Cisco is pleased to present the Cisco Virtual Forum for Education Leaders, 2013 -afreeglobal conference that K-12 school leaders can attend from the convenience of their desktop or mobile device. Join us on March 19 (Americas and EMEA) and March 20 (Asia-Pacific) to hear education innovators from around the world who are transforming education today.  You can participate via live chat, in roundtable panel discussions on leading-edge strategies and practical solutions that are improving the quality of education.  The Forum opens with a keynote followed by  three breakout sessions for K-12 schools and higher education.

Keynote Presentation

Connecting the Unconnected-Amazing Trends that are Shaping the Future of Education

Today, education systems are facing unprecedented challenges. To address these challenges, education leaders are capitalizing on new technology trends to drive innovation and shape the future of education. This session will explore the impact of these emerging trends on teaching, learning and research in K-12 and higher education. Dr. Larry Johnson, CEO of the New Media Consortium and founder of the Horizon Project, is an acknowledged expert on emerging technology and its impacts on education. His research and insights will help education leaders plan for a rapidly changing future. Ellen Junn, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at San Jose State University, is at the forefront of developing new instructional delivery models. She will provide practical guidance on how new teaching methodologies and alliances can help universities meet their highest aspirations for students.

K-12 Schools Breakout Sessions

Leading Education Transformation to Improve Teaching and Increase Student Achievement

Leading education transformation requires a clear vision, measurable goals, and a cultural shift among faculty, staff and students. Mooresville GSD superintendent and author of the just published "Every Child, Every Day" Mark Edwards, and IASC chairman and superintendent Matt Grose, share their experiences and best practices on how they led major transformations to improve teaching and student outcomes in their school districts.

Getting to Mobile Learning-Lessons Learned When Implementing a  BYOD or 1-1 Computing Strategy

Many school districts are exploring mobile learning models as a way to enable technology-rich classrooms, initiate new ways of learning and increase student engagement.   Houston ISD CIO, Lenny Schad, and McAllen ISD superintendent  James Ponce, discuss the key factors that led to  the need to transform teaching and learning and catalyzed their move to BYOD and 1-1 computing strategies.   You'll learn how they met challenges of access and affordability for students in need, and how their programs have impacted student engagement, teacher satisfaction and parental involvement.

The New Collaboration Imperative-Ideas and Best Practices from Education Innovators

Collaborative learning is a vital way to enrich and expand curriculum, and improve student outcomes. Paradise Valley USD superintendent Jim Lee, Anoka-Hennepin superintendent Denny Carlson, and Presbyterian Ladies College director of information and learning technologies, Anna Hu, discuss how video technology and blended learning is enabling, engaging and empowering learners. They will share the creative ways to expand technology in an era of shrinking budgets and the positive results they've seen.

Register today for the Cisco Virtual Forum for Education Leaders to hear innovative strategies and practical solutions from these higher education leaders. Please visit the event site for the full agenda and line-up of speakers.