Rebecca Torchia

Frederick

Editor at EdTech Magazine - Focus On K-12

She/Her | @EdTech_K12 Editor | @UofMaryland Alumna | 🖤 Lover of hikes, houseplants, hockey, coffee, & cats, in no particular order | Opinions my own

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Articles

Manage Differing Student and Teacher Operating Systems

2 weeks ago | edtechmagazine.com | Rebecca Torchia

May 23 2025 Software K–12 IT professionals are responsible for multiple different operating systems. Here are solutions that simplify management. Devices throughout K–12 schools are not homogenous, which leaves K–12 IT leaders with the task of managing a mix of Chromebooks, PCs, tablets and desktop computers.
Asked and Answered: 5 Microsoft Questions K-12 IT Leaders Are Addressing

2 weeks ago | edtechmagazine.com | Rebecca Torchia

Here are some of the top conversations K–12 IT professionals are discussing regarding Microsoft programs. 1. Using Windows Devices for State TestingTesting season in K–12 schools is stressful, but with tests moving online, IT leaders have an added responsibility to ensure all of the technology is prepared for and able to accommodate the assessments. Ask: One K–12 IT professional took to a forum to ask how they could configure Windows devices to ensure they were functional and properly locked down.
Chromebook Challenge on Social Media has Students Attempting To Set Fire to Their Devices

3 weeks ago | edtechmagazine.com | Rebecca Torchia

May 12 2025 Hardware A “hot” new trend has resulted in at least one hospitalization and has districts warning K–12 students about the consequences of intentionally damaging devices. A new social media trend may be encouraging students to damage Chromebooks in schools. Videos show students putting metal — such as aper clips, folded foil gum wrappers and springs — into the charging ports of the devices.
Streamline the Ed Tech Procurement Process in K-12

1 month ago | edtechmagazine.com | Rebecca Torchia

So, careful planning remains vital to a successful and sustainable technology lifecycle, but IT leaders may need to focus more closely on some of the details and make adjustments that fit their goals, student bodies and budgets. Here are three tips to maximize the device lifecycle. 1. Prioritize How Ed Tech Upgrades Fit Into Your Long-Term PlansA K–12 IT leader should know the district’s technologies and the relative time frame in which they will need replaced.
AI-Backed Physical Security Tools Improve School Safety

1 month ago | edtechmagazine.com | Rebecca Torchia

These capabilities are due in large part to AI features in the cameras and software. (Be aware of face recognition technology laws in your state before implementing these tools.)Think about the layout and operational complexity of a public high school. “A high school is a living, breathing being that’s open almost 24 hours a day and 7 days a week,” Krause said.
30 K-12 IT Influencers to Follow in 2025

1 month ago | edtechmagazine.com | Rebecca Torchia |JEN ROBERTS |Adam Phyall III |Alfonso Mendoza

Skip to main content Apr 22 2025 Management Expand your network with the ed tech leaders making waves today and join us in celebrating a decade of sharing and connecting the top voices in educational technology. Ten years ago, EdTech: Focus on K–12 published a list of blogs that covered all things relating to educational technology.
School Safety Experts Discuss AI-Backed Physical Security Tools at CoSN 2025

1 month ago | cdw.com | Rebecca Torchia

Physical security technologies have come a long way, said CDW’s Bryan Krause, senior national school safety strategist, and Tom Ashley, education strategist, at CoSN 2025. Previously, all schools could do with camera footage, for example, was review incidents after they happened. “That might be a student, or it might be bigfoot,” Krause said, remembering times he reviewed footage on older cameras with poor visibility. Now, cameras are much more powerful.
CoSN2025: What Concerns Hinder Schools’ Adoption of AI?

2 months ago | edtechmagazine.com | Rebecca Torchia

However, he stresses that anyone using AI — whether a child or an adult — needs to understand how it works, including its inherent biases. While the bias exists in all generative AI models, it’s easiest to identify in image generators, Shelton said. Even the “safest” AI models will show their biases in 15 seconds, he argued, and all he needs to do is ask it to generate an image of a teenager wearing an ankle monitor. “Take a guess at what the images were.
CoSN2025: Incident Response Strategies Save K-12 Schools From Headaches

2 months ago | edtechmagazine.com | Rebecca Torchia

Apr 03 2025 Security Is your school prepared to respond in the event of a cyberattack? One of the strongest arguments for improved cybersecurity protections in an organization is “it’s not if, it’s when,” meaning that the digital ecosystem will inevitably come under attack at some point. Eric Muckensturm, IT strategy manager for cybersecurity the Learning Technology Center in Illinois, said that’s not strong enough.
CoSN2025: K-12 Leaders Ignite Changes Across Districts and States

2 months ago | edtechmagazine.com | Rebecca Torchia

Apr 03 2025 Management Technology directors and superintendents shared anecdotes and advice on how to lean into digital transformation. As technology evolves, it’s important for schools to adapt to and integrate necessary changes. While artificial intelligence reigns as one of the most overt and exponential examples of digital transformation, there have also been changes in cybersecurity, connectivity and devices.