Professional Development
Call for Speakers Announced for Tech Tactics in Education 2024: Building the Future-Ready Institution
The annual conference from the producers of Campus Technology and THE Journal will focus AI, cybersecurity, data, ed tech, and other emerging trends in K–20 education.
The call for speakers is now open for Tech Tactics in Education 2024. The annual conference, developed by the producers of Campus Technology and THE Journal, will take place in Summer 2024 in the Southwest United States (venue to be announced soon). In line with the event theme, "Building the Future-Ready Institution," the conference will offer hands-on learning, practical tips, and strategic discussions on key technology trends impacting K–12 and higher education institutions.
Prospective speakers are invited to submit proposals for a variety of in-depth and interactive sessions, including panel discussions, hands-on tutorials, campus/expert perspectives, and interactive Q&As. Sessions should address current and emerging trends in AI, cybersecurity, data, and ed tech impacting education institutions and provide models for implementation, best practices, and strategies for effective technology leadership. Of particular interest are presenters who can provide hands-on exercises or concrete takeaways that attendees can utilize to fine-tune IT practices at their home institutions. Proposals are due March 1, 2024.
The conference program will feature concurrent sessions in five tracks targeting a higher education or K-12 audience, or both:
Navigating the Cybersecurity and Privacy Landscape
Education institutions of all levels are attractive targets for ransomware, malware, phishing, and other types of security breaches, and emerging technologies such as AI are bringing new capabilities to both attacks and defenses. What's more, evolving privacy and compliance concerns add yet another layer of complexity to an institution's security posture. For this track, we're presenting information that IT leaders can use to help defend their institutions or help them recover after the worst comes to pass. We're looking for best practices, case studies, lessons learned, tips and tutorials to avoid or recover from disaster, trends and predictions in the area of data/network security.
- Potential topics include: incident response planning, threat detection, ransomware, network/data security, student and staff privacy, security operations, strategic cybersecurity planning, IT security leadership, IT security funding/budgeting, identity management, zero trust, cloud security, phishing, cybersecurity awareness, cyber liability insurance, securing remote work/learning environments, risk management, disaster recovery, training staff
Driving AI Policy and Implementation on Campus
To date artificial intelligence in the education sector has been a little like the Wild West: unbridled exploration and potential with a serious need for governance and strategic direction. For this track, we're looking for practical applications of AI to advance the institutional mission, expert advice on AI risks, trends to watch, and guidelines for formulating an institutional AI policy that establishes guardrails without stifling innovation.
- Potential topics include: generative AI, predictive analytics, evaluating AI tools, AI skills/training, AI policy, AI risk management, AI's impact on ed tech, AI security and privacy concerns, responsible AI, workflow automation
Honing Leadership Strategies and Fostering Culture Change
In any IT initiative, technology is the easy part. Change management — getting hearts and minds on board — can be much more difficult. For this track, we're looking for lessons learned in the trenches and expert guidance to help IT professionals better communicate and lead their organizations through current and future challenges.
- Potential topics include: soft skills, leadership, IT communication, IT management, fostering culture change, change management, IT strategy, IT mentorship, professional development, becoming a new CIO/CISO
Developing Data-Informed Approaches to Enhance Student Success
Education institutions collect a wealth of data on students, but many still struggle to translate that into a quantitative impact on student achievement and other outcomes. In this track, practitioners will share how they are revamping their approach to data across campus to enable data-informed decision-making and support the institutional mission — all while avoiding pitfalls and ensuring that data is secure.
- Potential topics include: learning analytics, data literacy, data privacy and transparency, cultivating a culture of data, data governance, data integration, data infrastructure, data-informed decision-making, retention and student success, developing metrics and an analytics framework, student support, student experience
Tracking the Emerging Ed Tech Trends that Matter
From artificial intelligence to virtual reality, what education technology tools are truly making a positive impact on student outcomes? This track aims to separate reality from the hype and help keep IT professionals up-to-date on the latest technology advancements in teaching and learning. We're looking for experts and practitioners who can present on ed tech trends from an IT perspective, share best practices for implementation, and offer research-based insight into what's next in ed tech.
- Potential topics include: AI in ed tech, generative AI's impact on learning, virtual/augmented reality, new learning tools, technology-enhanced learning, next-gen learning environments, game-based learning, collaboration tools, remote learning, digital literacy, piloting/evaluating new technologies, future of ed tech
Presentation types include:
Panel Discussion
Panel discussions feature a moderator and at least two panelists speaking conversationally about an important topic or issue in the education community. Panelists must be secured before submitting a proposal. Seating is configured in theater style.
Interactive Q&A
In Interactive Q&A sessions, an individual or team serves as leader and moderator for a group discussion on an important topic or issue in the education community. Audience participation is key, with attendees encouraged to share their own ideas, experiences, and challenges. The session should utilize a shared digital worksheet or similar collaborative document to provide concrete takeaways from the discussion. Seating is configured in classroom style.
Hands-on Tutorial
Tutorial sessions provide a hands-on workshop led by an education practitioner where attendees can engage in brainstorming, problem-solving exercises, small group exercises, and other activities that directly relate to their institution's technology needs. Seating is configured in classroom style.
Campus/Expert Perspective
In Campus/Expert Perspective sessions, an individual or team presents first-hand experience with a technology project or expertise on a particular topic. Seating is configured in theater style.
Presenters should be higher education and K-12 IT leaders and practitioners, independent consultants, association or nonprofit organization leaders, and others in the field of technology in education. Industry experts will be considered for non-promotional presentations only. Submissions will be evaluated for relevance to the education field, clarity of title and abstract, usefulness to attendees, and coverage of current issues and trends. Speakers chosen to present at the 2024 Tech Tactics in Education conference will receive free event registration. Speakers are responsible for their own hotel accommodations, travel costs, and incidentals.
Visit the full call for speakers and submit your proposal here. For more information, visit techtacticsineducation.com.