The March 2026 virtual meeting of the Southside Virginia Regional Technology Consortium (SVRTC) brought together educational technology leaders from across the region for a session centered on innovative learning environments, upcoming initiatives, and collaborative planning for the future. Representatives from a range of SVRTC school divisions were in attendance, including Buckingham County Public Schools, Nottoway County Public Schools, Appomattox County Public Schools, Lunenburg County Public Schools, Prince Edward County Public Schools, Dinwiddie County Public Schools, Franklin City Public Schools, Brunswick County Public Schools, Cumberland County Public Schools, Mecklenburg County Public Schools, Petersburg City Public Schools, Hopewell City Public Schools, and Longwood University.
A highlight of the meeting was a presentation from Molly Armine-Holston, who shared insights on designing effective learning environments through the intentional integration of physical space, technology, and instructional design. Drawing on her 17 years of experience in education, Molly encouraged participants to reflect on what makes learning spaces impactful and how classroom design can either support or hinder student engagement and instruction.
Molly emphasized the importance of flexibility in classroom layouts, highlighting the benefits of mobile furniture and adaptable seating arrangements that promote collaboration and active participation. She also explored key considerations for digital learning environments, including visibility, interactivity, and accessibility. Tools such as digital signage, interactive displays, and platforms like Vivi and LU Mobile were discussed as ways to enhance communication and engagement across a variety of learning spaces.
Throughout the presentation, Molly reinforced that meaningful innovation does not always require large-scale overhauls. Instead, she encouraged divisions to start with small, strategic changes—such as pilot programs or repurposing existing technology—to gradually build more effective and engaging learning environments.
Following the presentation, ITTIP staff shared updates on upcoming programs and initiatives. Members were informed about summer opportunities, including STEM camps for elementary students and a computer science camp focused on artificial intelligence. Elizabeth Kirk also introduced early planning for a potential Virginia Children’s Engineering Council (VCEC) and SVRTC collaborative workshop scheduled for October, aimed at supporting elementary and middle school educators.
Kyle Kayhart provided updates on upcoming consortium activities, including the August 26 Region 8 AI Summit, with additional details and registration information to be shared in the coming months. He also outlined the process for upcoming SVRTC chairperson elections, noting that nominations would be collected via email, followed by a voting period to determine leadership for the next term.
The meeting concluded with a collaborative discussion around artificial intelligence policies across member divisions. Participants were encouraged to share their current guidelines and approaches, with Jason Crabtree of Prince Edward County Public Schools offering to distribute their recently approved AI policy. Additional members also expressed interest in sharing resources, reinforcing SVRTC’s commitment to collaboration and shared learning.
The meeting concluded with a reminder for members to stay engaged in upcoming initiatives, including opportunities to participate in planning committees and contribute to updates of the SVRTC strategic plan.
