‘Purposeful Technology, Powerful Learning’ Features K-12 School Districts Nationwide Using Technology to Expand Opportunity, Advance Learning, and Prepare Students for the Future

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — October 8, 2026 — CoSN — The Consortium for School Networking today announced the release of Purposeful Technology, Powerful Learning: You Can’t Ban Possibility, a new book by CoSN Board Chair Stacy Hawthorne, Ed.D., CETL®, that examines how K-12 school districts across the country are using education technology purposefully to enhance teaching and learning.

Drawing on stories from 13 school districts in communities large and small, urban and rural, Purposeful Technology, Powerful Learning explores how educators are using technology to address real-world challenges, create new opportunities for students, and support learning in ways that would otherwise not be possible. Each chapter pairs a district’s story with peer-reviewed research, documented outcomes, workforce alignment, and practical implementation guidance designed to help other school systems adapt and replicate successful practices.

“As debates about screen time and technology use continue across the country, we risk losing sight of an important distinction: not all screen use is the same,” said Stacy Hawthorne, CoSN Board Chair and author of the book. “This book is built around a simple idea that purpose matters. The educators and students featured in these pages started with real challenges and used technology to create opportunities that otherwise would not have been possible. Those are the stories I wanted parents, educators, and policymakers to see.”

“This book offers an important reframe of the screen-time debate, moving the conversation from the quantity of technology students use to the quality of learning experiences technology makes possible,” said Keith Krueger, CEO of CoSN. “The stories documented here show that successful technology initiatives begin with a learning challenge or opportunity, not a device. They also demonstrate how thoughtful implementation, strong instructional practices, and clear guardrails can help technology become a powerful tool for teaching and learning.”

The book highlights examples including:

  • Students helping develop district policies governing the use of artificial intelligence.
  • A rural district bringing robotics, 3D printers, and virtual reality to students across a 1,200-square-mile community.
  • Educators using virtual reality to help emergent bilingual students engage with complex science concepts.
  • Students on four continents using technology to write, rehearse, and perform music together.
  • Students using maker labs to design, print, engrave, and build real-world projects.

The release comes as states and communities continue to examine policies related to technology use in schools. Rather than framing technology as inherently positive or negative, the book focuses on the conditions under which technology can support meaningful and transformative learning experiences.

The launch of Purposeful Technology, Powerful Learning is part of CoSN’s broader work to help educators, district leaders, and policymakers make informed decisions about the role of technology in K-12 education. CoSN’s Purposeful Education Technology initiative provides additional resources, research, and toolkits designed to demonstrate what effective technology use looks like in practice and help education leaders implement technology in ways that advance learning, protect students, and respond to the needs of their local communities.

Learn more about Purposeful Technology, Powerful Learning and CoSN’s Purposeful Education Technology work at www.cosn.org/purposeful-edtech.

About CoSN
CoSN, the world-class professional association for K-12 education technology leaders, stands at the forefront of education innovation. We are driven by a mission to equip current and aspiring K-12 education technology leaders, their teams, and school districts with the community, knowledge, and professional development they need to cultivate engaging learning environments. Our vision is rooted in a future where every learner reaches their unique potential, guided by our community. CoSN represents over 2,000 school districts and 14 million students and continues to grow as a powerful and influential voice in K-12 education. www.cosn.org