SWWC IT² 2026: Full Schedule

9:15am CDT

Thursday October 22, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am CDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Google is constantly updating its Workspace for Education Apps and features. Get new tips and ideas for using Google Slides, Docs, Forms, Chrome, Sheets, Classroom, and Gemini AI. Bring your device to try out these great tips and tricks!

Target audience identified by presenter: All Conference Attendees

Speakers

Jeremy Mikla

Instructional Technology Specialist, ECMECC

Jeremy Mikla is an Instructional Technology Specialist with extensive experience supporting PK–12 educators in the effective and ethical integration of emerging technologies. He regularly presents at regional and statewide conferences on topics such as AI in education, instructional... Read More →

Thursday October 22, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am CDT
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Listen and Learn

10:30am CDT

Docked and Loaded

LIMITED

Thursday October 22, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am CDT

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Limited Capacity seats available

You've heard of Docker, attended a session about it, or maybe even experimented with it yourself. In this session, we'll review the fundamentals before exploring tools and techniques that make managing containers easier and more efficient. You'll see a variety of useful containers you can deploy in your own environment, along with real-world examples of how I've used AI to build custom applications and deploy them with Docker. Whether you're just getting started or looking to expand your Docker toolkit, you'll leave with practical ideas you can put to use right away.

Target audience identified by presenter: Technology Systems and User Support;Network Support

Speakers

Darren Fransen

Technology Coordinator, SWWC Service Cooperative

Thursday October 22, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am CDT
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Listen and Learn

12:30pm CDT

MacBook Neo in the High School Classroom: Lessons Learned from Year One

LIMITED

Thursday October 22, 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm CDT

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Limited Capacity seats available

What does it take to successfully deploy and support a new device platform in a high school environment? Join us as we share our real-world experience implementing MacBook Neo devices at Marshall High School. We'll discuss deployment strategies, student and staff adoption, management and support considerations, classroom impacts, challenges we encountered, and the lessons we learned along the way. Attendees will walk away with practical insights and recommendations for schools considering MacBook Neo devices in their own 1:1 programs.

Target audience identified by presenter: All Conference Attendees

Speakers

Todd Pickthorn

District Technology Coordinator, Marshall Public Schools

Twitter: @TPickthorn

Thursday October 22, 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm CDT
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Listen and Learn

1:45pm CDT

Small District, Important Conversations: How A Rural District Built AI Guidance Together

LIMITED

Thursday October 22, 2026 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT

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Limited Capacity seats available

When Superintendent Scott Monson decided it was time to bring clarity to how Minneota Public Schools approaches AI, he didn't wait, he went looking for the right partnership. Working in tandem with SWWC Technology Integration Program Coordinator David Berner, Minneota assembled an AI task force, audited their current practices, and developed AI guidance that actually fits their community. In this session, David walks through the real process (tools, frameworks, and conversations) that moved a small rural district from scattered questions to a structured plan. You'll leave with insights and inspiration for how your district can do the same, no matter where you're starting from. Small school. Right leaders. Real plan.

Target audience identified by presenter: All Conference Attendees

Speakers

Devann Shultz

Technology Director | AI Coordinator, Minneota Public Schools

David Berner

Technology Integration Program Coordinator, SWWC Service Cooperative

David is the Technology Integration Program Coordinator at SWWC, where he leads and supports technology integration efforts across member and organizational schools. He manages a team of technology integration specialists working in the field, ensuring they have the tools and guidance... Read More →

Thursday October 22, 2026 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT
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Listen and Learn

3:00pm CDT

How to Spot AI Generated Content

LIMITED

Thursday October 22, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT

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Limited Capacity seats available

As AI tools get more advanced, so does their ability to generate misinformation. Spotting AI
generated content is getting harder, making it more difficult to know what’s real. This session will
go through strategies to detect AI content and the reliability of tools to detect them.

Target audience identified by presenter: All Conference Attendees

Speakers

Carter Squires

Applications Administrator, SWWC Service Cooperative

Thursday October 22, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT
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Listen and Learn

9:30am CDT

Small Changes That Dramatically Improve IT Support

LIMITED

Friday October 23, 2026 9:30am - 10:30am CDT

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Limited Capacity seats available

Great IT support is about more than fixing technology—it's about supporting people. In this session, we'll share real-world lessons and practical strategies for improving communication, building trust, managing expectations, and creating positive support experiences in K-12 schools. Attendees will leave with simple customer service techniques that can be implemented immediately to strengthen relationships with staff and improve overall technology support.

Target audience identified by presenter: All Conference Attendees

Speakers

Mike Carter

Senior Technology Coordinator, SWWC Service Cooperative

Mike Carter is an experienced school technology professional with a strong background in K–12 IT operations, infrastructure, and support services. He works closely with IT staff and leadership teams to implement practical systems that improve efficiency, communication, and service... Read More →

Kristin Lieser

Technology Support Specialist II, SWWC Service Cooperative

Technology Support Specialist for SWWC. Supports SWWC staff and site with technology needs. Vast experience with customer server and support.

Friday October 23, 2026 9:30am - 10:30am CDT
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Listen and Learn

10:45am CDT

Chromebook Durability by Design: Lifecycle, Repairability, and Smarter Purchasing

LIMITED

Friday October 23, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am CDT

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Limited Capacity seats available

We’ll cover the key stages of the Chromebook lifecycle, including long-term purchasing strategy, repairability, device value and longevity, warranty considerations, and other factors that help districts make smarter Chromebook decisions.

Target audience identified by presenter: Technology Leadership;Technology Systems and User Support

Speakers

Spencer Schwartz

Technology Support Specialist, SWWC Service Cooperative

Joe Hafner

Technology Support Specialist, SWWC Service Cooperative

Tyler Krehbiel

Technology Coordinator, SWWC Service Cooperative

Friday October 23, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am CDT
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Active Discussion

12:45pm CDT

Google + ISTE AI Literacy: Building Educator Confidence and Capacity

LIMITED

Friday October 23, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm CDT

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Limited Capacity seats available

Build your confidence and capacity with artificial intelligence through Google and ISTE’s AI literacy training for educators. This interactive session will introduce participants to the program’s educator-centered approach, including practical ways AI can support student learning, address common problems of practice, and reduce administrative workload. Participants will explore the structure and resources of the training, begin engaging with course content, and consider how tools such as Gemini can support their professional practice. Leave with resources, practical next steps, and a pathway toward earning Google AI literacy micro-credentials.

Target audience identified by presenter: Technology Integration;Technology Leadership

Speakers

Jeremy Mikla

Instructional Technology Specialist, ECMECC

Friday October 23, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm CDT
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Hands-on

2:00pm CDT

Cloud Benefits, Real Tradeoffs: Our Entra/Intune Journey

LIMITED

Friday October 23, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT

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Limited Capacity seats available

A candid recap of what actually happened when we joined our fleet to Entra ID and rolled out Intune — the surprises, the workarounds, and the policies that looked simple on paper but weren't. Expect real config gotchas, a few facepalms, and practical tips so you don't repeat our mistakes.

Target audience identified by presenter: Network Support ;Technology Leadership;Technology Systems and User Support

Speakers

Travis Rupp Zane Holmgren

Friday October 23, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT
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Active Discussion

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2:00pm CDT

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