Yes, it’s October 2025, but GRAETC is already hard at work getting ready for EdTechRVA 2026: From Parchment to Pixels–Igniting the Future.

250 years ago when our country was founded, education in most of the nation was only for the prosperous and often, even for the prosperous, only for some of the children. Technology back in 1776 was quill and ink. It would be 25 years before the next great educational technology invention came along–the wall-hung blackboard.

When Matthew Koehler and Punya Mishra first developed the TPACK framework*, they defined “technology” as any tool used by students and teachers in an educational setting: computers, interactive display boards, markers, glue sticks—you get the idea. There has always been “technology” in education, though it certainly has changed over the last two and a half centuries. What would George Washington and the founding fathers think about education today?

EdTechRVA is attended by educators, technologists, media specialists, administrators, and edtech enthusiasts from around Region 1 and beyond. At this year’s EdTechRVA conference, we will be exploring how the past has laid a foundation for the future: From Parchment to Pixels–Igniting the Future. The conference will take place on Thursday, March 12, 2026 at Reynolds Community College Parham Road Campus. The proposal submission window opens on October 15, 2025 with a submission deadline of Sunday, November 9, 2025. Registration will open in early January 2026.

How can we all contribute to igniting the future? One way is to present at EdTechRVA: From Parchment to Pixels and let central southeastern Virginia learn from you! Session types this year are 45-minute sessions and demo-slams. In the traditional 45-minute session, presenters will teach attendees about topics, strategies, or tools that they have found useful and impactful in the classroom. A demo-slam is a 5-minute presentation about a very narrow topic. All demo-slam participants will present during one session. Presenters receive early registration at a reduced cost and a special presenter’s gift in addition to the full conference experience.

The Call for Proposals site is now live! Click here to access the form and ignite Region 1 with knowledge and passion. We look forward to hearing from YOU!

*The TPACK Framework establishes the connection between Technology, Pedagogy, and Content Knowledge. To learn more about TPACK, click here.