2026 UEN Tech Summit

We will include a fiber installation demo, including scoping and cleaning. We will also show options to organize cable runs and clean up equipment racks.

We plan to have an equipment rack on-site to show best practices, and also some options on cleaning kits with information on where they can be purchased.

Discover how to solve almost any technical issues correctly the first time using the split-half method. Hear relatable anecdotes from the tech trenches, and explore practical strategies to stop guessing and start fixing 'glitches' efficiently.

Have you ever faced a classroom technology issue and had no idea where to start? In this classroom-style session, we will learn how to translate a user's vague “glitch” into a tangible issue with an actionable solution by using the split-half troubleshooting method. This highly efficient, logical approach is used by IT professionals to isolate and resolve problems by systematically eliminating half of the potential causes at a time. Using relatable and sometimes humorous anecdotes from the tech trenches, you will learn how to apply this binary search logic to everyday classroom tech issues, transforming tech-induced panic into calm, methodical problem-solving

This applicant‑focused session covers FY2026 E‑Rate application updates, current guidance, and helpful resources, with a look ahead to FY2027 & FY2028 planning (New Bidding Portal intro), UETN consortium readiness, and potential use of ESMC. Don’t know what ESMC is? Drop in and find out.

The E‑Rate landscape continues to evolve, sometimes as quickly as the weather in Utah. This session will provide timely updates on the current status of FY2026 E‑Rate applications while looking ahead to what applicants can expect as they prepare for FY2027. Attendees will be introduced to emerging resources, tools, and guidance designed to support Utah E‑Rate applicants through the upcoming funding year. We will review recent news, policy developments, and noteworthy events impacting the E‑Rate program, with a focus on what these changes mean in practical terms for schools and libraries. The presentation will also include a status update on the UETN E‑Rate Consortium, highlighting current preparations and strategic considerations for FY2027. Time permitting, we will explore anticipated or potential use of ESMC in the FY2027 application process and discuss best practices for adapting to ongoing program changes. Because E‑Rate guidance and timelines can shift, this session is designed to be responsive and current, ensuring participants walk away with the most relevant information available at the time of the Summit.

Use readily available tools to restore Macs and enroll them in Platform SSO

As schools face new 2026 legal requirements for differentiated content filtering and transparent parental reporting, the "Identity" of the user at the system level has never been more critical. This session provides a deep dive into a reliable, repeatable workflow for restoring Macs and preparing them for the next generation of authentication: Platform SSO. Using readily available tools—including MacDVM, Apple Configurator, and iMazing Profile Editor—we will walk through the technical steps to move a device from a blank slate to a fully enrolled, identity-aware workstation. With ClassLink’s launch of Platform SSO capabilities this month, we will discuss how this shift simplifies the user experience while providing the granular data needed to meet modern compliance standards. Whether you are a Tech Director planning for the new school year or a SysAdmin looking to sharpen your deployment toolkit, this session offers a practical roadmap for the "Modern Mac" in K-12.

Training somebody the right way once is better than training them the wrong way five times. Sounds ridiculous, but it happens more often than you think.

Training somebody the right way once is better than training them the wrong way five times. It’s hard to believe, but you may be surprised how often you are actually doing that. Through years of experience, we found that it was the case for our summer IT intern program. We would train them for two days, then deploy them to the field, only to find they didn’t learn certain necessary skills or important workflows, and we had to train them repeatedly. This cost time and energy throughout the summer, which could have been spent in a productive manner. All of this led to standardizing workflows and summer processes across the Field Technicians group, and to a better intern training program that makes training more successful and meaningful from day one. Join us as we tell you how we used entertaining AND educational videos and reference material to train our new fleet of interns.

This session highlights findings from the 2025 Utah School Technology Inventory, marking 10 years of statewide data collection. It includes new insights on artificial intelligence (AI) in K–12 education, with trends in policy, training, infrastructure, and how data supports strategic planning and decision-making.

This session explores how Utah’s 10-year Technology Inventory captures AI adoption, policy gaps, and infrastructure challenges across schools. Participants will review key findings, discuss implications for policy and practice, and engage in guided reflection on applying data to support AI integration and planning. https://www.uen.org/schooltech/