Category Archives: Education

Top 10 Education IT Events in 2026 

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As educational institutions continue to navigate rapid technological transformation, staying connected with the latest innovations and best practices has never been more critical. From K-12 districts implementing next-generation cybersecurity solutions to higher education institutions leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance student outcomes, education technology is evolving at an unprecedented pace.   
Carahsoft Technology Corp., The Trusted Education IT Solutions Provider™, partners with leading technology providers to deliver comprehensive solutions that bridge the digital divide and empower educators, administrators and students alike. Throughout 2026, the education community will gather at events nationwide to explore emerging technologies, share successful strategies and forge partnerships that will shape the future of learning. Below are the key education events where Carahsoft and our partners will showcase innovative solutions designed to meet the unique needs of educational institutions of all levels. 

ASU+GSV Summit 

April 12-15, 2026 | San Diego, CA | In-Person Event 

The Arizona State University and Global Silicon Valley (ASU+GSV) Summit is a global gathering of education, workforce and technology leaders committed to transforming learning opportunities at all stages of life. Bringing together innovators from K-12, higher education, corporate learning, Government and investment communities, the Summit features keynotes, panels and curated discussions that explore emerging trends in education technology, workforce development, AI and more. Attendees will gain strategic insights, new partnerships and actionable ideas to accelerate innovation, scale meaningful solutions and drive impact across the learning ecosystem, from early education to career advancement. 

Carahsoft will attend this year’s ASU+GSV Summit, demonstrating our commitment to supporting innovation at the intersection of education and workforce development. Our team will be present throughout the Summit to connect with attendees and discuss our comprehensive portfolio of education technology solutions. We look forward to participating in the 2026 Summit and exploring opportunities to drive meaningful change in education technology. Reach out to EDUMarketing@Carahsoft.com to connect with representatives onsite 

Internet2 Community Exchange 

April 13-16, 2026 | Chicago, IL | In-Person Event 

The Internet2 Community Exchange (CommEX26) is a flagship annual gathering where IT leaders, technologists and teams from research and education institutions come together to exchange ideas, share knowledge and collaborate on the future of technology in research and education. This event celebrates decades of community-driven innovation and provides expert-led sessions, working meetings and peer discussions that tackle topics such as emerging technologies, data privacy and security and sustainable IT strategies, fostering meaningful partnerships that help drive institutional missions forward. Attendees benefit from strategic insights, practical solutions to common challenges and the chance to connect with a diverse community dedicated to advancing research and education technology. 

Carahsoft is looking forward to sponsoring and holding an exhibit at this year’s conference, supporting the collaborative spirit at the heart of the Internet2 community. In partnership with our reseller network, Carahsoft works closely with Internet2 to advance the NET+ and Cloud Scorecard programs, delivering trusted, vetted cloud solutions that help higher education and research institutions address shared technology obstacles. 

CoSN2026 

April 13-15, 2026 | Chicago, IL | In-Person Event 

The Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) 2026 Annual Conference is one of the leading national gatherings for K-12 education technology leaders, including Chief Information Officers (CIOs), Chief Technology Officers (CTOs), district administrators and education technology practitioners. Built around interactive keynotes, workshops and hands-on sessions, CoSN2026 equips participants with strategic insights and practical tools to address pressing challenges like cybersecurity, student data privacy, generative AI (GenAI) readiness and digital equity while fostering collaboration on building the future of learning systems. Attendees can connect with peers, engage in high-impact learnings and gain actionable strategies to lead technology-enabled transformation that enhances teaching, learning and operations across school districts. 

Carahsoft is excited to participate at CoSN’s Annual Conference 2026, with more details about our involvement to be announced soon. As a longstanding supporter of CoSN and the K-12 technology leadership community, we look forward to connecting with attendees to discuss the latest innovations in education technology. 

EDUCAUSE Cybersecurity and Privacy Professionals Conference 

April 28-30, 2026 | Anaheim, CA | In-Person Event 

The EDUCAUSE Cybersecurity and Privacy Professionals Conference (CPPC) is a dedicated event for higher education IT and security leaders focused on strengthening defenses, protecting data and advancing privacy practices across campuses. Designed for cybersecurity practitioners, privacy officers and technology decision makers, the conference delivers deep-dive sessions, real-world case studies and collaborative discussions on emerging threats, risk management frameworks, incident response strategies and compliance priorities unique to higher education. Attendees gain practical insights, new tools and vetted best practices to enhance institutional resilience, build stronger security programs and network with peers tackling similar challenges, making it an essential experience for professionals committed to safeguarding their organization in an increasingly complex digital landscape. 

Carahsoft is honored to be a sponsor at this year’s EDUCAUSE CPPC. Our team will be present throughout the Conference to connect with attendees and discuss our leading partners’ innovative solutions for higher education institutions. Additionally, Carahsoft will host a reception, providing an opportunity for participants to engage with experts and peers, as well as a roundtable in partnership with Palo Alto Networks. More information about our reception and involvement will be announced closer to the event date. 

ISTELive 26 

June 28-July 1, 2026 | Orlando, FL | Hybrid Event 

The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) 2026 Conference & Expo is one of the world’s largest and most influential gatherings of educators, administrators and education technology innovators dedicated to transforming teaching and learning with technology. With thousands of attendees from around the globe, ISTELive offers hands-on workshops, cutting-edge keynotes and an expansive expo floor filled with the latest tools, strategies and research to support meaningful, equitable digital learning experiences. Whether you are looking to deepen your skills with AI and personalized learning, build a stronger tech-enabled classroom or connect with a vibrant community of peers passionate about education innovation, ISTELive 2026 delivers actionable insights and inspiring ideas to elevate teaching and drive student success. 

Carahsoft will sponsor and be an exhibitor at ISTELive 26. Visit us at booth #3254 to connect with our education technology vendors and explore their solutions that are transforming teaching and learning. Our team will showcase cutting-edge technologies, including digital learning platforms, classroom collaboration tools, cybersecurity and AI integration. Stop by and learn how Carahsoft can support your mission to enhance student engagement and outcomes through technology innovation. 

EDUCAUSE Annual Conference 

September 29-October 2, 2026 | Denver, CO | In-Person Event 

The EDUCAUSE Annual Conference 2026 connects higher education IT leaders, technologists and institutional decision makers looking to shape the future of campus technology. This flagship event brings together thousands of professionals from around the world to explore strategic innovations, emerging technologies and best practices that address the biggest challenges in higher education, from digital transformation and cybersecurity to data governance and AI-enabled learning. With a rich program of keynotes, panels, interactive sessions and networking opportunities, attendees gain actionable insights, practical solutions and collaborative connections that help drive institutional success and advance mission-critical priorities across teaching, learning, research and administration. 

Carahsoft will have a significant presence at the EDUCAUSE Annual Conference 2026, offering opportunities for attendees to engage with front-line education technology solutions. Join us at booth #501 to explore 24 demo opportunities throughout the Conference, with 12 showcase spots each day, featuring solutions from our leading partners. Participants can attend our industry panel addressing critical topics facing higher education IT leaders. Join Joe Toste for live recordings of the Tech Tables podcast and network with peers at our on-site reception in the CarahCafe. 

Internet2 Technology Exchange 2026 

October 26-30, 2026 | Minneapolis, MN | In-Person Event 

The Internet2 Technology Exchange 2026 (TechEX26) centers on the practical, day-to-day challenges facing higher-education network and infrastructure teams as campus environments grow more complex. Through technical sessions and peer-to-peer conversations, a consistent theme continues to emerge: campus networks are being asked to deliver more than ever before. Institutions must provide secure, resilient, high-performance connectivity while supporting expanding research requirements, AI-enabled workloads, cloud adoption and hybrid learning environments—often with limited staffing and budgets. Network engineers and architects emphasize the need for better visibility, stronger security and increased automation to maintain reliability and performance across increasingly distributed systems. 

Carahsoft’s sponsorship of TechEX26 reinforces our longstanding commitment to supporting the research and education community. Through our partnership with Internet2’s NET+ program, Carahsoft works with member institutions to deliver reliable cloud and trust solutions that address shared technology challenges across higher education and research organizations. Our team will be present throughout TechEX26 and look forward to connecting with the Internet2 community to explore how Carahsoft can support your institution’s mission-critical technology initiatives. 

Carahsoft’s Sixth Annual EdTech Talks 

October 14-16, 2026 | Virtual Event 

Carahsoft’s Sixth Annual EdTech Talks summit is designed to equip academic IT leaders and education professionals with practical insights into the performance, security, cost-efficiency and modernization capabilities of today’s leading education technology solutions. This three-day virtual event will feature a dynamic mix of Classroom Panels, keynote Assembly Sessions and “Before the Bell” breakout discussions, covering topics ranging from school safety, digital equity, cybersecurity and the evolving student experience. Attendees will also explore emerging use cases for AI and machine learning in K-12 and higher education, with a focus on improving instructional outcomes, streamlining operations and supporting secure, scalable learning environments.  

Carahsoft is thrilled to host the Sixth Annual EdTech Talks, our premier virtual event for education. All presentation recordings and slide decks from the three-day event will be available on demand, allowing educators to access content on their own schedule. A detailed agenda will be posted soon. In the meantime, explore our sessions from the 2025 EdTech Talk Series to see how Carahsoft supports education missions through innovative technology solutions and thought leadership. 

As education technology continues to evolve, these events represent invaluable opportunities to connect with peers, discover transformative solutions and gain actionable insights that can be implemented immediately. Whether you are seeking to enhance cybersecurity posture, implement AI-driven learning platforms, improve student data privacy or modernize IT infrastructure, Carahsoft and our extensive network of education technology partners are committed to supporting your mission. We invite you to join us at these premier events throughout 2026 to explore how innovative technology solutions can help your institution overcome challenges, enhance learning outcomes and prepare students for success. 

More Events

NERCOMP 

March 9-11, 2026 | Providence, RI | In-Person Event 

The NorthEast Regional Computing Program (NERCOMP) Annual Conference brought together higher education IT professionals, faculty, researchers and institutional leaders from across the northeast to connect, share expertise and advance innovation in teaching, learning and technology. In partnership with EDUCAUSE, the conference created a collaborative space to exchange practical insights, build meaningful relationships and explore emerging trends shaping higher education IT. Guided by this year’s theme, “Connect Locally, Think Globally,” attendees strengthened regional partnerships while gaining perspective from global best practices, making the conference an essential opportunity to learn, network and help drive forward-looking innovation across the higher education community. 

Carahsoft was a proud sponsor, strategic partner and exhibitor at NERCOMP 2026. We connected attendees at booth our with our education technology vendors and leading innovative solutions. Thought leaders discussed pressing topics facing higher education technology professionals at our industry panel on Wednesday, March 11th, and our team was available to discuss how our tailored solutions can enhance campus operations and drive institutional success. 

CASBO Con 26 

March 31-April 1, 2026 | San Diego, CA | In-Person Event 

The California Association of School Business Officials (CASBO) Con 2026 is a premier annual conference and expo for school business professionals across California. The event brought together more than 2,000 district administrators, financial officers and other school business leaders to connect, learn and grow through high-impact sessions, hands-on learning and access to the California School Business Expo showcasing the latest solutions and services tailored to the challenges and opportunities in K-12 education and community colleges. By attending CASBO Con 26, participants deepened their professional expertise, built valuable networks with peers and industry partners and gained practical insights that advance excellence in school operations and leadership statewide. 

Carahsoft’s sponsorship of CASBO Con 26 reinforced our commitment to supporting California’s K-12 business and financial leadership community. Participants were able to connect with our education technology vendors and discover solutions that address the unique fiscal and operational challenges facing California school districts. Our team showcased technologies from our partners in areas such as financial management systems, cybersecurity, data analytics and cloud infrastructure.

To learn more or get involved with any of the above events, please contact us at EDUMarketing@Carahsoft.com. 

For more information on Carahsoft and our industry-leading education technology partners’ events, visit our education solutions portfolio and education technology events page. 

Building the Future of Higher Education Through Strategic Partnerships

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After more than 20 years of simplifying and facilitating technology procurement for higher education institutions, Carahsoft has developed a unique perspective: the greatest opportunities for innovation emerge when technology providers and campus leaders work together strategically, not just transactionally. Today’s most successful higher education IT initiatives share a common thread — they’re built on partnerships that align institutional needs with provider capabilities from the start.

This collaborative approach is transforming how campuses modernize infrastructure, strengthen cybersecurity and enable research excellence. Here’s what we’ve learned about building partnerships that deliver measurable results.

Understanding the Higher Education Technology Landscape

Campus CIOs are leading one of the most exciting periods of transformation in higher education history. The integration of Artificial Intelligence, machine learning and advanced analytics is opening new possibilities for research, student success and operational efficiency. At the same time, institutions are successfully navigating budget optimization, evolving institutional priorities and the ongoing need to strengthen cybersecurity posture.

From our vantage point as a Public Sector distributor working with hundreds of technology providers, resellers, implementation partners and thousands of institutions, we see tremendous momentum. Campuses are successfully deploying innovative solutions. Providers are developing platforms specifically designed for the unique needs of higher education. The opportunity now is to accelerate this progress through stronger collaboration and shared service.

What Campus Leaders Need to Succeed:

The most effective technology investments share common characteristics. They align with institutional strategy while delivering quick return on investment. They address current staffing realities rather than requiring extensive internal expertise. They integrate seamlessly with existing systems and workflows. Most importantly, they come with implementation support that helps institutions realize value quickly.

What Technology Providers Understand:

Leading providers recognize that higher education is a diverse marketplace with unique needs across institutions. A comprehensive research university has different needs than a liberal arts college or community college system. Successful vendors tailor their offerings to match institutional capacity which provides modular implementations that can scale over time as budgets and expertise grow.

Carahsoft’s Unique Position in Higher Education Technology

Our role as The Trusted Education IT Solutions Provider® and a Public Sector distributor gives us a distinctive perspective that benefits both institutions and providers. We facilitate numerous higher education technology transactions annually through cooperative contracts like OMNIA Partners, NASPO ValuePoint, The Quilt, E&I Cooperative Services and Internet2. This position allows us to see patterns and opportunities that emerge across the entire ecosystem.

View Carahsoft’s comprehensive suite of EdTech Contracts.

Operational Intelligence That Drives Better Outcomes:

Through more than two decades of higher education partnerships, we’ve developed deep knowledge of what drives successful technology adoption. We understand which contract vehicles institutions prefer and why. We know which implementation approaches deliver the fastest time-to-value. We’ve seen which vendor partnerships create the most sustainable long-term relationships.

This intelligence allows us to facilitate introductions and partnerships with a high probability of success. When a campus CIO describes their modernization goals, we can connect them with providers who have delivered similar outcomes for comparable institutions or state systems. When a technology provider wants to expand in higher education, we can share insights about institutional priorities, procurement preferences and implementation best practices.

Portfolio Breadth Enables Better Solutions:

Carahsoft’s portfolio spans Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence, MultiCloud, DevSecOps, analytics, identity management and more. This breadth enables us to help institutions build integrated solutions rather than purchasing point products. We can facilitate “Better Together” approaches where complementary technologies from multiple vendors create more comprehensive capabilities.

Accelerating Success Through Strategic Collaboration

Streamlined Procurement Accelerates Deployment:

Higher education institutions can access pre-negotiated pricing and state specific terms through cooperative contracts, satisfying lengthy RFP requirements and negotiations with vendors. This allows IT teams to focus resources on implementation and adoption rather than procurement administration.

Learn more about Carahsoft’s education contract vehicles and how they simplify procurement for your institution.

Implementation Support Addresses Resource Constraints:

Through Carahsoft’s reseller network, institutions can access partners who specialize in higher education deployments. These partners offer managed services, implementation support and ongoing optimization that address staffing challenges. This allows campuses to deploy more sophisticated solutions than internal resources alone would permit.

The Path Forward: Partnership as Strategy

As the higher education technology landscape continues to evolve, the institutions and providers that thrive will be those who embrace strategic partnership as a core operating principle. For campus leaders, this means viewing technology procurement not as a transaction but as relationship-building. For technology providers, this means investing in deep understanding of higher education operations, budget cycles and institutional priorities.

Carahsoft and our reseller partner are committed to facilitating these strategic partnerships. Our team of higher education specialists brings decades of combined experience in both campus IT operations and technology provider relationships. Together, we can ensure that every institution has access to innovative solutions that enable research excellence, student success and operational efficiency.

Ready to explore strategic technology partnerships for your institution? Contact Carahsoft’s higher education team to discuss your modernization goals and discover solutions tailored to your needs.

Technology providers seeking to expand in higher education? Connect with our team to learn how Carahsoft can accelerate your growth through strategic partnerships and streamlined procurement.

Better Together: How Nutanix and Omnissa Are Transforming End-User Computing in the Public Sector

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Budget cuts and the pressure to do more with less has pushed IT leaders in State, Local and Education (SLED) organizations to consolidate tools and resources to increase operational efficiency. Simultaneously, the dynamic of workflows are changing; modern-day students and Government workers need secure access to resources from anywhere, at any time.

Integrated solutions are helping SLED organizations eliminate the unnecessary complexity and costs associated with maintaining separate solutions for storage, compute and networking components. The recent partnership between Nutanix and Omnissa offers SLED organizations a platform for managing End-User Computing (EUC) across agencies, states, cities and school districts.

Vendor Choice and Pricing Flexibility

Faced with higher costs and more restrictions, many SLED organizations are seeking alternatives solutions that can provide similar functionality without the associated vendor lock-in risks. The Nutanix-Omnissa platform offers multiple licensing options, including per-user models that offer greater flexibility than traditional bundled approaches. Organizations can choose the licensing model that best fits their usage patterns and budget constraints.

The solution also works with a wide range of server vendors including Dell, HPE, Lenovo, Cisco and more, allowing organizations to leverage existing hardware investments or choose vendors based on their specific procurement requirements. This enables different agencies within the same Government entity to standardize on the same technology stack, eliminating disparate systems.

Hybrid Cloud Security, Compliance and Resilience

SLED organizations must be able to provide remote access to sensitive data while simultaneously meeting strict compliance mandates. The Nutanix-Omnissa Horizon platform supports certified Government cloud environments, including FedRAMP, GovRAMP and GovCloud, ensuring consistent enforcement of security policies across on-premises and hybrid deployments. Department of Defense (DoD) certifications validate the platform for regulated workloads, while unified access gateway appliances deliver secure, compliant remote access.

To strengthen resilience, Nutanix provides automated disaster recovery and replication across sites and clouds, maintaining workload availability even during outages. Agencies can extend their EUC environments across AWS, Azure and soon Google Cloud, balancing scalability with compliance while preserving consistent management and licensing. When paired with Omnissa Horizon Cloud-Pod technology, the platform can provide a true multi-cloud solution including on-premises hybridity.

How Nutanix and Omnissa Are Transforming EUC, blog, embedded image, 2025

Simplified Infrastructure Management

Outmoded infrastructure management often requires specialized expertise across hypervisors, storage, networking components and management tools, creating operational overhead and increasing the risk of configuration errors or security gaps. The Nutanix-Omnissa Horizon integration streamline operations through Prism Central, a unified management interface for multi-cluster and hybrid environments.

The platform includes built-in capabilities for replication, disaster recovery and automated maintenance that traditionally required separate tools and specialized expertise. Lifecycle management capabilities automatically update firmware, software and system components with zero downtime, allowing organizations to perform maintenance during business hours and reduce human error during update processes.

Technical Differentiators and Release Roadmap

Beyond EUC management, the Nutanix-Omnissa Horizon solution introduces technical advantages like Clone Prep technology that enables extremely fast, reboot-free provisioning, delivering near instant clone performance. Nutanix’s metadata-based cloning and data locality ensure low-latency performance for Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) workloads, while built-in deduplication and erasure coding optimize storage efficiency. Additional features further strengthen the platform’s ability to meet complex SLED requirements, including:

  • Nutanix Files – scalable file services that can be used for user profiles and Omnissa App Volumes
  • Nutanix Flow – microsegmentation and network security
  • Nutanix Data Lens – ransomware protection and data insights

The partnership is rolling out in phases to ensure stability and customer success. Limited Availability (LA) is currently offered, supporting Windows 10 and 11 automated pools, graphics processing unit (GPU) support and Unified Access Gateway (UAG) appliances. General Availability (GA) is expected between December and March, adding capabilities such as:

  • Automated remote desktop service (RDS) farms
  • Windows Server operating system (OS) support
  • Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) mode
  • Workspace ONE Access on-premises integration

Proven Partnership with Enhanced Capabilities

Thousands of organizations already run Omnissa Horizon on Nutanix infrastructure using vSphere, demonstrating the maturity and proven nature of the underlying technology platform. The addition of AHV hypervisor support represents an evolution of an existing partnership rather than an experimental new venture, validated real-world organizations that participated in the beta program.

The partnership brings together the complete technology stack and expertise from both organizations. Omnissa brings over 15 years of Horizon and Workspace expertise, while Nutanix contributes hyperconverged infrastructure capabilities. Together, they deliver mature, field-tested solutions that reduce operational complexity, consolidate infrastructure and enable future growth with confidence.

To learn more about how this partnership can transform your organization’s EUC strategy, watch the complete webinar, “Unlock the Future of EUC for Public Sector: Horizon 8 on Nutanix.”

Carahsoft Technology Corp. is The Trusted Government IT Solutions Provider, supporting Public Sector organizations across Federal, State and Local Government agencies and Education and Healthcare markets. As the Master Government Aggregator for our vendor partners, including Nutanix and Omnissa, we deliver solutions for Geospatial, Cybersecurity, MultiCloud, DevSecOps, Artificial Intelligence, Customer Experience and Engagement, Open Source and more. Working with resellers, systems integrators and consultants, our sales and marketing teams provide industry leading IT products, services and training through hundreds of contract vehicles. Explore the Carahsoft Blog to learn more about the latest trends in Government technology markets and solutions, as well as Carahsoft’s ecosystem of partner thought-leaders.

Embracing Human Intelligence into Digital Learning

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Artificial intelligence (AI) delivers scale and efficiency, but human intelligence adds empathy, creativity and critical thinking to create a balanced, impactful learning environment. Adding human interaction into digital learning offers advantages that AI alone cannot provide.  First and foremost, humans are consuming the information, and humans learn in a variety of ways, so training is often not a one-size-fits-all endeavor. There is also contextual judgement and nuance that might be missed by AI. Training should include an emotional connection to help drive learner engagement. Finally, the social learning aspect of open-ended discussions, engaging in the hive mind, mentorship and creating an ecosystem of peers delivers a more human experience. Let’s look at how Adobe Captivate, Adobe Learning Manager and Adobe Connect can help you deliver training that embodies human-driven content with AI efficiency.

Course Creation – The Perfect Combination of AI and the Human Touch

Creating courses from scratch can be a daunting task, and scaling them as your need for more training grows can be even more overwhelming. What topics to cover, which training methods should be used and how to deliver the courses is only the tip of the iceberg. The latest version of Adobe Captivate incorporates AI to help you create tailored training through simplified workflows that include content presets, slide templates and text to speech generation. For added interactivity, Captivate includes the capability to add interactive videos, choose from a built-in multimedia asset library and dynamic widgets. Once the core content is created, the information can be massaged to create story driven training based on real world experiences that span from soft skills to software simulation and everywhere in-between. Lastly, information retention can be supported through graded or knowledge check-type assessments to create quizzes with varied criteria to provide a fully polished training course. In short, let AI automate the more tedious tasks and keep the human touch as a core to add relatability to the final deliverable.

When to Leverage AI for Training Scalability

When your organization is growing and the need for high-volume repetitive training arises, AI can allow you to scale by helping you manage data-driven improvements and efficiencies. Adobe Learning Manager is a learning management system that can help you automate course assignments, track learner progress and generate a multitude of reports to measure the effectiveness of your training program. AI can be used to help create logical learning paths to help team members navigate organizations that have hundreds or thousands of course offerings with blended content types, such as self-paced, virtual training, in person or submission-based. Through Adobe Learning Manager, individual courses can be grouped into learning paths spanning a longer period, covering related topics and increasing the learner’s expertise in associated skills levels. Such learning paths can be configured with automated enrollment triggered by specified events, such as a learner’s registration to the LMS, their onboarding, promotion, re-location, upskilling and more. Carahsoft recently completed a case study* on Adobe Learning Manager that cited a 96% increase in growth over the last four years. It was a huge turning point in how training was delivered company-wide, and the number of courses and modules exploded to over 5600. Whether you are delivering on-demand, instructor-led or hybrid-style training, Adobe Learning Manager serves as a centralized hub where team members can complete compliance courses, engage in continuing education, develop new skills or renew their yearly certifications.

*Please click here if you would like to read more about how Carahsoft leverages Adobe Learning Manager to deliver over 5600 learning modules, 952 courses and 35 learning paths.

Virtual Classrooms – Where AI and Human Interactivity Join Forces to Provide Deep Learning Experiences

The key to any great virtual classroom experience is interactivity. Get your audience to the keyboard and the screen and keep them there. Adobe Connect provides numerous ways to achieve this, including breakout rooms, webcams, quizzes, multiple simultaneous screenshares, whiteboarding and persistent virtual environments. Humans tend to learn better when they feel seen, and are engaged in the training, this is the human element at work. Turn on webcams to create empathy, break into smaller groups to promote the sharing of ideas, leverage creativity by drawing on the whiteboard and start building an environment that is enhanced by AI but not solely driven by it. Once the human element is operating in full force, you can engage the power of AI to offer live support during a training session or to create post-training blogs to keep the conversation going after the course has ended.

When you learn to combine the power of AI with the relatability of the human touch, your training programs will scale, engage, educate and drive results in ways that were unimaginable a few short years ago. The future of training will incorporate hyper-personalized learning paths that include bite-sized microlearning modules, adaptive assessments, immersive learning experiences and AI assistance throughout the entire process.

To learn more about digital learning and AI, watch the webinar series, “Embracing Human Intelligence into Digital Learning.” To take a deeper dive into Adobe’s eLearning products contact us to schedule a complimentary demo today!

Carahsoft Technology Corp. is The Trusted Government IT Solutions Provider, supporting Public Sector organizations across Federal, State and Local Government agencies and Education and Healthcare markets. As the Master Government Aggregator for our vendor partners, including Adobe we deliver solutions for Geospatial, Cybersecurity, MultiCloud, DevSecOps, Artificial Intelligence, Customer Experience and Engagement, Open Source and more. Working with resellers, systems integrators and consultants, our sales and marketing teams provide industry leading IT products, services and training through hundreds of contract vehicles. Explore the Carahsoft Blog to learn more about the latest trends in Government technology markets and solutions, as well as Carahsoft’s ecosystem of partner thought-leaders.

Executive Order on Advancing AI in Education: What Government and Education Leaders Need to Know 

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The recent Executive Order-14277 promotes the inclusion of artificial intelligence (AI) in education and is a significant step toward preparing America’s youth for an AI-driven future. Signed on April 23, 2025, this directive establishes a comprehensive framework for integrating AI literacy and proficiency across the educational landscape.  

As schools explore the benefits of AI, Carahsoft and our partners are here to guide and support their journey. Here are the takeaways that we found most important from the recent Executive Order. 

Task Force on Artificial Intelligence Education 

At the center of this Executive Order is the establishment of a White House Task Force on Artificial Intelligence Education. This cross-agency Task Force is chaired by the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, and features executives from various offices and departments, such as the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Special Advisor for AI and Crypto and the Secretaries of Agriculture, Labor and Education. The Task Force will coordinate Federal efforts to promote AI in education and implement the policy initiatives outlined in the order. 

These include: 

  • Promoting AI literacy in the workforce and education 
  • Training educators in AI usage 
  • Integrating AI into early education 
  • Creating an AI-ready workforce 

This coordinated approach underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring students develop the skills necessary to thrive in an increasingly AI-driven economy and society.  

Initiatives for Enhancing K-12 AI Education 

With this Executive Order, schools are encouraged to establish partnerships with leading AI industry organizations, academic institutions and nonprofit entities to develop online resources that will teach K-12 students foundational AI literacy and critical thinking skills. Partnerships will be awarded on a rolling basis, with resources expected to be ready for classroom use within 180 days of the first announced partnerships. 

Additionally, within 90 days of the new Executive Order, the Task Force will establish plans for the Presidential Artificial Intelligence Challenge. This challenge celebrates student and educator achievements in AI, fostering collaboration between Government, academia and industry organizations, such as Varsity Tutors, which empowers students through its AI-powered adaptive learning platform, as well as its ability to recommend personalized tutors.  

Prioritizing Teacher Training and Professional Development 

Recognizing that effective AI education depends on well-prepared educators, the Executive Order directs the Secretary of Education to prioritize AI in discretionary grant programs for teacher training, authorized by the Elementary and secondary Act of 1965. This includes professional development focused on: 

  • Reducing time-intensive administrative tasks 
  • Improving teacher training and evaluation 
  • Integrating AI fundamentals across all subject areas 
  • Providing specialized training in computer science 

AI can reduce the burden on teachers by aiding with management. Platforms such as Degree Analytics and Education Analytics both utilize AI and machine learning to analyze student communications and engagement and provide reports to improve student performance and retention. Gaggle can help by alerting educators and parents of potential safety concerns with social media posts and other student communications, aiding educators in managing students. 
 

Additionally, the NSF is directed to prioritize research on AI in education and create teacher training opportunities that help educators effectively integrate AI-based tools in classrooms. There are a wide variety of AI-based tools for educators to choose from. Nuventive, for example, offers performance improvement platforms with AI-powered analytics for strategic planning in education. YuJa integrates AI for video captioning, analytics and engagement tools, and Turnitin helps educators detect plagiarism and writing patterns. PowerNotes, Docebo and Instructure (a Canvas platform) all feature organizational and learning enhancements for students. Docebo and Instructure (a Canvas platform) all feature organizational and learning enhancements for students. 

The Executive Order extends beyond K-12 education to address workforce development through AI-related Registered Apprenticeships. The Secretary of Labor is directed to increase participation in these programs by establishing specific growth goals with existing discretionary funds in order to support the creation of nationwide program standards. 

Building an AI-Ready Workforce Through Apprenticeships 

States and grantees are also encouraged to use Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funding to support AI-based learning opportunities. This component of the Executive Order creates significant potential for collaboration between education institutions, Government agencies and industry partners to develop comprehensive AI workforce development pathways. Some industry partners who have already begun integrating AI for workforce development initiatives are Education Technology, Services and Research (EAB), which uses AI to support student success, and YouScience, which maximizes student success by using AI to analyze a student’s interest and aptitudes and match them with academic pathways.   

The Path Forward 

Educational institutions and Government agencies seeking to capitalize on the opportunities laid out in Executive Order “Advancing Artificial Intelligence Education for American Youth” should begin planning now. Industry tie-ins can enhance education and learning, such as Udemy, which offers content recommendations and delivers AI course content, Invoke Learning, Inc., which leverages AI and data science to improve student outcomes and institution decision-making and Impero Software, which offers AI monitoring features for safeguarding and classroom management. Industry aid can go beyond K-12 education, too. Element451, for example, promotes student engagement and enrollment management in higher education.  

Carahsoft and our ecosystem of technology partners are ready to support this national effort to prepare America’s youth for an AI-driven future. Through our extensive contract vehicles and specialized AI solutions designed for educational environments, we provide the tools and expertise needed to implement the vision outlined in this landmark Executive Order. 

To learn how Carahsoft can help your organization implement the vision laid out in the Executive Order on Advancing AI Education, visit our comprehensive portfolio of AI solutions and discover how our trusted vendors can accelerate your institution’s AI-education initiatives today.

Top 7 State and Local Contract Vehicles to Support Your SLG Fiscal Year Requirements 

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As the end of the SLG and EDU fiscal year approaches, State and Local Governments and education institutions are ramping up purchasing to ensure every allocated budget dollar is spent and their organization is prepared for further IT advancements in the coming year. Leveraging the right contract vehicles can streamline procurement processes, ensuring timely and efficient acquisition of necessary technologies and services. These contracts can also provide technology vendors and resellers unique opportunities to expand their Public Sector businesses. 

Below, we explore the top contract vehicles that State and Local Governments (SLG) and education institutions (EDU) are using as they close out their fiscal year with their preferred reseller partner this month. 

1. NASPO ValuePoint 

NASPO ValuePoint is the cooperative purchasing arm of the National Association for State Procurement Officials, designed to provide access to the best possible IT solutions. It is considered to be the nation’s most significant public contracting cooperative. The contract offers a wide variety of cloud solutions, including IaaS, PaaS and SaaS. 

Carahsoft’s Contract: NASPO ValuePoint contract #AR2472 includes thousands of technology vendors. 

Who Can Use It: State and Local Governments, municipalities and public education entities (K-12 and Higher-Education). 

2. GSA Cooperative Purchasing Program 

The General Services Administration (GSA) Cooperative Purchasing Program  grants State and Local Government entities access to Federal GSA Schedule contracts for IT solutions and professional services. The GSA Cooperative Purchasing Program provides a streamlined procurement process for State and Local Governments to purchase IT solutions, often with pre-negotiated and cost-effective pricing structures. 

Carahsoft’s Contract: GSA Schedule #47QSWA18D008F, aggregates solutions from many technology vendors. 

Who Can Use It: State and Local Governments. 

3. Texas Department of Information Resources (TX DIR) 

The Texas Department of Information Resources (TX DIR) has established a Cooperative Contracts Purchasing Program which offers a wide range of product offerings, services and technology solutions to Public Sector customers in Texas and nationwide. The DIR contracts streamline the procurement process by handling all of the preliminary work upfront, making it easier for eligible entities to acquire a wide range of hardware, software, cloud solutions and professional IT services. Public organizations outside of Texas are also eligible to purchase through DIR contracts. 

Carahsoft Contract: Carahsoft holds seven TX DIR contracts, offering a wide variety of products and services from hundreds of technology vendors. 

Who Can Use It: State and Local Governments, public education and other public entities nationwide. 

4. California Software Licensing Program (CA SLP) 

The California Software Licensing Program (CA SLP), established in 1994 and administered by the Department of General Services’ Procurement Division provides State and Local Government entities within the state of California with access to discounted software licensing agreements. This vendor held contract expedites and simplifies the procurement process while supporting State Government modernization goals with a host of technology solutions. 

Carahsoft Contract: Carahsoft acts as a reseller on 19 CA SLP contracts, offering solutions ranging from data management to cybersecurity and more. 

Who Can Use It: State and Local Government agencies in California. 

5. E&I Cooperative Services 

E&I Cooperative Services is the largest and most experienced member-owned, non-profit purchasing cooperative focused on education. E&I provides education institutions with access to IT products and services, including learning management systems, classroom technologies and administrative software tailored to their unique needs. 

Carahsoft Contract: E&I Cooperative Services contract #EI00063-2021MA provides E&I members with cloud and managed service solutions and related IT products and services. 

Who Can Use It: Educational institutions, including K-12 schools, teaching hospitals, colleges and universities. 

6. OMNIA Partners Public Sector 

OMNIA Partners is one of the largest Public Sector cooperative purchasing organizations, providing comprehensive access to a wide variety of technology contracts across hardware, software and cloud solutions. The cooperative purchasing program is focused on efficiency, compliance and value, aiming to further streamline the procurement process for the Public Sector entities that leverage this contract. 

Carahsoft Contract: Carahsoft’s contracts with OMNIA Partners, #R240303 and #23-6692-01, provide State and Local Governments and education institutions with access to technology from over 150 vendors. 

Who Can Use It: State and Local Governments, public education institutions and nonprofits that are approved OMNIA partners. 

7. The Quilt 

The Quilt is a national coalition of advanced regional networks for research and education, providing members with access to IT services and technologies. The Quilt provides access to technologies that meet the specific needs of educational and research communities, offering high-performance computing, research networking and related IT services to hundreds of universities and thousands of other education institutions. 

Carahsoft Contract: MSA – 05012019F offers members with access to networking, cloud infrastructure, data management, cybersecurity, virtualization and enterprise technologies. 

Who Can Use It: Higher education institutions, research institutions and related organizations. 

By turning to these popular contract vehicles, State and Local Governments and education institutions can easily find and purchase technologies that map to their modernization efforts while ensuring compliance and maximizing investments through their preferred resellers. As the fiscal year draws to a close, these contracts serve as a vital resource for timely and cost-effective procurement, driving end-of-year business to new heights and propelling Public Sector advancements. 

For more information on Carahsoft’s offerings under each of these contract vehicles, please reach out to contracts@carahsoft.com. 

Ghost Students, Real Damage: How Colleges Can Fight Back Against Financial Aid Fraud

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Higher education is facing a quiet but costly crisis: the rise of the ghost student.

“Ghost students” are not just overwhelmed freshmen who give up on attending classes. They refer to fraudulent enrollments that exploit financial aid. These individuals use fake or stolen identities to exploit the college admissions and funding process. Although they appear on class rosters, they never actually attend any classes, ultimately vanishing with thousands of dollars in public aid. This leaves a trail of deception and exposes the institution to financial loss, academic disruption and significant risk.

According to ABC News,

  • In California in 2024, community colleges reported 1.2 million fraudulent Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) applications, resulting in 223,000 confirmed fake enrollments, and at least $11.1 million in aid lost that could not be recovered.
  • Across the country, scams are evolving: AI-driven chatbots are now enrolling in online courses, submitting assignments and collecting Federal aid checks before disappearing.

This isn’t an isolated glitch. It’s a systemic problem that’s already impacted colleges across the country. A recent Fortune investigation revealed the extent of the issue, particularly within State-funded and community colleges. 

Let’s take a closer look at what’s happening—and how schools can take action.

What Ghost Students Are Really Costing Colleges

Draining Financial Aid Funds

Ghost students are exploiting the very programs designed to make education more accessible. By submitting fake applications and filing for FAFSA, they’re securing grants and loans that should go to real students.

  • Millions of taxpayer dollars are being misappropriated.

  • Real students face delays or reductions in funding.

  • Colleges could be subject to additional Federal review related to institutional oversight.

Blocking Real Students from Classes

When ghost students enroll in courses, they take up space in classes with limited capacity.  Real students are waitlisted or forced to delay required coursework causing. 

  • Retention and graduation timelines to be negatively affected.

  • Institutions appear to have higher demand than they do, skewing planning and resourcing.

Creating Chaos for Faculty

Faculty are on the front lines but often lack the tools to act.  Professors see names on rosters that never attend class or engage online.  They waste time managing attendance and grading systems for non-existent students.  In some systems, participation verification ties directly to financial aid distribution, making instructors unwilling fraud gatekeepers.

Undermining Academic Integrity

Some ghost students now use AI tools to simulate engagement, submitting auto-generated assignments or quizzes just enough to avoid detection.  This adds new complexity to academic fraud detection systems.  It creates a misleading sense of engagement and learning outcomes.  It diminishes the credibility of online and hybrid learning models.

Eroding Institutional Trust

When ghost student scams become public, institutions face:

  • Loss of public trust from taxpayers and lawmakers.

  • Stricter audits and compliance measures from Federal and State agencies.

  • Damage to brand reputation, especially for open-access colleges already facing enrollment challenges.

Best Practices to Combat Ghost Student Fraud

The good news? Colleges and universities can take clear, effective steps to combat ghost student fraud—without disrupting the experience of legitimate applicants and learners.

1. Strengthen Identity Verification at Enrollment

  • Require secure identity checks—such as photo ID uploads, Government document validation or third-party identity verification services.

  • Consider real-time methods (e.g., liveness checks or short video interviews) for applicants flagged as high-risk.

  • Cross-reference application data with trusted third-party sources (address, SSN, IP) to verify legitimacy.

2. Monitor for Behavioral and Digital Red Flags

  • Track enrollment behaviors across systems—such as IP location, email reuse or batch submissions.

  • Use device fingerprinting and geolocation to detect patterns consistent with coordinated fraud.

  • Flag applications originating from anonymized networks (e.g., VPNs, Tor) or unusual time patterns.

3. Audit Student Engagement After Enrollment

  • Regularly review course engagement data: login frequency, assignment submissions and participation metrics.

  • Identify students who never log in, submit the same content as others, or only “check in” once to trigger aid distribution.

  • Coordinate across departments to investigate anomalies in LMS usage and academic records.

4. Empower Faculty and Staff with Reporting Tools

  • Provide professors with simple tools to flag suspicious student behavior or attendance issues.

  • Create workflows to escalate these reports to IT, compliance or enrollment services.

  • Incorporate faculty feedback into larger fraud detection strategies and data models.

5. Automate Risk-Based Escalation

  • Apply more scrutiny to applications that show unusual patterns, while keeping onboarding smooth for verified students.

  • Avoid unnecessary friction by using layered security that adapts to the level of risk.

  • Balance access and security, especially critical for open-access institutions serving vulnerable populations.

A Trusted Partner in the Fight Against Ghost Students

Addressing the issue of ghost students requires more than just technological solutions. It necessitates effective coordination among admissions, IT, financial aid and academic departments, along with the right combination of data, policies and personnel.

At HUMAN Security, we have assisted organizations across various industries in defending against sophisticated fraud campaigns, including fake account creation, credential abuse and automated bot attacks. Our team possesses extensive expertise in fraud detection, protecting student identity and behavioral intelligence, and we are prepared to assist higher education institutions in tackling these challenges as well.

We’re not here to sell a one-size-fits-all product—we’re here to have a conversation.

If you’re a university administrator, faculty member or IT leader concerned about ghost students, HUMAN can provide a free consultation to discuss:

  • Best practices for protecting your institution

  • Tailored risk assessment strategies

  • How to align fraud defenses with student equity and access

Let’s work together to protect financial aid, support faculty and create a safer learning environment for real students.

Ready to talk? Contact HUMAN to start a conversation about how your institution can detect and prevent ghost student fraud before it costs your school and your students.

Carahsoft Technology Corp. is The Trusted Government IT Solutions Provider, supporting Public Sector organizations across Federal, State and Local Government agencies and Education and Healthcare markets. As the Master Government Aggregator for our vendor partners, including HUMAN Security we deliver solutions for Geospatial, Cybersecurity, MultiCloud, DevSecOps, Artificial Intelligence, Customer Experience and Engagement, Open Source and more. Working with resellers, systems integrators and consultants, our sales and marketing teams provide industry leading IT products, services and training through hundreds of contract vehicles. Explore the Carahsoft Blog to learn more about the latest trends in Government technology markets and solutions, as well as Carahsoft’s ecosystem of partner thought-leaders.

Top 3 Trends Enhancing Digital Learning Experience in 2025

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The advent of innovative technology and modern learning techniques has opened an array of possibilities for adult and student learning. L&D leaders and educators can customize their training and teaching instruction for employees and students to deliver the best learning experience possible.

With technological advancement, digital learning is no longer confined to static online courses. It has become an interactive and technology-driven space that adapts to the needs of modern learners. With the increasing reliance on digital platforms, it is vital to explore ways to optimize course delivery and improve learner engagement. The focus is no longer just on delivering content but also on making learning more intuitive, practical, and aligned with resolving real-world challenges.

Carahsoft recently conducted a webinar in partnership with Harbinger Group, titled ‘The Digital Learning Experience: Top 3 Trends for 2025’ featuring industry experts, Alistair Lee, Principal Evangelist at Adobe, Scott Biegel, Principal Solution Consultant at Adobe, and Umesh Kanade, Vice President – Capability Development at Harbinger Group. Hosted by Shannon Teel, Partner Sales Leader at Adobe, this webinar discussed the top three trends in the digital learning space for L&D and education leaders to consider.

Adobe Top 3 Trends Enhancing Digital Learning Experience Webinar Blog embedded image 2025

Trend 1: AI and Generative AI

AI simulates human intelligence in machines, while GenAI uses algorithms to autonomously create new content. It is reshaping digital learning by delivering learning experiences tailored to individual needs. This ensures learners receive targeted recommendations that align with their goals and preferred learning styles.

GenAI can provide L&D teams and educators as well as adult learners and students with learning recommendations based on previous course work, content consumed by peers, and the delivery modality from previous content selections. By observing the learning patterns and learner behaviors, GenAI can aid trainers and educators in populating forms from a variety of different mediums. For learners, it can help improve learning results and stay engaged with relevant content.

Beyond personalization, AI-based automated custom content development is accelerating course development, reducing both time and costs while ensuring high-quality, customized learning experiences at scale. AI-based tools can generate course content, including quizzes, assessments, interactive simulations, and multimedia elements.

Some examples include:

Text

  • Session outlines
  • Slide structure or speaker notes
  • Abstracts or introductions
  • Quiz questions
  • Polls or group exercises

Images

  • Backgrounds for virtual rooms or camera
  • Whiteboard exercises
  • Slide imagery

Audio

  • Lobby music
  • Sound effects
  • Announcements
  • Translations

Video

  • Localized video
  • Stringer or lobby content

AI can analyze existing graphics and media assets to maintain a consistent style, ensuring newly generated course content aligns seamlessly. This helps prevent generic outputs and avoids copyright issues while enhancing the overall quality of the learning materials.

Tips to Effectively Generate Content Using AI

Apart from learning content, AI can be leveraged to generate teaching instruction plans and L&D workflows. For example, AI tools can be used to create automated leadership coaching plans and analysis, add clarity to session notes, improve lecture structure, or develop targeted employee training framework.

However, L&D leaders, educators, and instructional designers need to implement the right prompt writing techniques to best use AI for generating digital learning content.

“Use AI to help you with AI. A chatbot can help you create a more effective prompt. You can prompt a chatbot to ask you questions to get a better result. So, instead of just producing a result, tell the chatbot to ask you questions related to the topic you’re looking for, and it will do so before producing the result. I think you’ll get much better qualitative content out of that,” shared Alistair.

It’s highly recommended to consider using the ‘CISCO’ prompt structure when interacting with AI chatbots for generating digital learning content.

Context: Explain your role and goal

Intent: Describe the intent of your prompt and what you want to achieve

Style: Consider what tone you want to employ

Commands: List out detailed instructions and rules to follow

Outcome: Outline the specific format you want to receive the results in

Educators with special considerations, such as privacy concerns, should consider retrieval augmented generation (RAG) models or retrieval augmented language models (REALM). These models are trained specifically on your content. This way, rather than asking public AI generators, agencies or organizations can utilize RAG and REALM to ensure accuracy and internally guided content.

Agentic AI is another hot trend in digital learning. It improves learning success and drives business outcomes with next-gen learning environments, intelligent tutoring systems, faster content development, custom learning pathways, automated assessment, and AI-driven gamification. To know how to effectively leverage Agentic AI in eLearning, download this comprehensive practical guide.

Trend 2: Advanced Learning Analytics

Learning is driven by engagement, and therefore, it is vital to ensure learners are listening and are engaged. Advanced learning analytics can help L&D leaders and educators drive engagement and tailor their training and lesson plans.

Traditionally, standard reports only featured data on how much time learners spent in the learning space. Contrastingly, modern digital learning analytics can not only inform L&D teams and educators how long learners were present in the learning space but also how connected they were.

Some key learner engagement indicators include:

  • Asking questions
  • Responding to polls
  • Utilizing chat features
  • Downloading learning materials
  • Enabling their microphone
  • Interacting with emotes

Digital reports can feature data on whether the window was in focus or if the learner was taking notes, chatting, or responding to polls. Each L&D leader or educator should consider how they want to measure engagement to determine the effectiveness of sessions. Indicators of elements that drive interactions can help them optimize and perfect the digital learning experience.

A more engaged learning environment not only enhances knowledge retention but also fosters a stronger connection between learners and instructors, making the experience more interactive and valuable. Engagement is also influenced by the relevance and adaptability of content. When learning materials are updated, personalized, and aligned with learners’ goals, engagement improves. If the content is outdated or disconnected from real-world applications, engagement levels may decline, signaling the need for modifications.

L&D teams and educators should consider continuously monitoring and refining digital learning and engagement strategies through advanced learning analytics. This will help them create a learning experience that feels dynamic, relevant, and impactful.

Apart from advanced analytics, adaptive assessment and predictive analytics are the two other key aspects of digital learning data analytics. Here’s a snapshot of the three types of digital learning data analytics discussed in the webinar:

Trend 3: Hybrid Learning Models

Traditionally, L&D leaders and educators had to consider whether their sessions should be conducted in a synchronous or asynchronous form. With the advent of digital learning, they must now determine whether their learning and training sessions should be conducted in person or virtually, or in hybrid form.

They also need to decide if the sessions must incorporate features such as:

  • Microlearning
  • Compliance learning
  • Collaborative breakouts
  • Simulations
  • On-the-job learning

When coming to a decision, it is important to consider the learning objective, and the advantages and weaknesses of each, so learners get the most out of the session. L&D teams and educators should not be afraid to experiment with new modalities, as it may bring out the strength of a session, enhancing the learning experience.

Expanded Modalities in Hybrid Learning

Expanded modalities in hybrid learning are the range of ways in which content is delivered, and learning is experienced, going beyond traditional in-person and online formats. The idea is to enhance flexibility, engagement, and personalization by offering multiple paths for learners to interact with the material, instructors, and peers.

Expanded modalities aim to meet diverse learner needs and preferences while maximizing the strengths of both digital and physical environments. In modern hybrid learning models, this flexibility is key to increasing accessibility, equity, and learner success.

Here are some expanded modalities in hybrid learning:

Parting Thought

With AI, advanced learning analytics, and hybrid learning, the digital learning experience is better than ever. These technologies and models allow L&D leaders and educators to refine their approach, making learning more interactive, responsive, and accessible. They can not only optimize the learning experience but also increase course completion rates, while ensuring learners are well-equipped for the future.

For today’s workforce, learning isn’t just about acquiring new knowledge, it’s about career advancement, staying relevant in their industry, or transitioning to new roles. With smarter learning systems that adapt to individual progress, digital learning helps them build practical skills that directly impact their professional growth.

To learn more about digital learning trends for 2025, watch the webinar, “The Digital Learning Experience: Top 3 Trends for 2025.” To take a deeper dive into Adobe’s eLearning products, contact us to schedule a complimentary one-on-one demonstration today!

Program Executive for Education Solutions: The Top 10 Education Events in 2025

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Education technology expands and transforms every year. With new and evolving solutions, students, faculty and administration can cultivate diverse learning experiences, make strides in cyber and physical security for their school systems and explore new opportunities with tools like AI. Carahsoft Technology Corp., The Trusted Education IT Solutions Provider®, features a robust EdTech portfolio for K-12 and Higher Education solutions to help our customers bridge the digital divide and meet the demands of modern education. Check out the top education events to attend this year and join us in discovering EdTech’s latest innovations. 

NAEP EPIC 

May 4-7 | New Orleans, LA | In-Person Event 

The National Association of Educational Procurement EPIC event sets the stage for visionaries, educators, Government experts and thought leaders to discover new ways for innovation and education procurement to converge. This year, the event formerly known as the “Annual Meeting” is getting a brand new name: Educational Procurement Innovation Conference or “EPIC.”  

At this K-12 focused event, attendees will have the opportunity to listen to inspirational keynotes, participate in interactive workshops, network with peers, explore cutting-edge technologies and join in on thought-provoking discussions. 

Here are the potential focus tracks you can expect this year (subject to change): 

  • Contracting and Risk Management 
  • Supplier Relationship Management 
  • Team Development and Structure 
  • Emerging Trends and Technologies 
  • Spend Management and Category Optimization 

Carahsoft has supported the NAEP national and regional shows for the past three years, continuing to invest in the brand as we expand our footprint in the education space. At this year’s event, we will be featured as an Exhibitor Sponsor. Join us at the Hyatt Regency in New Orleans and stay tuned for more on our involvement in this event!  

Educause Cybersecurity and Privacy Professionals Conference 

May 19-21 | Baltimore, MD | In-Person Event 

Student safety and security are consistently at the forefront of educators’ minds and discovering innovative and modern ways to ensure those basic requirements are met is imperative. With tailored focus on higher education, this premier Educause forum connects attendees with information security and privacy professionals to do just that. Network and discuss the latest cybersecurity trends and current events with peers and solution providers to make a meaningful impact on your community as well as the entire education sector. 

Program tracks to look out for:  

  • Privacy  
  • Risk, Compliance and Policy  
  • Awareness and Education  
  • Technologies and Operations  
  • Leadership and Professional Development  

Carahsoft is committed to bringing you the latest tech and most powerful cybersecurity tools within the education space today. We hope you will join us at Educause CPPC for three full days of learning, networking and preparing for the future of higher education. Carahsoft will be sponsoring at this year’s event, so stay connected with us to learn more about the partners our partners who will be co-sponsoring with us. Also, join us at our reception during the event (more to come)! 

Internet2 Community Exchange 

April 28-May 1 | Anaheim, CA | In-Person Event 

Learn, explore and connect at the 2025 Internet2 Community Exchange—an event where the industry and education sector connect to share knowledge on the leading challenges and solutions driving higher education today. Together, the global Research and Education (R&E) community and Internet2 empower teams, building meaningful collaborations and relationships within education to elevate the success of students, faculty and administrators everywhere. When attending Community Exchange, guests will be helping transform higher education through peer learning, sharing experiences and discussing topics like policy, current trends and best practices. 

The focus of program tracks this year will be: 

  • Leveraging Advanced Networking  
  • Cloud Services and Solutions 
  • Security Concerns, Collaborations and Solutions 
  • Challenges and Opportunities with Emerging Technologies  

Carahsoft is a proud sponsor of this year’s Internet2 Community Exchange. As a sponsor, we are dedicated to collaborating with attendees, vendor partners and event officials to contribute our expertise to the global discussion surrounding today’s EdTech. Stay tuned to learn more about the silver package co-sponsoring partners we will be featuring along with us! 

Carahsoft’s EdTech Talks Summit 

October 1-3 | Virtual 

The 5th annual EdTech Talks Summit is Carahsoft’s premier event for K-12 and higher education professionals of all grade levels to hear from the industry’s leading EdTech vendors. Over the span of multiple days, attendees will join classroom panels, keynote assemblies and “Before the Bell” breakout sessions with interactive, audience participation in Q&As. During this event, we explore the most pressing topics within the education community such as AI, cybersecurity, data and student mental health.  

Take a look at last year’s various hard-hitting programs to get a sense of what to expect from EdTech Talks 2025: 

  • Security in Education Today: Protecting Privacy, Providing Safety, Promoting Innovation 
  • Enhance Network Security Posture with Nutanix through the E-Rate Program 
  • Professional Development and Workforce Readiness for a Lifetime of Learning 
  • Preparing the Workforce for Challenges in IoT Security 
  • Funding Digital and Physical Security 
  • How AI and Observability Solve Key IT Challenges in K-12 Education 
  • The Intersections of AI and Cybersecurity 

Looking to learn more about EdTech Talks? View our content hub to explore everything you need to know about last year’s event and how Carahsoft can support your education missions. Our team is currently gearing up to share the details with you soon, so stay tuned for more information about our great 2025 event! 

ISTELive25 

June 29-July 2 | San Antonio, TX | Hybrid Event 

Carahsoft Top Education Events Blog Embedded Image 2025

The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) is a nonprofit organization that works with the global education community to accelerate the use of technology to solve tough problems in education and inspire innovation. ISTELive is one of the most comprehensive EdTech events, where education leaders, teachers, coaches, librarians, media specialists and more can convene on the latest trends and transformations within the K-12 space. Dive into solutions that will bring positive change to the EdTech world and return to your school empowered with knowledge to meet the needs of your students and staff. 

Carahsoft is excited to be returning to ISTELive with a large booth space to help you learn everything you need to know about us and our partner’s EdTech solutions. Be sure to visit us at booth #855 to chat with a specialist about how we can support your education ecosystem.  

NJSBA Annual Workshop 

October 20-23 | Atlantic City, NJ | In-Person 

Co-sponsored by the New Jersey Association of School Administrators and the New Jersey Association of School Business Officials, the New Jersey School Boards Association plans to welcome over 6,000 school leaders from across the Garden State to the year’s most important training event. NJSBA’s Annual Workshop will feature tailored K-12 education insights, strategies and collaborative opportunities to transform and evolve their communities. Engage in professional development, illuminate dialogue, encourage interactive sessions and discover new products and solutions to share with your peers. Join Carahsoft at this great event as we celebrate public education! 

Stay tuned for event announcements and additional information on our participation in this event. We look forward to joining you at this year’s event! Curious about what else to expect? Check out highlights from NJSBA’s 2024 Workshop. Additionally, learn more about our long-standing contract with NJSBA, supporting to advance public education and promote the achievement of all students through effective governance. 

Educause Annual Conference 

October 27-30 | Nashville, TN | Hybrid Event 

Higher education technology transforms year over year. At the Educause Annual Conference, education professionals and technology providers come together to embrace this change, strive for improvement and make it a reality. Bring your ideas to share with your peers surrounding today’s toughest education challenges and brainstorm ways to solve them! Here, attendees can grow meaningful connections with industry collaborators and community members. Garner experience and knowledge within EdTech trends, innovations and tools within an array of education topics.  

Past program tracks and what you can expect at this year’s event include: 

  • Future of Work 
  • Student Experience 
  • Education Leadership 
  • Teaching and Learning 
  • Innovation and Emerging Tech 
  • Cybersecurity, Privacy and Risk Management 
  • Enterprise, Strategy, Data, Infrastructure and Support 

Carahsoft looks forward to returning to the Educause Annual Conference at booth #1050 to connect you with our partners’ cutting-edge EdTech solutions and discuss how we can help you shape the future of education for your school. We will be collaborating with Joe Toste to create podcast episodes for his show, “TechTables,”centered around the event. We will also be hosting a co-sponsored coffee corner and do not forget to join us for our happy hour event!  

CSBA AEC 

December 4-6 | Sacramento, CA | In-Person Event 

The Annual Education Conference is the California School Board Association’s premier continuing education program for K-12 that you will not want to miss! Renew your sense of purpose and commitment as an educator, teacher, board member, superintendent or support professional as you engage with peers to dive into critical conversations, compelling sessions and prime EdTech tools and solutions. This unique event offers guests the opportunity to network with leaders who can offer guidance on local-level issues, discussing how trends are impacting individual schools and communities to improve student learning and achievement. 

Past program tracks include: 

  • Access for All 
  • Digital Transformation in Education 
  • Fiscal Strategies and Accountability 
  • Student and Community Engagement 
  • Strategies and Practices of Governance 
  • Mental Health, Wellness and Student Safety 

Carahsoft is excited to be attending CSBA’s premier event this year. While we are still confirming our presence, learn more about our partnership and contracts with CSBA and how we support the Golden State’s public schools. 

Internet2 Technology Exchange 

December 8-12 | Denver, CO | In-Person Event 

Interested in speaking with technical visionaries? Excited to learn from global technology leaders? Looking for new EdTech tools backed by the education community? I2 TechEx is the event to attend for all these opportunities and more! Meet chief technologists, scientists, engineers, architects, operators and students for community-centric debates, discussions and critical dialogue surrounding topics such as generative AI, cybersecurity posture, Zero Trust, cloud solutions, policy updates, automation and more.  

Carahsoft and our reseller partners work with Internet2 to support their member community through the NET+ program, which provides a portfolio of reliable cloud and trust solutions to help higher education and research institutions solve shared technology challenges. We are still determining the specifics of our participation but are excited to confirm that Carahsoft will be present at this year’s conference! Keep an eye out for updates on how to connect with us during this premier event. 

Previous Event Highlights

CoSN’s Annual Conference 

Each year, CoSN’s Annual Conference aims to lead in education innovation, advancing the knowledge and skills of K-12 school leaders. Diving into topics like cybersecurity, student data privacy and the implementation of generative AI in schools. Attendees will gain a variety of perspectives from EdTech experts and deepen their understanding of these critical issues while exploring new strategies for addressing them. This year’s theme, Human Leadership in a World of AI, analyzed the many roles and responsibilities of IT teams within the K-12 space, foster community around the complex tool and examine best practices surrounding AI within schools.  

For the last several years, Carahsoft has been a proud sponsor of CoSN and holds an annual membership to ensure we are staying up to date on the best this event has to offer. We returned this year at booth #5, so I hoped you stopped by! Stay connected with Carahsoft as we prepare for next year’s event. 

Throughout the change and growth within the education sector this year, Carahsoft and our vendor partners are here to help institutions, organizations and Government agencies navigate it all. Join us at one of these great events to learn, experience and embrace the best the industry has to offer for the future of education technology. 

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Cyberattack Trends Impacting Local Government and Education Sectors

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Today’s cybercriminals are no longer driven solely by financial gain, the geopolitical impact of attacks has shifted with nation-state actors now targeting critical infrastructure. While Local Governments have long been a part of this, schools have also become key targets, especially after COVID-19. The pandemic’s disruption to education has left a lasting impact, making attacks on schools and Local Governments both physically and psychologically significant. These institutions, essential to society, are under siege not just for their sensitive data but for their societal importance. With advanced capabilities and financial backing, nation-state actors are accelerating their efforts, heightening the urgency for robust cybersecurity.

Why Threat Actors Target Local Government and Education

Local Governments are frequent cyberattack targets due to their political significance and the essential services they provide. When one city is attacked, neighboring cities often become hyper-vigilant, particularly smaller municipalities managing critical services like water supply. These vital functions make them high-value targets. While financial institutions are seen as obvious targets for their direct connection to money, Government agencies hold more financial value than many realize. The stakes are even higher when political positions are involved, making Local Governments attractive to financially motivated attackers and nation-state actors seeking leverage.

Lumu Technologies SLED Cyberattack Trends Blog Embedded Image 2024

Education has also become increasingly vulnerable. Schools were initially targeted for geopolitical reasons, with attackers seeking to influence the “hearts and minds” of society by disrupting education. However, cybercriminals discovered the financial value of student records, which are worth more on the dark web than credit card or healthcare information due to students not checking their credit scores. This extended window for identity theft, combined with the vast amount of data schools hold, makes educational institutions prime targets for cybercriminals.

Both Local Governments and schools face shared challenges in defending their systems. For Governments, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) networks that manage infrastructure are often isolated but still present large attack surfaces due to their distributed nature. Schools, on the other hand, struggle with the complexity of students bringing their own devices, which introduces uncontrolled entry points into the network. These vulnerabilities make Local Government and education uniquely attractive and susceptible targets in the cyber landscape.

Two Main Attack Vectors: Phishing and Infostealers

Cybercriminals use various tactics to infiltrate Local Governments and schools, exploiting both technological weaknesses and human behavior. People are often the weakest link, making them prime targets for attackers. The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has further advanced these attacks, making them more difficult to detect. While agencies and schools cannot fully eliminate the risk through training alone, understanding these evolving threats can significantly reduce the chances of successful attacks.

Phishing and information stealing are two of the most prevalent methods used by cybercriminals. Research from Lumu Technologies shows that phishing accounts for 52% of attacks, while information stealing makes up 48%, illustrating their near-equal presence as cyber threats.

Phishing

Phishing is often used to gain initial access into a network, accounting for approximately 90% of attacks. By tricking users into clicking malicious links or downloading malware, attackers establish a presence in the system. The preliminary malware allows them to move laterally, escalate privileges and locate sensitive data. Attackers either sell the data or use it to launch ransomware attacks. In ransomware scenarios, the attacker takes control of the network, encrypts critical data and issues a ransom demand. Phishing is thus the starting point for a larger chain of events leading to data theft and/or financial extortion.

Information Stealing

Infostealers are designed to capture sensitive information, often to sell on the dark web or to facilitate ransomware attacks. Like intelligence operations, they collect data to spread through an environment or identify new attack points. Keyloggers record keystrokes to capture usernames and passwords for unauthorized access. Other methods include form grabbers, which intercept forms and alter them, and browser hijackers, which mimic legitimate sites to bypass multi-factor authentication. Sensitive data from Local Government and education sectors is highly valuable, with threat actors intensifying efforts to exploit it for profit.

In addition to phishing and infostealers, cybercriminals continually find new ways to exploit technology and human behavior, such as man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks, credential stuffing and supply chain attacks. These often-overlooked attack vectors can cause significant damage to agencies and schools. Recognizing these methods is crucial for developing comprehensive defenses.

Why These Attack Methods are Successful

These attack methods succeed against Local Governments and schools due to the constantly evolving nature of cyber warfare. Like traditional warfare, attackers adapt, finding new ways in after one vulnerability is closed. Defenders must be equally dynamic.

Even with security measures like Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR), attackers find ways to bypass them. EDR relies on behavior analysis, which takes time, while attackers use advanced AI to quickly develop new methods. Local Governments and schools are often slower to adapt, giving attackers an advantage. The challenge is not just implementing security measures but continuously evolving defenses to keep up with new threats.

AI Versus AI

In the battle against evolving cyberattacks, Local Governments and schools must leverage advanced technologies like AI and automation. As attackers adopt AI to improve the sophistication and speed of attacks, defenders need equally powerful tools. Cybercriminals use AI to bypass traditional defenses, identifying weaknesses faster than humans can.

To keep up, Local Government and education sectors must deploy AI-driven systems to detect threats in real time. AI helps identify vulnerabilities, enabling proactive defense, while automation blocks threats at machine speed. For smaller institutions with limited resources, automation is especially crucial to defend against attacks effectively.

In a landscape where cyber threats continually evolve, matching the speed and sophistication of attackers is crucial for a strong cyber defense. Government agencies and educational institutions must stay vigilant, leveraging AI and automation to outpace attackers and protect the critical infrastructure and data that comprise the foundation of society.

Discover the latest trends in cyberattacks and learn how AI and automation are reshaping the fight against modern cybercriminals in Lumu Technologies’ webinar, “Emerging Cyber Attack Trends Targeting Local Government & Education.”

Carahsoft Technology Corp. is The Trusted Government IT Solutions Provider, supporting Public Sector organizations across Federal, State and Local Government agencies and Education and Healthcare markets. As the Master Government Aggregator for our vendor partners, including Lumu Technologies, we deliver solutions for Geospatial, Cybersecurity, MultiCloud, DevSecOps, Artificial Intelligence, Customer Experience and Engagement, Open Source and more. Working with resellers, systems integrators and consultants, our sales and marketing teams provide industry leading IT products, services and training through hundreds of contract vehicles. Explore the Carahsoft Blog to learn more about the latest trends in Government technology markets and solutions, as well as Carahsoft’s ecosystem of partner thought-leaders.