The Consortium for School Networking's new platform, dedicated to enriching K-12 education, uses technology resources to deepen understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion. By helping districts recognize and celebrate the differences that create a richer learning environment, this invaluable tool encourages the recruitment and retention of historically underrepresented groups. He CoSN DEI Resource Clearinghouse presents technological tools based on best practices. It is critical that school leaders foster a true sense of belonging to encourage and inspire all students to consider the IT field as a future home for their talents.
As we know, representation is powerful. Students and educators in the STEM and IT fields face diverse journeys throughout their educational journey. Highlighting your success stories can inspire the next generation of future scientists and technology experts. CoSN's mission is to establish an IT pipeline by providing engaging content tailored to diverse learning styles, providing school leaders with an authentic and efficient resource to promote diversity among students and educators.
Using Clearinghouse is easy, with categories divided for quick access based on specific needs. He Recruitment and Retention The section offers retention strategies, recruiting techniques, and resources to foster a sense of belonging among employees with a link to a collection of workshops intended to build an IT channel. He Educational resources The section not only offers curriculum resources for diversity and inclusion, but also a library of resources and links to examine your own biases. He Diversity and inclusion The section covers topics such as invisible disabilities, LGBTQ+ resources, systemic racism, accessibility, marginalized groups, and global inclusion issues that support creating an inclusive workplace.
This well-designed portal prepares school leaders to be better informed and equipped to create a learning environment where everyone feels welcome and able to thrive. Do you want to take the next step toward achieving a true sense of inclusion and belonging in your district? Consider attending a CoSN2024 DEI Workshop: In person April 8-10 at InterContinental Miami or via virtual attendance via “The CoSN experience”—free for all in-person participants and available for a fee for those who cannot travel to Miami.
Leading innovation: at high speed
Learn how to drive innovation by enabling inclusive technology leadership in your district through the offerings of CoSN2024. The new landscape of K-12 technology has reached light years in recent years. Modernize more than your digital ecosystems by exploring how to develop strong, innovative leaders from all backgrounds in an era of tight budgets and limited resources. Various workshops, breakout sessions, keynote speakers, and networking opportunities at summits and receptions provide numerous avenues to address the urgent and essential goal of fostering a more diverse and inclusive educational environment for both students and educators.
Several Workshops talk directly to DEI in K-12 education. Leverage the technology integration matrix to promote inclusive technology integration questions whether the transformative rise of ai and emerging technologies has truly led to meaningful change in the classroom. The session offers a journey through the technology Integration Matrix (TIM) framework to evaluate the role of technology in supporting critical thinking and student agency. This workshop will encourage participants to explore the fundamentals of technology use and examine the connection to the broader challenge of achieving true digital equity.
A second workshop, Inclusive Educational technology Leadership Summit, will provide an empowering gathering for underrepresented edtech leaders and their mentors. This workshop, facilitated by Ken Shelton, MA, will open doors to training, career advancement knowledge, and practical strategies that attendees can immediately apply in their districts. This popular session will include networking opportunities with influential edtech leaders.
Work sessions as Women-Driven Innovation (K-12 IT Leaders) will explore what initially attracted women to the historically male-dominated field, how changing expectations affected their role post-pandemic, how they helped expand representation in the industry by working with Apple and Digital Promise, and what the alliance from a woman's perspective. . technology, Education and Equality: A Student's Lens shares the perspective of a high school student's journey through technology, the initiatives she has taken to close the gender gap, and students' perspectives on legislation, technology, and equality.
Additional events and receptions Provide opportunities to network and collaborate in discussions to explore ways to promote inclusion and belonging within the edtech space. These include the Women in tech Breakfast Summit, The Network Meet-Up: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Networking Event, Empowering Women Leaders to Overcome Challenges in Education, LGBTQ+ Reception, and the Alliance for IT Leaders underrepresented. By allowing time to network personally and connect with peers in the field who can offer resources, contacts, and experiences, these informal opportunities to expand one's network can result in lasting and meaningful partnerships.
Whether attending a collaborative and engaging CoSN2024 workshop (in-person or virtually) or accessing the tools available through the new CoSN DEI Clearinghouse, the dedication to bringing inclusion, diversity, and belonging to the classroom is key to guaranteeing a future. full of talented IT experts from all backgrounds.
