WiscNet MiniConnections is, at its heart, a smaller version of your annual membership conference, WiscNet Connections, but it isn’t just that -- it’s part of our ongoing effort to help you connect, support, and learn with one another, community by community. MiniConnections reminds us that we’re part of something bigger.
Madison WiscNet MiniConnections Agenda
8:00 - 8:30 am
Breakfast and Networking
———
8:30 - 8:45 am
Mini Welcome
———
8:45 - 9:15 am
Mini Roundtable: Start Small with Artificial Intelligence
Presented by John Pederson, WiscNet
Find one useful application in your everyday work. Artificial intelligence can feel like a very big idea. This 30-minute interactive session makes it smaller. You’ll identify one specific part of your work where artificial intelligence might help -- drafting, organizing, explaining, summarizing, or getting unstuck -- and shape it into a practical application worth exploring. You’ll consider the task, the result you want, and where human judgment needs to stay in charge. Leave with one small idea you can test and a clearer way to spot other useful applications. The ideas that surface here will help seed the later governance session.
———
9:15 - 10 am
Presentation session: Taking Network Management to the Cloud
Presented by Mike Van Slambrouck, Elk Mound Area School District
This past summer, Information Technology Director Mike Van Slambrouck transitioned Elk Mound Area School District from an onsite controller-based Wi-Fi network and onsite managed switches to a cloud-managed solution with Aruba Central, along with restructuring the network for better visibility and control utilizing WiscNet's managed next-generation firewall and migrated to Scale Computing -- in three weeks' time. A needed hardware update prompted the switch to Aruba Central, giving his team more visibility across the network and granular ability to control access. Mike will walk through what the switch-over was like, how he decided on the vendor, and the AI-driven analytics now available that make suggestions for cost savings and other efficiencies. He’ll also talk about his role with CESA 10 in helping Wisconsin schools with advanced technology needs such as, including support for server migrations, complete network rollouts, troubleshooting, and monitoring.
———
10 - 10:15 am
Break
———
10:15 - 10:45 am
Presentation session: TBD
———
10:45 - 11:45 am
Interactive Session: Build Practical Artificial Intelligence Guardrails
Presented by John Pederson, WiscNet
Turn small applications into shared agreements. Responsible artificial intelligence governance does not have to begin with a perfect policy. It can begin with the real choices people make in everyday work. In this interactive session, you’ll examine small artificial intelligence applications -- including ideas surfaced earlier in the day -- and work with peers to turn what you learn into practical agreements. Together, you’ll decide what responsible use should encourage, where human review is required, what information needs protection, and how your agreements should evolve as experience grows. Leave with a set of practical guardrails that your organization can continue to develop.
———
11:45 - 12:45 pm
Lunch
———
12:45 - 1:30 pm
Presentation session: Effectively and Affordably Connecting and Cybersecuring WiscNet Members
Presented by Heidi Genthner, WiscNet
Truth: Many WiscNet members work with very limited technology budgets. Myth: Those members can’t afford robust connectivity and cybersecurity technology because of those tight budget constraints. In this session, you’ll learn ways to stretch thin resources while still implementing measures that are of the utmost importance in keeping your organization connected and your network secure. You’ll leave with information about WiscNet’s E-Rate Category 1-eligible services, connectivity solutions, affordable cybersecurity options, and the WiscNet Membership’s collective purchasing power. This session will also cover the ways in which being a member of the WiscNet community saves you time and money. (For example: Did you know that if you’re a WiscNet member, you automatically have a virtual Chief Information Security Officer available for weekly, personalized support?) Attend this session to learn how to stretch your technology budget by taking advantage of these opportunities that don’t break the bank.
———
1:30-2:45 pm
Roundtable: What's Working, What's Not Working, and What's Next?
Facilitated by Andie Behling, WiscNet
As technology and member needs continue to evolve, this roundtable is an opportunity for WiscNet members to discuss what’s happening in their organizations, what’s working, where they’re getting stuck, and what they’re thinking about next. The conversation is intentionally broad: bring a challenge, an idea, a question, or something others could learn from. Connect with peers, compare experiences, and help shape conversations WiscNet should continue with members.
———
2:45- 3 pm
Takeaways & Closing Thoughts