State leaders convene to discuss ed tech

"Keeping kids safe on the internet and allowing them to learn and explore online don't have to be mutually exclusive goals: That was one of the key messages delivered to state educational technology leaders who attended a recent event in Washington, D.C.

The occasion was the annual Leadership Summit and Education Forum, hosted by the State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) on Nov. 5 and 6. Called 'What It Takes to Compete,' the forum invited state education leaders from around the nation to a series of sessions highlighting best practices and innovative approaches for using technology to transform instruction and create 21st-century learning opportunities.

Session topics ranged from managing internet security to the importance of high-speed networks, and from 'three-dimensional' social networking to a definition of global awareness.

A central theme throughout the event was the importance of educational technology in preparing today's students for success in an increasingly global economy."