Jennifer Cummings
Fratelli Group
202.822.9491
jcummings@fratelli.com

Washington, DC (April 25, 2007) – The Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) today announced the launch of EdTechNext, a new series of "mini-reports" developed to keep educators up-to-speed on the latest trends in educational technology. The first report in the series highlights the vast resources available to educators and students through Internet2 – an emerging worldwide, high-speed Internet network created through a partnership of education, technology and government experts.

"In this digital age, it is difficult for school technology leaders to weed through the massive amounts of information available about new technology trends to drill down to the most useful tools being implemented successfully in schools," said Darrell Walery, Chair of the CoSN Emerging Technologies Committee and Director of Technology for Consolidated High School District 230 in Illinois.

EdTechNext reports provide a brief introduction of new technologies and answer questions about their educational value and technical considerations decision makers should be aware of before implementing. The reports will also answer the key question of what else is on the horizon in educational technology.

"These reports are designed to help educators navigate the world of ed tech by providing useful information about the most effective emerging technologies making an impact on teaching and learning," said Walery.

The first report, which was released last week in conjunction with a CoSN Webcast, themed What Does Internet2 Mean for K-12?, identifies the ways the network is being used to maximize student engagement and interactivity in learning. Internet2 is currently being used to foster local and international collaboration, build and gain access to digital libraries, and provide remote instrumentation and educational simulations that enrich instruction.

During the Webcast, Marla Davenport, Director of Learning and Technology for Minnesota TIES, provided perspective on how students and educators are benefiting from their Internet2 experiences.

"The network is a powerful tool that educators are using to connect their classrooms to the 'real world' in new and profound ways," said Davenport. "Instead of having to take cost prohibitive field trips outside of the U.S. to gain an understanding of diverse world cultures, instructors can now tap into Internet2 resources to provide students with an interactive experience that allows them to see and hear what they may otherwise have just read about in a book."

The second report in the series, to be released in the coming weeks, will focus on the use of instant messaging (IM) in K-12 education. For access to EdTechNext, please visit https://my.cosn.org/mycosn/welcome.cfm.

For more information about CoSN, please visit www.cosn.org.

About the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN)

The Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) is the country’s premier voice in education technology leadership with a mission to serve as the national organization for K-12 technology leaders who use technology strategically to ultimately improve teaching and learning. CoSN provides products and services to support and nurture leadership development, advocacy, coalition building, and awareness of emerging technologies.

CoSN leadership initiatives include: Using Technology to Raise the Achievement of ALL Students (www.accessibletech4all.org); Cyber Security for the Digital District (www.securedistrict.org); Data-Driven Decision Making (www.3d2know.org); K-12 Open Technologies (www.k12opentech.org); Safeguarding the Wired Schoolhouse (www.safewiredschools.org); Taking Total Cost of Ownership to the Classroom (www.classroomtco.org); Value of Investment (www.edtechvoi.org); and the development of the Council of School District Chief Technology Officers (CTO Council).

CoSN’s membership includes a unique blend of education and technology leaders, policy makers, and influencers from the public and private sectors. Our audience includes key technology leaders (often called Chief Technology Officers—CTOs) in leading-edge states and districts, policy makers, private sector leaders, as well as those technology leaders who wish to accelerate their districts’ or states’ systemic technology use. Visit www.cosn.org or phone 866.267.8747 to find out more about CoSN’s programs and activities supporting leadership development to ensure that information technology has a direct and positive impact on student learning in elementary and secondary schools.