Renowned education technology and contemporary literacy expert David Warlick will bring his thought-provoking message to South Dakota this August. During the opening keynote of the ASBSD and SASD Convention, Warlick will challenge school board members and school administrators to re-think the common conception of how students learn.

His insights stem from decades of experience as an educator and his commitment to spreading the word about the changing face of literacy - a concept he reinforces through the ever-evolving Landmark-Project.com, a web portal he says is "dedicated to the idea that the very nature of information is changing."

Warlick works to explain how emerging technologies - cell phones, social media and video games - have altered how students gain information and communicate. But don't mistake him for a far-fetched futurist - he's a realist that focuses on how much literacy has changed since today's adults were in school.

"Part of our challenge as school leaders is to be able to tell citizens about the challenges we face and the opportunities we see in public education," said ASBSD Executive Director Wade Pogany. "David Warlick can help us articulate that message in a new and relatable way."

Warlick's opening address will kick-off the one and one-half day event, which will carry the theme Moving K-12 Education Forward. Pogany said the focus of the 2012 ASBSD andSASD Convention will help school leaders tackle the big issues that have dominated headlines and will shape South Dakota public education for the next decade.

"This is a huge moment for K-12 education in South Dakota," Pogany said. "We're facing monumental reforms, budget cutbacks and elevated public debate about the needs and direction of our public schools."

To start the convention's second day, a panel of school leaders and other experts will discuss the coming ballot initiative to restore dramatic cuts to K-12 education - a topic that Pogany believes is on the mind of every education leader in the state. He said the two organizations want to leverage the 2012 event "to equip members with the information and resources necessary to make a difference during this pivotal time."