K12 Tech Talk

Part 1 of 2
In this exciting episode of K12 Tech Talk, Chris, Josh, and Mark deliver a front-row experience of the CoSN Conference in Miami. Interviews include:
Susan Enfield - CoSN Keynote
Richard Culatta - CEO ISTE/ASCD
Don Ringelestein - CoSN Board, DEI subcommittee
Megan Gretzinger - Friend of K12TechPro and K12 Tech Talk
Will Brackett - "After Action Reports" session
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https://www.youtube.com/@k12techtalk
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* NTP
* Howard - Email Seth Shockley - sshockley@howard.com
* Extreme - Email dmayer@extremenetworks.com
* Fortinet - Excited to announce our next SLED National webinar Connecting the Nation: FCC’s Vision for Broadband, Cybersecurity and Digital Inclusion - a Fireside Chat with Commissioner Rachelle Chong and Jim Richberg, hosted by Mike Lauer! DATE: April 18th @ 10amPT/ 1pm ET Key topics: - Digital Equity for all Americans. - Funding Internet connectivity for K-12 schools and libraries, with a focus on cybersecurity.- Proposed Cyber Trust Mark program for enhanced digital security.
Registration Link
* ClassLink
* A4L Summit
Oh, and...
Email us at k12techtalk@gmail.com
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Josh, Chris, and Mark discuss several listener emails and K12TechPro posts. They talk about POTS lines with elevators, fire alarms, and fax machines. They talk about password managers. They talk about how to obtain technical knowledge and skills when you have a position that isn't necessarily specializing in a certain area. They talk about LMS options and the tech dept's support role. And then there's some sideways talk about elevator inspections and dead rodents. Oh, and an interview with VIZOR customer Chris.

This is a special episode. Josh and Chris interview Mohit Gupta, Director of Product at Clever. We discuss student MFA, the teacher Clever Library, student data privacy, the history of Clever, and more.

Josh, Chris, and Mark discuss the recent cyberattack where hackers compromised two critical systems of CISA using vulnerabilities in Ivanti products. Josh derails the conversation after receiving some "hate" mail recently, though. They also touch on the future of VR in education, reflecting on past experiences with Google Expeditions and the shift towards AI in K12. The episode features an interview with Absolute.
Reddit article about future of VR in education

In this episode, the guys discuss a security bulletin from Papercut, the launch of the digital SAT, and the release of an artificial intelligence framework for district leaders by ILO Group. They also address listener emails, including a question about parental access to web filters. The main topic focuses on tips for preparing for online testing season and large-scale assessments, prompted by a listener's story about a failed testing attempt in a cafeteria.
News Stories:1. Papercut Security Bulletin March 20242. Digital SAT Launches3. ILO Group Releases AI Framework for District Leaders4. COSN & CGCS AI Readiness Checklist
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* NTP
* VIZOR - To find out how you can simplify your student device management go to vizor.cloud/k12techtalk, K12 Tech Talk listeners get special pricing and a FREE K-12 Tech Talk hoodie
* Absolute - email k12tech@Absolute.com to find out how you can use your hardware refresh budget to secure new devices AND manage and secure existing inventory.
* ClassLink - email Jill at jvandagriff@classlink.com
* Fortinet - email fortinetpodcast.com@fortinet.com
Oh, and...
Email us at k12techtalk@gmail.com
Tweet us err X us @k12techtalkpod
Visit our LinkedIn page HERE

Josh and Mark discuss the decline in edtech investments after the pandemic and the impact it may have on the industry. They also touch on the renewal costs for VMware customers and the opportunity it presents for competitor Nutanix. The episode explores the importance of team growth in a school district, highlighting the benefits of knowledge sharing, proactive vs. reactive work, and shared responsibilities. Additionally, listeners inquire about erate efforts in smaller districts and the strategy of swapping out vendors regularly.
Articles discussed on this episode:
Ed tech investments slow after sizable pandemic bump
Nutanix CEO sees opportunity in VMware’s turmoil
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Join the K12TechPro.com Community.
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 ManagedMethods - go to managedmethods.com, click on Use Cases, to understand how they can help your school district. Mention us when you talk to them.
* Absolute - email k12tech@Absolute.com to find out how you can use your hardware refresh budget to secure new devices AND manage and secure existing inventory.
* PDS/HPE/Aruba - email jeff.cobb@hpe.com
* Extreme - email dmayer@extremenetworks.com
* Fortinet - email fortinetpodcast.com@fortinet.com
Oh, and...
Email us at k12techtalk@gmail.com
Tweet us err X us @k12techtalkpod
Visit our LinkedIn page HERE

Hosts Josh, Chris, and Mark discuss a range of tech news stories, including articles on AT&T cell phone service outages, teachers avoiding AI tools, and the use of panic buttons for school safety. They also address a listener email about handling personal documents in district collaboration tools. The main topic focuses on holding a tabletop cybersecurity exercise with district leadership, with Chris sharing his experience leading a drill. Important lessons highlighted include making the exercise relevant, avoiding scare tactics, and emphasizing collaboration.
AT&T cell phone service outage
Top 13 reasons teachers avoid AI tools
Does your district ban ChatGPT?
Panic buttons for school safety
CISA Tabletop Exercises (look at the K12 one)
https://www.youtube.com/@k12techtalk
Join the K12TechPro.com Community.
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Absolute
Classlink
HPE/Aruba - Email jeff.cobb@hpe.com
Fortinet - Email fortinetpodcast@fortinet.com
Oh, and...
Email us at k12techtalk@gmail.com
Tweet us err X us @k12techtalkpod
Visit our LinkedIn page HERE

Josh takes a few minutes to remind everyone to patch your systems, firewalls, servers, Veeam, VPNs, etc. He also talks about the importance of looking at your logs, especially those public facing devices. Finally, he brags that he submitted four 471s to E-Rate and all four of them went to "Wave Ready" status in less than six hours after upload.
The majority of this episode is spent talking with Eric the Intern from K12TechPro. He left the K12 world recently and went to private industry. A few weeks ago, he wrote an article for K12TechPro with his observations about K12 technology now that he is on the outside looking in.
Article - https://k12techpro.com/the-k-12-tech-landscape-an-outsiders-inside-perspective/
https://www.youtube.com/@k12techtalk
Join the K12TechPro.com Community.
Buy our merch!!!
Absolute
Managed Methods
HPE/Aruba - Email jeff.cobb@hpe.com
NTP
Oh, and...
Email us at k12techtalk@gmail.com
Tweet us err X us @k12techtalkpod
Visit our LinkedIn page HERE