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Listen "FETC, VR & Cybersecurity: What’s Next for K–12 Tech? with Jennifer Womble"
Episode Synopsis
Welcome to Episode 17 of Zero Breach Zone, in this episode hosts Phil Hintz and Andy Lombardo are joined by Jennifer Womble, a trailblazer in the EdTech community and the visionary Program Chair of the Future of Education Technology Conference (FETC). Jennifer brings her passion for amplifying educator voices and designing meaningful professional development experiences to the table.Together, they dive into the evolution of FETC from a regional event to a nationally recognized EdTech hub, explore the rise of cybersecurity awareness in schools, and discuss the transformative role of VR and data privacy in the future of education.Whether you're a classroom teacher, tech leader, or EdTech partner, this conversation will leave you inspired to rethink community, security, and innovation in education.Key Takeaways:Jennifer Womble highlights the power of amplifying diverse voices in educationJennifer's story with FETC since 1994 & how the conference has grown to serve a international audiences while staying rooted in innovationWhy cybersecurity is no longer optional & how it's central to K–12 leadership conversationsFETC 2026 priorities & why networking & community are as valuable as the sessions themselvesIntentionality in conference design boosts engagement and impact - ie designing conferences for professional and human needsWhy students must be part of the cybersecurity conversationThe promise of VR in classrooms is already becoming a reality Data privacy remains a top priority as schools adopt more tech & educating students is the next step Parting Tool: Lucyd Glasses & Otis AI Chapters:00:00 Introduction to EdTech and Jennifer Womble03:01 Jennifer's Journey in Education06:09 The Evolution of FETC09:02 Building a National EdTech Community11:56 Cybersecurity in Education14:58 Creating a Collaborative Learning Environment18:00 Intentionality in Conference Design21:04 Engaging Students in Cybersecurity Awareness23:31 The Importance of Cybersecurity Education24:54 Engaging Students in Cybersecurity26:56 Understanding Cyber Threats28:43 Data Privacy and Student Awareness30:07 Innovative Tools for Educators32:42 Experiential Learning in VR37:21 FETC Insights and Opportunities
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