T.H.E. Journal Magazine Hosts Free K-12 Virtual Security Summit--Sharing Best Practices

Sept. 15, 2010 - PRLog -- T.H.E. Journal magazine, the premier magazine dedicated to transforming the role of technology in K-12 education, in collaboration with CDW-G and its security partners, will host the School Security Virtual Summit, September 21 from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Eastern—a free online event for all K-12 educators interested in ensuring the safety of school data, students and facilities.

Geoff Fletcher, editorial director for T.H.E. Journal, will lead three one-hour panel discussions of enterprising school professionals who have found creatively effective ways to overcome three current safety challenges faced by school and district administrators: physical security, student-owned devices on school grounds and digital citizenship.

Covering physical security and kicking off the virtual event from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Eastern will be the panel discussion titled, “At the Intersection of IT and Facilities: Breaking Down the Silos for Better School Security”. This session will discuss the changes technology has brought to physical security and identify who the new stakeholders are that need to be involved in today’s K-12 facilities security project. David Carpenter, network administrator for Huffman Independent School in Texas; Brad Sandt of Park Hill School District in Missouri; and Graeme Buchanan, video surveillance specialist with CDW-G will share ideas and experiences in developing and implementing a successful tech-integrated physical security solution for schools and districts.

The movement to implement 1-to-1 computing programs in schools and districts while saving money is the main topic covered in the 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Eastern panel discussion titled, “Laptops, Netbooks and Smartphones: Creating a Safe and Productive Computing Environment for Student-Owned Devices.” Budgetary challenges have schools seeking creative solutions that use virtually untapped sources—student-owned devices and consumer products. K-12 technology professionals, Lenny Schad, CIO of Katy Independent School District in Texas; Charlie Kanavel, Director of Technology for Campbell Union High School in Calif.; and Tom Chomicz, network security engineer for CDW-G will cover ways that they have successfully introduced the use of student-provided devices and eReaders into schools and how they overcame security concerns associated with these mobile devices to create a safe learning environment.

The final panel discussion of the day from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. Eastern titled, “Digital Citizenship: Thinking Beyond the Acceptable Use Policy,” will show how schools can leverage social media as an instructional tool while also teaching students responsible online behavior. Directors of Technology from three diverse school districts: Brad Sandt of Park Hill School District in Missouri; Matt Castanera-Bartoszek of the Beauvoir School in DC; and Rob Mancabelli from the Trinity School in New York, will share insights and lessons learned from their own experiences in creating programs that promote digital citizenship.

In addition to the three panel discussions, the School Security Virtual Summit also offers attendees additional learning opportunities. Attendees can visit the Lounge to chat in real-time with their peers and industry experts; view demos and ask questions in the Exhibit Hall booths; and stop by the Media Center to download product information and presentation materials. Should someone miss a session or cannot attend the live event day, all materials will remain accessible on-demand until December 21, 2010.
For more information on the School Security Virtual Summit – including a detailed list of sessions, exhibitors, presenters and registration information – visit www.thejournal.com/securitysummit.

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T.H.E. Journal magazine, website, newsletters and online resources inform K-12 administrators, technologists and educators about strategies and best practices using technology to influence instruction and administration at schools/districts nationwide.