The CoSN Podcast

As districts across the globe grapple with the tectonic shifts caused by generative AI, there is a tendency to rush to the tool as an answer to nearly all challenges of content creation, evaluation and synthesis. This approach, while exciting, diminishes the human intelligence that is essential to effective, ethical and equitable deployment of this technology. This session provides guidance for a responsible process by which your e...

Cellphones are everywhere in schools — in backpacks, pockets, and sometimes under desks. But should they be banned, restricted, or embraced as learning tools? In this episode, inspired by CoSN’s To Ban or Not to Ban? Tackling Cellphones in Classrooms webinar, Common Sense Media’s Merve Lapus reframes the debate.

We explore why banning phones alone doesn’t teach digital discipline, how schools can combine policy with digital citizens...

During this session, we will highlight the implementation journey of our Generative AI Pilot Program, which aims to teach high school students how to use Generative AI safely and ethically within an academic setting.

This session will cover the development of teachers’ expertise in Generative AI, creation of AI policy, our decision-making process for selecting an AI platform, and the strategic structure of the Pilot Program to ensu...

In this episode of the CoSN Podcast, we recap highlights from CoSN’s webinar Safeguarding Student Privacy: Ethical Use of AI in K–12 Education.

• Why student privacy is about trust, not just compliance.

• How districts are building strong data governance frameworks.

• Key federal privacy laws—FERPA, COPPA, and PPRA—and why they’re struggling to keep pace with technology.

• What to ask edtech vendors before adopting new tools.

• Emerging priv...

Eliminating students' use of smartphones during the school day is right in concept but challenging in execution. Students would absolutely benefit from less distraction from phones and social media, and more in-person interaction at school. The challenge for schools comes not in establishing these policies but in enforcing these policies, which requires diligent participation from the whole community. School policies should be acco...

This presentation explores responsible AI implementation in K-12 education, focusing on enhancing learning while protecting student data. Topics include the benefits and risks of AI, best practices for data privacy and security, compliance with legal standards, and practical AI applications that ensure student privacy. Learn how to use AI responsibly to create a safe and effective educational environment.

Key Take Aways:

• How to i...

How will you innovate in your school district or organization this year?

Join CoSN’s Edtech Innovation Committee at our upcoming webinar on Wednesday, August 21, when you will discover how under-resourced, suburban, and large urban districts are implementing groundbreaking strategies to transform education in the upcoming school year. Edtech leaders in K-12 education will highlight practical examples and successful innovations that...

Continuous Learning, AI, and Digital Education Strategy

CoSN CEO Keith R. Krueger welcomed everyone, particularly the delegation from the US and Australia, to discuss the importance of continuous learning, especially in the context of the pandemic. The conversation focused on the sustainability of investments in education and infrastructure, and the potential of artificial intelligence in education. Carlos Medina from the Spanish M...

Join us for a dynamic discussion on the K-12 Generative AI Maturity Tool, developed collaboratively by CoSN, the Council of Great City Schools (CGCS), and Amazon Web Services (AWS). This tool builds on the insights from the K-12 Generative AI Readiness Checklist launched in the autumn of 2023. It is designed to help school districts assess and enhance their readiness for integrating Generative AI technologies.

Throughout the webin...

Join this dialogue with the Center on Inclusive Technology and Education Systems (CITES) to gain insights from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Education Technology and Office of Special Education Programs on the recently released assistive technology (AT) guidance and National Education Technology Plan. Each document highlights how students with disabilities can be supported to help ensure academic success. During the ...

We’re sitting down with Ross Lemke, manager of the US Department of Education’s Privacy Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) for a conversation to learn about common FERPA missteps and tips for keeping your district’s student data privacy program on solid ground. Learn what mistakes to avoid – and how to avoid them – as we dive into good practices for protecting student data privacy, straight from PTAC.

• Linnette Attai, CoS...

Please join us for a webinar as we welcome Reg Leichty and Andrea Johnson.

Reg Leichty is the Founding Partner Foresight Law + Policy Washington, District of Columbia

Andrea Johnson is a Policy and Research Assistant
Foresight Law + Policy Sheridan, WY Office

In our professional advancement webinars, education technology experts from across the country and worldwide present their specialties. During each interactive session...

Join Amy McLaughlin, Vince Humes, Tony Harvey, and Colleen Davoren as they discuss Key E-Rate Strategies.

In our professional advancement webinars, education technology experts from across the country and worldwide present their specialties. During each interactive session, experts engage in dialogue to address the challenges and opportunities facing educators. Webinars are FREE for members and $59 for non-members. Partner we...

The rapid advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology present both incredible opportunities and significant challenges for educational settings. Whether or not a school district is considering leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI), the influence of this technology on educational ecosystems is undeniable. As AI increasingly becomes a part of our daily lives, district leaders have a responsibility to understand its impact i...

Join us to delve into the pivotal interplay between artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. Join us as we unravel the ways AI is transforming threat detection, intrusion prevention, and incident response. We’ll explore real-world applications, benefits, challenges, and the ethical dimensions of AI in cybersecurity. Be part of the conversation to stay informed about the latest trends and essential insights for navigating this evo...

Learn about the Digital Equity Dashboard, an innovative and practical tool designed to help school districts and communities leverage data to close digital equity gaps. The powerful instrument integrates various national data sets into one comprehensive dashboard. By anonymizing the data and breaking it down into county, school district, and zip code units, the Digital Equity Dashboard provides school and community leaders with val...

1,619 cyber incidents: that staggering number represents only the publicly reported cyber incidents experienced by K-12 institutions in the U.S. between 2016 and 2022. The K-12 Cybersecurity webinar with the U.S. Department of Education is a call to action for education leaders in school districts and state agencies in support of the Biden-Harris Administration’s whole-of-government effort to improve the defensibility and resilienc...

As the new school year approaches, we understand the importance of staying ahead of the curve in the ever-evolving educational landscape. That’s why we are thrilled to invite you to an insightful and interactive webinar titled “Generative AI: The New School Supply?”

During this engaging online event, we will explore how Generative Artificial Intelligence transforms the educational experience for students, teachers, and school ...

Student privacy is a growing concern across K12 education. Although many digital tools and edtech providers have invested in student data privacy, many stakeholders are calling for more training, awareness, and cybersecurity in the classroom. How can we guarantee that students get the best possible experience leveraging edtech tools and that their data is secure and privacy safeguarded? 

In this episode of the CoSN Podcast, we discu...