging at ISTELive 26 in Orlando, Fla., where Dave LeNard, E-Rate manager for CDW, and Amy Passow, senior manager of education funding solutions for CDW, spoke to school and district leaders about the importance of saving this program. What Is E-Rate? The E-Rate program is designed to provide connectivity to schools and libraries. It… Wed, 01 Jul 2026 13:52:14 -0400 Amy McIntosh https://edtechmagazine.com/k12/article/2026/07/istelive-26-experts-urge-school-leaders-advocate-e-rate https://edtechmagazine.com/k12/article/2026/06/how-k-12-districts-can-prepare-today-googlebooks More than 9 in 10 U.S. school districts say they have planned to purchase Chromebooks for their students or staff this year. So, when rumors began to buzz about the Googlebook, which brings together elements of ChromeOS and Android, many district leaders understandably had a lot of questions. Will my school’s devices eventually become obsolete? What can I do to future proof my device program? We have good news for K–12 districts that are concerned about this change: The real story is that schools have ample time and multiple options to prepare for the upcoming upgrades. By beginning to plan… Mon, 29 Jun 2026 13:48:51 -0400 Mike Peters, Chris Hanson https://edtechmagazine.com/k12/article/2026/06/how-k-12-districts-can-prepare-today-googlebooks