Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

The Technological Transition

Digital technology is everywhere in education, and it’s ingrained in virtually every aspect of the planning, operation and management of America’s 130,000-odd schools. It would be ridiculous to think of designing a new school construction without taking the needs of digital technologies into consideration, from networking and wireless to audiovisual equipment to physical security.

Or to think of managing staff and resources without ERP.

Or to think of daily classroom activities without taking into consideration mobility and new technology-driven teaching modalities.

We’ve also been thinking along these lines here at 1105 Media, which is School Planning & Management’s parent company. Previously, our education publications were divided into two groups — the Ed Tech Group and the Spaces4Learning Group. But we recently merged these two operations with the idea of bringing expanded technology coverage to School Planning & Management (SP&M) and our sister publication College Planning & Management (CP&M).

The new group, simply called the Education Group, now consists of SP&M, CP&M, Spaces4Learning, THE Journal, Campus Technology and STEAM Universe, with me as editorial director.

One of the unplanned parts of that move was the retirement of longtime SP&M Editor-in-Chief Jerry Enderle. As our readers are well aware, Jerry had done a fantastic job with SP&M over the years. It now falls on me, as editorial director, to keep up the work he had been doing so well for so long and to move that forward with expanded technology coverage and a new emphasis on technology in our own publications.

More on that in the coming months.

For now, I ask that you, our readers, work with me the way that you worked so long with Jerry, offering your expert input, your ideas, your writing, your support. I’ve met many of you in this sector already at trade shows, and the experience so far has been extremely positive. I look forward to meeting many more of you in the coming years. Please reach out to me at [email protected]. I hope to talk with you soon!

This article originally appeared in the School Planning & Management July/August 2019 issue of Spaces4Learning.

About the Author

David Nagel is the former editorial director of 1105 Media's Education Group and editor-in-chief of THE Journal, STEAM Universe, and Spaces4Learning. A 30-year publishing veteran, Nagel has led or contributed to dozens of technology, art, marketing, media, and business publications.

He can be reached at [email protected]. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidrnagel/ .


Featured

  • Moline-Coal Valley School District to Consolidate Two Schools into New Facility

    The Moline-Coal Valley School District in Moline, Ill., recently broke ground on a new elementary school that will consolidate the students and staff from two existing schools, according to local news. Robert Ontiveros Elementary School will serve as the new home for Lincoln-Irving Elementary School and Willard Elementary School.

  • Can AI Help Build Stronger Communities in Student Housing?

    Student housing success is shifting from operational performance to student experience, with belonging now at the center. A recent 2025 report underscores a growing emphasis on student well-being, community, and engagement, signaling that expectations now extend beyond logistics to ensure students feel supported in their living environments. AI is enabling that shift by reducing administrative workload and giving teams more time to focus on meaningful student engagement.

  • Pitzer College

    Designing for Change in Higher Ed Learning Environments

    Higher education will continue to evolve, and learning environments must evolve with it. By prioritizing adaptable infrastructure, thoughtful reuse, strong energy performance, and wellness-centered design, campuses can create spaces that support learning today while remaining flexible for the future.

  • Cal Poly Humboldt Starts Construction on Healthcare Education Hub

    California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt in Arcata, Calif., recently announced that work has begun on a renovation project that will turn the Stewart Building into a new Healthcare Education Hub, according to a news release. The university is partnering with Sundt Construction Inc. for construction services.