May Tech Integration Update: Summer Learning, Digital Wellness, AI Conversations, and EdTech Inspiration

As the school year winds down, May is the perfect time to look ahead, reflect on what we’ve learned, and make plans for summer professional learning. This month’s Tech Integration Newsletter highlights several opportunities and resources for educators, including Lake ECMECC registration, the call for presenters, new conversations in educational technology, digital wellness resources, AI learning opportunities, and a few creative tools worth exploring.

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Make Lake ECMECC Your Summer PD Priority

The 13th Annual Lake ECMECC Conference is coming up on August 4, 2026, at Mora High School, and registration is now open. This free professional development opportunity for ECMECC member district employees brings together educators from across the region to learn, share, connect, and recharge before the next school year begins.

Lake ECMECC continues to be one of the best ways for educators to discover practical classroom strategies, earn CEUs, reconnect with colleagues, and build new professional relationships. The conference is designed around the idea that some of the best professional learning comes from educators sharing directly with other educators.

That is also why we are still looking for presenters. If you have a tool, strategy, lesson idea, workflow, classroom success story, or instructional approach that others could benefit from, consider submitting a proposal. You do not have to be a “tech expert” to present. You just need something useful to share.

Digital Wellness Over Device Bans

One of the big ideas featured this month is the need to move beyond simple “screen time” conversations. In K–12 education, not all screen use is the same. Smartphones and social media, screen-based entertainment, and purposeful educational technology all carry different risks and opportunities.

When all screen use gets lumped together, it can make it harder to have productive conversations about how technology can support learning. Students do need guidance, boundaries, and support, but they also need opportunities to build healthy digital habits.

The newsletter points to CoSN’s work around digital wellness and the Screen Time Toolkit, which includes resources such as presentations, infographics, quick facts, self-reflection tools, and EdTech audits. These resources can help schools and families have more constructive conversations about technology use at school and at home.

CoSN’s 2026 State of EdTech Report

CoSN’s 2026 U.S. State of EdTech Report also gets a spotlight this month. A few key findings stand out:

Cybersecurity remains essential for creating safe learning environments. Artificial intelligence continues to grow in importance, with more than 75% of districts now reporting that they have AI guidelines in place. Instructional technology support also remains a challenge, with nearly 60% of districts reporting that they are understaffed in this area.

For those of us working in school technology and instructional support, these findings probably feel familiar. They also reinforce the importance of regional collaboration, shared learning, and professional development opportunities like Lake ECMECC.

Integrate This! Conversations Continue Through the Summer

The Integrate This! podcast will keep rolling through the summer with new conversations featuring voices from across the EdTech field. Recent and upcoming guests include Matt Miller, Thomas Riddle, Aman Sahota, Keith Krueger, Tim Needles, Nneka McGee, Stephanie Howell, Dr. Catlin Tucker, Dr. Candice Odgers, Donna Roper, and Sean Beaverson.

New episodes drop every Thursday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and the YouTube channel is also available for those who prefer to watch. Summer can be a great time to catch up on episodes, explore new ideas, and find inspiration for the year ahead.

Minnesota AI Thought Leaders Summit

Another summer learning opportunity highlighted this month is the 3rd Annual Minnesota AI Thought Leaders Summit, happening June 15–16 at Apollo High School in St. Cloud.

This event invites K–12 educators, policymakers, business and industry leaders, and community partners to think together about the future of learning in the AI era. The focus is on designing learning experiences through a human-centered lens while keeping safety, ethics, and human agency at the center.

For educators and leaders who are helping shape AI use in schools, this could be a valuable opportunity to learn, connect, and contribute to the larger statewide conversation.

EdTech Potpourri: A Few Resources Worth Exploring

The May newsletter wraps up with a collection of useful tools and resources.

First, Kasey Bell from Shake Up Learning has shared an AI-powered end-of-year checklist for teachers. This printable resource includes suggested AI prompts to help with classroom clean-up, student reflection, parent communication, and planning ahead.

Another featured resource explores the environmental impact of generative AI. Joe Starkey, Assistant Director of Technology for Minnehaha Academy, recently shared a presentation with the Minnesota Generative AI Alliance that puts AI’s environmental footprint into context alongside everyday school activities such as lunch menus, printing, and commuting.

Finally, the newsletter highlights Constellation Draw, a creative tool that allows users to create and name their own constellations. Students can explore the night sky, connect stars, and design original constellations. This could become a fun cross-curricular activity connecting science, social studies, and language arts by having students create a constellation and then write the mythology behind it.

Looking Ahead

May is always a busy month in schools, but it is also a great time to plant seeds for summer learning and future classroom ideas. Whether you register for Lake ECMECC, submit a presenter proposal, explore digital wellness resources, catch up on podcast episodes, or try a new classroom tool, there are plenty of opportunities to keep learning and growing.

As the school year comes to a close, take time to celebrate the work you have done, reflect on what you have learned, and look ahead to the possibilities waiting this summer.