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Iowa EdTech Update

April 2024

Statewide Youth Broadband Advisory Council Update

SYBAC Students Visit the ICN, Capitol Complex, and Lightedge Data Center

The SYBAC school year ended on a high note, with the students meeting with ICN leadership, exploring the ICN Broadband Information Center (BRIC), and witnessing Governor Kim Reynolds sign a bill during our tour of the Iowa Capitol Complex. We also had a great discussion about technology and careers during lunch, followed by an educational tour of the LightEdge Solutions data center. This marks the successful completion of our 9th year of SYBAC...

SYBAC Applications are OPEN! We invite all 10th and 12th grade high school students to apply and participate in this fantastic program! No need to worry about travel as we meet online every monthly meeting. It's a great opportunity to meet industry leaders, learn more about tech in Iowa, and network with peers. ➡️Help us find the perfect candidates for our SYBAC program and spread the word by sharing our free downloadable school poster with colleagues, fellow schools, and friends! Get your students to apply soon! Applications will be accepted until the end of May.

Congratulations to the students of the 2023-2024 SYBAC program for their outstanding participation! We are thrilled with everything they have achieved and can't wait to see what next year brings! Keegan, English Valleys CSD* Natalie, Des Moines CSD, Virtual Campus Kaden, Riceville CSD Addison, Ankeny CSD* Raymond, Council Bluffs CSD* Marshall, Riceville CSD* Christian, Waterloo CSD* Callahan, Nashua-Plainfield CSD* Jack, Osage CSD* Brandon, Council Bluffs CSD Javier, Waterloo CSD* Shreyas, Johnston CSD* Saanvi, Dubuque CSD* *completed Fortinet Cybersecurity Certification Check out our article on the cybersecurity course called Introduction to the Threat Landscape by Fortinet. The students have been working on this course throughout the entire school year.

HIGHLIGHTED SERVICE

Zoom Partnership Announcement

ICN has teamed up with Zoom to offer your school or organization a range of flexible and comprehensive features. Zoom’s cloud-based communication platform will provide ICN’s state-wide secure fiber optic network with robust solutions for voice and communication needs.

There are many benefits to using the ICN’s infrastructure for telecommunications services: a private network, top-notch security, network redundancy, and 24/7 network operations support. This includes features like HD Zoom video meetings, break-out Zoom rooms for seamless collaboration, and more.

Find out more about this partnership and how it can benefit you and bring stronger connections to your school!

JOIN US FOR AN IN PERSON WORKSHOP

Article Awareness

Fortinet Instills Fundamental Cyber Skills with its Security Awareness Curriculum

Fortinet Business and Technology
Includes: Demo, Resource Center, Free trial, and Contact Information

Developed for teachers, by teachers!

With limited time in the school day, teachers need a cybersecurity curriculum that is easy to use, and includes crucial digital safety skills while supporting existing academic standards. Teachers will have confidence knowing that this curriculum was developed for teachers, by teachers, to support an engaging and meaningful interaction in the classroom.

During our Security Awareness Curriculum design and development phases, we partnered with dedicated teachers from the U.S., Australia, Canada, France and U.K. Together, we've created a curriculum that combines diverse perspectives and expert insights. Join us on this cybersecurity educational journey today...

Note: Right now, this curriculum is designed for students aged 12-14, with additional content in the works.

Sign up here to be notified when early access becomes available.
Check out the Curriculum Overview for guidance on incorporating these lessons into your teaching.

Immersive Learning & Networking at Regional Leadership Summit

Tech & Learning

By: Stephanie Smith Budhai, Ph. D.

The Tech & Learning Regional Leadership Summits are unique opportunities to engage with other school and district leaders whose work draws from national, state, and edtech organization standards such as NGSS, CCSS, and ISTE. For educators, it provides a think-tank like space to dream and build innovative and accessible futures for learners.

Various subjects were discussed, ranging from cutting-edge technologies to the outlook of education. Below is a brief compilation of the topics addressed:

• Time to Tinker with AI: Provide time to explore different types of generative AI.
• Modeling AI Use: Leaders in schools are modeling use of AI.
• Talking to Students about AI: Have intentional discussions with students on what AI is and how it could or should be used or should not be used.
• Cybersecurity: Since 2018, cybersecurity concerns continue to increase, and K-12 schools are the No. 1 targeted population for ransomware attacks.
• Digital Equity: Student connectivity remains an equity issue.
• AI in K-12: AI will undoubtedly be a challenge going forward.

• Esports: Esports started in 1972 and offers students benefits like enhanced well-being, analytical thinking, networking, STEM skills, and more.

• NextGen Science Standards in Action: Work towards justice-centered and multilingual science education using the NGSS.

• The Shifting Role of Edtech Coaches: Intentional long-term planning with other coaches by forming coaching teams with reading, math, and science.
  
  

K-12 Schools Move to Cloud to Enhance Data Security

Government Technology - Focus On Education
By: Brandon Paykamian

“Ransomware is at an all-time high across education. Every year, it seems to unfortunately be increasing. They seem to be an easy target because of the different users across the board,” said Steven Freitas, a senior account executive at the Softdocs company. “A single cybersecurity breach can cost a district millions of dollars. You can see over the last year, we’ve had a rise of 275 percent, and it’s continuing to be an ongoing issue.”

He said working with third-party cloud providers can help alleviate the burdens on understaffed school districts’ IT departments by giving them extra access to IT security expertise and helping them ensure that schools’ data management practices remain compliant with changes in local, state and federal K-12 data regulations. For cloud providers such as Softdocs, he said it’s their job to “make sure we’re up to speed on evolving changes within the security realm.”

More Than a Newsletter

About the Iowa Communications Network 
The ICN is a state-of-the-art fiber optic network providing broadband and telecommunications services to its authorized users including high-speed Internet, data, voice, security, and consulting services. The authorized users of the ICN include: K-12 schools, higher education, hospitals and clinics, state and federal government, public safety, National Guard armories, & libraries.

Contact Us
Iowa Communications Network
Phone (515) 725-4692
Toll Free: (877) 426-4692