FETC, VR & Cybersecurity: What’s Next for K–12 Tech? with Jennifer Womble
Welcome to Episode 17 of Zero Breach Zone, in this episode hosts Phil Hintz and Andy Lombardo are joined by Jennifer Womble, a trailblazer in the EdTech community and the visionary Program Chair of the Future of Education Technology Conference (FETC). Jennifer brings her passion for amplifying educator voices and designing meaningful professional development experiences to the table.
Together, they dive into the evolution of FETC from a regional event to a nationally recognized EdTech hub, explore the rise of cybersecurity awareness in schools, and discuss the transformative role of VR and data privacy in the future of education.
Whether you're a classroom teacher, tech leader, or EdTech partner, this conversation will leave you inspired to rethink community, security, and innovation in education.
Key Takeaways:
Together, they dive into the evolution of FETC from a regional event to a nationally recognized EdTech hub, explore the rise of cybersecurity awareness in schools, and discuss the transformative role of VR and data privacy in the future of education.
Whether you're a classroom teacher, tech leader, or EdTech partner, this conversation will leave you inspired to rethink community, security, and innovation in education.
Key Takeaways:
- Jennifer Womble highlights the power of amplifying diverse voices in education
- Jennifer's story with FETC since 1994 & how the conference has grown to serve a international audiences while staying rooted in innovation
- Why cybersecurity is no longer optional & how it's central to K–12 leadership conversations
- FETC 2026 priorities & why networking & community are as valuable as the sessions themselves
- Intentionality in conference design boosts engagement and impact - ie designing conferences for professional and human needs
- Why students must be part of the cybersecurity conversation
- The promise of VR in classrooms is already becoming a reality
- Data privacy remains a top priority as schools adopt more tech & educating students is the next step
- Parting Tool: Lucyd Glasses & Otis AI
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to EdTech and Jennifer Womble
03:01 Jennifer's Journey in Education
06:09 The Evolution of FETC
09:02 Building a National EdTech Community
11:56 Cybersecurity in Education
14:58 Creating a Collaborative Learning Environment
18:00 Intentionality in Conference Design
21:04 Engaging Students in Cybersecurity Awareness
23:31 The Importance of Cybersecurity Education
24:54 Engaging Students in Cybersecurity
26:56 Understanding Cyber Threats
28:43 Data Privacy and Student Awareness
30:07 Innovative Tools for Educators
32:42 Experiential Learning in VR
37:21 FETC Insights and Opportunities
00:00 Introduction to EdTech and Jennifer Womble
03:01 Jennifer's Journey in Education
06:09 The Evolution of FETC
09:02 Building a National EdTech Community
11:56 Cybersecurity in Education
14:58 Creating a Collaborative Learning Environment
18:00 Intentionality in Conference Design
21:04 Engaging Students in Cybersecurity Awareness
23:31 The Importance of Cybersecurity Education
24:54 Engaging Students in Cybersecurity
26:56 Understanding Cyber Threats
28:43 Data Privacy and Student Awareness
30:07 Innovative Tools for Educators
32:42 Experiential Learning in VR
37:21 FETC Insights and Opportunities