SXSWEDU

Regardless of one’s nationality, ethnicity and/or social class, everyone is familiar with, and has knowledge of, hip hop. Yet, hip hop culture, which is youth culture, is stigmatized, marginalized and prohibited from school settings. If youth culture is deemed irrelevant, does that affect their academic achievement and their self worth? Is there a correlation to the high school graduation rate? This panel includes teachers, professors, and popular rappers who will pose this essential question: Can hip hop’s presence in social media and pop culture be leveraged to prepare students for careers and college?

SXSWedu Launch is a fast-paced, live startup competition for education entrepreneurs designed to highlight emerging innovations impacting the world of teaching and learning. Ten early-stage education startups have been selected to compete in the fifth annual Launch competition. While these startups vary in location, mission, structure and the challenges they hope to solve, they all share a passion and desire to create positive change in education. All ten Launch 2016 finalists will take a turn pitching their education startup to the judging panel and live audience in this fast-paced kickoff to the competition.

The Playground provides a destination for attendees to explore, discover, participate and learn with like-minded individuals. Fueled by innovation through discovery, the Playground hosts a number of educational pursuits highlighting maker, STEM, gaming, virtual learning, accessibility, arts integration and more. Visit sxswedu.com/Playground to learn more.

Eva Moskowitz, John Katzman, Nina Rees and Richard Whitmire Education reform means different things to different people but, after eight years of Obama, we were pretty sure what we were talking about. No one knows for sure what a new President will bring to the pace, guidelines or definitions of K-12 education reform. We’ll examine the possibilities and probabilities of reform post-Obama. About SXSWedu The SXSWedu® Conference & Festival fosters innovation in learning by hosting a passionate and diverse community of education stakeholders. The seventh annual SXSWedu will return to Austin, March 6-9, 2017, for four days of compelling sessions, in-depth workshops, engaging learning experiences, mentorship, film screenings, startup events, policy-centered discussions, business opportunities, networking and so much more! Through collaboration, creativity and social action, SXSWedu empowers its global community to connect, discover and impact. SXSWedu is a component of the South by Southwest® (SXSW®) family of conferences and festivals. Internationally recognized as the convergence gathering for creative professionals, SXSWedu extends SXSW’s support for the art of engagement to include society’s true rock stars: educators! Connect with SXSWedu Online at: Visit the SXSWedu website: http://sxswedu.com/ Follow SXSWedu on Twitter: https://twitter.com/sxswedu Like SXSWedu on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sxswedu/

Sarah Elizabeth Lewis, SXSWedu 2017 Keynote, Creativity & Social Justice About SXSWedu The SXSWedu® Conference & Festival fosters and celebrates innovations in learning by hosting a diverse and energetic community of stakeholders across a variety of backgrounds in education. The annual four-day event affords registrants open access to engaging sessions, immersive workshops, interactive learning experiences, film screenings, early-stage startups, business opportunities and networking. Through collaboration, creativity and social action, SXSWedu empowers its global community to Connect. Discover. Impact. SXSWedu is a component of the South by Southwest® family of conferences and festivals. Connect with SXSWedu Online at: Visit the SXSWedu website: http://sxswedu.com/ Follow SXSWedu on Twitter: https://twitter.com/sxswedu Like SXSWedu on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sxswedu/

Brené Brown, SXSWedu 2017 Keynote, Daring Classrooms We need to understand how scarcity affects the way we lead and teach, we have to engage with vulnerability and we need to learn how to recognize and combat shame. What would it mean for our schools and classrooms if we showed up for tough, honest conversations about what it takes to bring our best, most authentic selves to work? These conversations may sound risky and vulnerable, but risk and vulnerability are essential to courageous schools. A daring classroom is a place where both teachers and students commit to choosing courage over comfort, choosing what is right over what is fun, fast or easy and practicing values rather than professing them. About SXSWedu The SXSWedu® Conference & Festival fosters and celebrates innovations in learning by hosting a diverse and energetic community of stakeholders across a variety of backgrounds in education. The annual four-day event affords registrants open access to engaging sessions, immersive workshops, interactive learning experiences, film screenings, early-stage startups, business opportunities and networking. Through collaboration, creativity and social action, SXSWedu empowers its global community to Connect. Discover. Impact. SXSWedu is a component of the South by Southwest® family of conferences and festivals. Connect with SXSWedu Online at: Visit the SXSWedu website: http://sxswedu.com/ Follow SXSWedu on Twitter: https://twitter.com/sxswedu Like SXSWedu on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sxswedu/

SXSWedu 2015 Featured Session Empowering Girls and Women to Lead Shiza Shahid, Malala Fund Co-Founder Caroline Howard, Forbes, Sr Online Editor Sixty six million girls around the world are out of school. Without education, they are trapped in a cycle of poverty. Driven by the work of recent Nobel Peace Prize Winner Malala Yousafzai, the Malala Fund aims to stop the cycle by empowering girls to achieve their potential through education. This session will highlight the importance of empowering young girls and women to lead through the lens of the Malala Fund. Learn more at http://sxswedu.com/

Engaging Millennials to Support Education at SXSW EDU 2018, featuring Nnamdi Asomugha and Derrick Feldmann, discuss the current state of education and how a generation can support educational advancement for all of America’s youth. Visit https://www.sxswedu.com/ to learn more about SXSW EDU and subscribe to SXSW EDU on YouTube for more great videos https://www.youtube.com/user/SXSWEDU. – – – “Engaging Millennials to Support Education” Video Overview: Education is the cornerstone of success and in order to help people succeed they need access to quality education, regardless of their socioeconomic standing. In this discussion, Nnamdi Asomugha and Derrick Feldmann will discuss the current state of education and how a generation can support educational advancement for all of America’s youth. Nnamdi Asomugha is an actor, producer, philanthropist and former All-Pro NFL Player. Following a successful 11 year career in the NFL, Asomugha channeled his passion for film and television into a career in the entertainment industry. Asomugha has consistently used his platform to enact positive change in the community, and with his family established The Asomugha Foundation in 2010, a 501c(3) whose mission is to positively impact disadvantaged youth in the U.S. and underprivileged orphans and widows in Africa through education and empowerment. As part of the foundation, Asomugha established ACTS (Asomugha College Tour for Scholars) a mentorship program through which he annually takes a group of high-achieving high school students from underprivileged communities on a week-long trip to a different US city, to visit local colleges and universities. He has been honored for his philanthropic work with the NFL Players Association’s Man of the Year Award, The Jefferson Award for Public Service, and the President’s Volunteer Service Award, to name a few. Derrick Feldmann is an entrepreneur and sought-after speaker, researcher, author and advisor on cause engagement. He founded Achieve to help organizations address pressing issues through strategic, data-driven fundraising and awareness campaigns. He is creator/lead researcher of the Millennial Impact Project, a multi-year study of how millennials supports causes, and creator/producer of MCON, a national annual conference exploring how organizations turn engagement into movements. Derrick co-authored Cause for Change: The Why and How of Nonprofit Millennial Engagement and Social Movements For Good: How Companies and Causes Create Viral Change, contributes to Philanthropy News Digest and Huffington Post, and serves on the Leadership Faculty of the Points of Light Corporate Institute.

Fundraising While Millennial: Strategies & Secrets at SXSW EDU 2018, featuring Caroline Howard, Xiaohoa Michelle Ching, Evin Robinson, and Logan Cohen, share why they started, how to pitch and land funding and how to leverage that money into impact. Visit https://www.sxswedu.com/ to learn more about SXSW EDU and subscribe to SXSW EDU on YouTube for more great videos https://www.youtube.com/user/SXSWEDU. – – – “Fundraising While Millennial: Strategies & Secrets”” Video Overview: Three young rock star founders of successful nonprofit and private education startups on why they started, how to pitch and land funding and how to leverage that money into impact.

LeVar Burton has been capturing the attention of fans and industry peers alike for the past three decades. Whether acting, directing, producing or writing, Burton has achieved success not only in television and film, but also in the online and social-networking space.

Using Technology to Make Learning Personal The hype around the use technology to “transform” traditional learning is everywhere and exhausting. Ironically, what technology might be best used for is to enable what we’ve long known works well in teaching and learning: engagement. It also might be best used to help stimulate what we’ve long known is a key to student success: academic tenacity. Most of all, all this technology might actually make learning more personal, optimizing our face to face time with students. Come join a conversion about all of this and more as we explore the strategic use of data analytics, digital curricular curation, “flip” models, competency-based progression, and more.

A robust platform for the community to connect, collaborate, create and change how we teach and learn- SXSWedu is quickly gaining a reputation as a catalyst for change in education. The event welcomes the professionals making up the many different facets of the education ecosystem. Education stakeholders and practitioners of all backgrounds– including teachers, administrators, university professors and business and policy leaders– with the passion and commitment to create a better tomorrow make up the SXSWedu community.

Arne Duncan was nominated to be secretary of education by President Barack Obama and was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Jan. 20, 2009. Prior to his appointment as Secretary of Education, Duncan served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Chicago Public Schools, a position to which he was appointed by Mayor Richard M. Daley, from June 2001 through December 2008, becoming the longest-serving big-city education superintendent in the country.

The Power of Open: Creative Commons Licensing and its Global Impact This session will explore the role of “Open” in the world of content and learning. What is open licensing? How does “Openness” differ from online learning in general? What are the potential policy impacts of openness? How can openly licensed data on student learning impact feedback loops and improvement cycles? What are the latest developments in open licensing that hold promise for significant impact on teaching and learning?

Delivered by Distinguished Speaker Darline Robles, Professor at the University of Southern California. There’s a rising voice calling to our educators across the nation; it seeks access to the American dream; it seeks equity with other children; it seeks to speak into our future in new, daring, and exciting ways. Will we listen? Will we change? Will we embrace the change? For educators and educational entrepreneurs looking into the future of K-12 schools in America, Dr. Darline Robles will offer new insight into the “rising voice” of the Latino majority minority, which is even now entering kindergartens across the nation. Many of us already know the challenges inherent in closing the achievement gap, or effectively reaching English Learners. But can we say that we are truly culturally proficient? Are we developing the kinds of solutions they need to become engaged, informed and effective citizens? And in this new generation sweeping through our nation’s schools, are there echoes of the past—stories of success and equality—that can bring us hope, and guide us toward a brighter future?

Delivered by Distinguished Speaker Alan Gershenfeld, President of E-Line Media. Computer and video games have emerged as one of the most powerful mediums of the 21st century, generating billions of hours of highly engaged entertainment. A growing body of research is also highlighting the enormous potential of games and game-infused experiences to be a key driver of innovation in addressing some of the most pressing social, cultural, scientific and economic challenges of the 21st Century. Recognizing this potential, many leading foundations, academic institutions and government agencies are investing hundreds of millions of dollars to harness the power of the medium to further their learning, health, and social impact goals There is, however, a big gap between the potential for games to make a positive impact and the reality that most impact game projects struggle to transition from promising research pilots to meaningful, sustained impact at scale. This session will explore methodologies for closing this gap.

Delivered by Distinguished Speaker Maria Carstarphen, Austin Independent School District Superintendent. As the face of public education changes, educators must meet students where they are to prepare for the future—today. The Austin Independent School District serves more than 86,000 students amid changing demographics: Two out of three are from economically disadvantaged families; one in three is learning English; and one in 10 is in special education. For some, AISD is a high-quality pipeline to college and success. For others, AISD is their first connection with the U.S. education system. Serving this range of students in a competitive environment requires honest dialogue and innovative partnerships—from college-preparatory initiatives to Spanish-language, educational programs. Join Superintendent Meria Carstarphen to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing urban school districts through the lens of AISD, which is bringing its diverse communities together to strengthen support for all students. Learn about culturally relevant strategies to authentically engage communities and meet families where they are today—with a keen eye on the future.

Delivered by Distinguished Speaker Jim Shelton, Assistant Deputy Secretary at the US Dept. of Education. The U.S. and the world are facing increasingly complex issues and challenges, both of man and nature, that seem to be beyond the imaginations and even well-intentioned efforts of this and the last generation. This seems to be a part of the human condition, which is why Robert F. Kennedy gave timeless advice, “…rely on youth…not a time of life but a state of mind, a temper of will, a quality of imagination, a predominance of courage over timidity, of the appetite for adventure over the love of ease…” The question is how can we unlock the latent human potential that exists in this and every country and use it to overcome some of our grandest challenges.

Delivered by Distinguished Speaker Jaime Casap, Senior Education Evangelist at Google. The web has integrated into our daily lives. This is extraordinary considering that it happened in just a short number of years. Now imagine the integration of the web into our children’s lives. Those entering school this year do not know a world without the web. Our students are children of the web. It is where they manage their resources, where they manage their relationships, where they collaborate with each other, and where they go to learn. Think about what we can do with the web today and try to imagine what we will be able to do in two years, ten years, or 20 years. In this talk, we will examine how the web is central to new learning models that will help educators and students discover, collaborate, create, and transform what learning will look like for generations to come.

Delivered by Distinguished Speaker Sara DeWitt, Vice President of PBS Kids Digital We are living and learning within a technological revolution, but today’s children experience it through a very specific vehicle: GAMES. Research shows that well designed games can improve and enhance children’s ability to learn key skills including math, literacy, science and beyond. And new technologies such as body-input navigation through cameras and 3D-rendered experiences like augmented reality apps also help kids between the ages of 3-8 get up and moving while they learn. So how can developers be innovative to create unique and compelling gaming experiences across platforms that will engage children while building critical skills for learning – and are they game changers for education? What do teachers, caregivers and parents need to navigate this new terrain? Join Sara DeWitt, Vice President, PBS KIDS Interactive, for a discussion about the current research and new technologies in gaming, and the potential (or risks?) for young learners.

Delivered by Distinguished Speaker Rebecca Mieliwocki, 2012 National Teacher of the Year There is no more essential a profession responsible for shaping and safeguarding our future than that of teachers. Teachers provide our young people with the skills and knowledge they need to create the better world we all wish to live in. Yet, American public school teachers are unappreciated, tired, overwhelmed with responsibilities not typically theirs, burnt out, and under relentless attack. Fewer and fewer people see teaching as a viable profession that can sustain them financially or emotionally. If we hope to restore faith and admiration to the profession of teaching, we have to remind our teachers just how incredibly vital they are. If we hope to attract talented new individuals into this rewarding career path, they need to know more about the impact and influence great teachers can have. To truly elevate the profession we need to use our collective voice and energy to advocate for avenues for our skill and talent to be recognized, supported, and celebrated. But more than any of that, we need to remind everyone that teaching our young people is a uniquely human endeavor. The greatest gift we can give one another is the courage to be unique, to be human, to be different, to be incredible.

Delivered by Distinguished Speaker Nikhil Goyal, 17-year-old author and speaker. Every nine seconds, a student drops out of school. Why? For a majority, school is not relevant to them. The education system isn’t broken— it’s doing exactly what it was intended to do — create compliant cogs in machines. Students are desperately craving a learning renaissance where the old order of education is shattered and institutions are forced to either adapt and reinvent, or go extinct. Imagine if we transformed schools into social engines and public spaces for tinkering, hacking, and disrupting. Imagine kids loving school each and every day. We will examine these ideas and questions like: What role does inquiry play in learning? How can students take agency over their learning experiences? How can we reinvent schools from scratch?

Delivered by Distinguished Speaker Neeru Khosla, Co-Founder & Executive Director of CK-12 Foundation. Sticking out like a sore thumb in a sea of ed tech zombie ideas is the rapid growth of OER as the future of education. It is extraordinary to see the adoption of high quality, curated STEM content for K-12 from students, teachers — both in small private schools to public schools, parents — all actively participating in customizing and delivering OER content to improve learning outcomes. Imagine how marrying high value curated content + interactive tools can empower learners and teachers globally. In this talk, we will discuss how to discover and personalize this plethora of digital content to create FREE textbooks and also the future of concept-based (bite-sized) learning leveraging multiple modalities (text, videos, exercises,interactive learning objects) that will help students and educators transform learning experiences.

Delivered by Distinguished Speaker Dale Dougherty, Founding Editor of Maker Media. The growing Maker Movement, with Make Magazine and Maker Faire leading the charge, is a catalyst for change in industry, culture and education. Making is the magic that can transform us from passive consumers into active producers. In education, making is the magic that can turn students bored by traditional academics into active, engaged learners. As makers, students can be inspired and invited to design and create, build and tinker, explore and discover, fail and recover, all of which develop the kind of skills and mindset that we recognize in creative and innovative people. Making encourages us to see the world as filled with endless possibilities and problems worth solving. We must take advantage of this opportunity to transform standardized education into a wide-open workshop for innovation. We’ll look at the importance of creating makerspaces in schools, developing a community of practice around engaging kids as makers, and how online tools can enhance and extend the value of making to the broader community.

Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, will address the foundation’s U.S. education work, which focuses primarily on ensuring all students are prepared for success in college and career. The keynote will take place 10:30 A.M. Thursday, March 7, 2013 in Ballroom D of the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas. “Bill Gates’ name is already synonymous with technology innovation and philanthropy and, driven by the work of the Gates Foundation, education is clearly a personal priority,” said Ron Reed, executive producer of SXSWedu. “Gates’ background as a global business executive and leading philanthropist gives him a unique vantage point into education, one we know will be eagerly received by SXSWedu attendees.” Education has been a core pillar of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation since its inception. Gates has been a vocal champion of using innovative technologies to widen access to quality education across K-12 and higher education.

G. Asenath Andrews founded and is currently the principal of Catherine Ferguson Academy, an alternative public high school for teen mothers that also provides early education services for the children of the high school moms. Both middle and high school classes are held at the academy, which boasts a 90 percent graduation rate, and the vast majority of those graduating attend 2-4 year colleges. For the school’s efforts, it was recognized as one of the 12 schools selected nationally as a Breakthrough High School by the National Association of Secondary Principals in 2004. Moreover, Mrs. Andrews is also adjunct faculty at the University of Michigan and Madonna University and is also a research assistant at Moore & Associates Market Research. Mrs. Andrews is actively involved in her profession and the community. She is both a board member and Trustee of Olivet College and has served as a board member for the Michigan Association for Art Education, Michigan Alternative Education Organization, and Young Audiences of Michigan. She is a founding member of the Detroit Professional Women’s Network and is a task force member of the National Committee to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. In her limited free time, she functions as a choir director for the Second New Hope Baptist Church and is also a founding member of the vocal group “One Mind.” Notably, Mrs. Andrews was honored as a Milken Family Foundation Educator of the Year in 1992 for her work at the academy. In addition, she received an award as a Fulbright Hayes Study Tour Teacher in Zimbabwe. Ms. Andrews has a B.A. from Olivet College, an M.A. in education from Wayne State University and an ABD in Educational Psychology from the University of Michigan.

In a special keynote conversation moderated by award-winning writer with The New York Times Laura Pappano, Coursera co-founder Andrew Ng and edX President Anant Agarwal will focus on massive open online courses (MOOCs), a rapidly growing interest in the education space, designed to offer large-scale participation through the web.

Delivered by Distinguished Speaker Michael Robbins, Senior Advisor for Nonprofit Partnerships at the US Dept. of Education The digital learning revolution is more than trading textbooks for tablets – it is an unprecedented inflection point in education – a critical opportunity to transform how schools, parents, and community-based organizations collaborate on education. It should spur us to rethink how we connect all the assets in a student’s life to advance engagement in learning and academic success. There is unprecedented investment in education technology and digital learning initiatives. Unfortunately, we lack the corresponding investments to evolve education culture and build family and community supports to make these transformations successful. This session will discuss bridging this gap through digital learning partnerships and will explore how education technology should advance collective impact in education.

A robust platform for the community to connect, collaborate, create and change how we teach and learn- SXSWedu is quickly gaining a reputation as a catalyst for change in education. The event welcomes the professionals making up the many different facets of the education ecosystem. Education stakeholders and practitioners of all backgrounds– including teachers, administrators, university professors and business and policy leaders– with the passion and commitment to create a better tomorrow make up the SXSWedu community.

The internet presents unique and unconventional learning opportunities to empower and engage youth in new ways, but also raises concerns about their safety and privacy. Over the last 12 months, the Aspen Institute Task Force on Learning and the internet convened 20 of the sharpest minds in the industry to explore these issues and craft recommendations to optimize online learning and innovation without compromising safety. The Task Force will preview their report highlighting these issues.

What makes great analytical writing—the ability to explain, argue, provoke—so powerful? And can a generation of American students become expert in this mighty art that most predicts success in college and careers? Come join College Board President David Coleman and Pulitzer Prize winner Robert Caro for a discussion of how writing can transform outcomes for students, schools and citizens across the country.

Diverse higher education institutions—from community colleges to private four-year colleges to large universities—are beginning to use advanced analytics to inform and power their student-success innovations. Come join this interactive dialogue to learn more about how exemplar institutions are approaching gaining deeper insights about what’s working, what’s not, and for whom; and deploying analytically fueled apps to the front lines to help more striving students learn well and finish strong.

Brain science has shown that active learning can achieve, in many instances, over 10X acceleration in the speed of learning, with better retention, compared to traditional methods. And just as with the best video games, technology now enables educators to personalize instruction to target each learner with exactly what he/she needs to develop skills and achieve mastery. Learn how games and game dynamics can be used by schools and teachers to maximize outcomes.

Miami-Dade County Public Schools is in the midst of a complete digital convergence. Through a system-wide confluence of digital resources and emergent technologies; blended learning and professional development; and deployment of digital content and mobile devices, this large urban district is knocking down the classroom walls and creating a new culture of learning. Learn how Miami-Dade is employing the concept of convergence to increase student achievement and implement true systemic reform.

The charter to establish “a university of the first class” hasn’t changed for the UT System since its creation in 1876, though the landscape of Higher Ed and what defines that certainly has. The UT System continues to set the standard for access and success for over 213,000 students attending 15 UT institutions. Today’s bold and innovative vision includes plans to establish two medical schools, transform education and health care in the Rio Grande Valley and lead the nation in online learning.

Jeff Charbonneau believes that paradise must be built, maintained and improved by removing the words ‘can’t,’ ‘too hard’ and ‘impossible’ from our vocabulary. He understands that many students feel the “hard” sciences are too difficult and it’s his job to support their learning by breaking down the content and creating interactive learning experiences. Learn what makes Jeff the teacher he has become and how to create conditions that enable teachers like Jeff to grow and develop in every school.

The Federal Communications Commission runs the nation’s largest educational technology program, known as E-Rate. Funded at $2.4 billion in 2013, the E-Rate program connects schools and libraries across the nation to modern communications and the Internet. A strong supporter of E-Rate, Commissioner Rosenworcel will discuss the program and how it should be refocused on broadband and modernized.

SXSWedu esta orgulloso de presentar el SXSWedu Education Expo – un evento GRATUITO y abierto al público celebrando la pasión de la comunidad del Centro de Texas para el estudio vital, desde el nacimiento a la carrera y hasta el más allá.

SXSWedu is pleased to present the SXSWedu Education Expo – a FREE and open to the public event celebrating the Central Texas community’s hunger and passion for lifelong learning, from cradle to career and beyond.

Exceptional people gravitate toward big challenges and there are few challenges greater than reinventing American education. Join Teach.org in a panel discussion on the current state of education and recruiting the next generation of teachers. Learn how to help prospective teachers transition into the teaching profession and ways to help spread the importance of teaching. Teaching demands exceptional talent. Are you up for the challenge? Make more.

Drawing on their failures and successes as students, teachers, researchers, and entrepreneurs, Vivienne and Norma share their vision for keeping the promise of educational technology.

Jeffrey Tambor is an award-winning film and Broadway actor and star of Arrested Development. He is also an educator, with 40 years of experience. As a teacher, father, husband and student, he cultivates a passion for learning and creativity in others. His hilarious, one-man show includes personal stories to encourage teachers to look beyond their curriculums and offer lessons from their own truths. This inspirational conversation encourages audiences to overcome their fears and discover their potential.

A robust platform for the community to connect, collaborate, create and change how we teach and learn- SXSWedu is quickly gaining a reputation as a catalyst for change in education. The event welcomes the professionals making up the many different facets of the education ecosystem. Education stakeholders and practitioners of all backgrounds– including teachers, administrators, university professors and business and policy leaders– with the passion and commitment to create a better tomorrow make up the SXSWedu community.

From classroom teacher to US Secretary of Education, Rod Paige has demonstrated his dedication to education. The driving force behind his work as Secretary was his strong belief that education is a civil right, just like the right to vote or to be treated equally. In an enlightening conversation moderated by Evan Smith of The Texas Tribune, Rod Paige speaks to a number of topics, most notably the perspective that education is the top civil rights issue of the 21st century.

SXSWedu is excited to present a “change makers” series featuring the EdTech Women. Watch all five videos to see the story unfold!

SXSWedu is excited to present a “change makers” series featuring the EdTech Women. Watch all five videos to see the story unfold!

SXSWedu is excited to present a “change makers” series featuring the EdTech Women. Watch all five videos to see the story unfold!

SXSWedu is excited to present a “change makers” series featuring the EdTech Women. Watch all five videos to see the story unfold!

SXSWedu is excited to present a “change makers” series featuring the EdTech Women. Watch all five videos to see the story unfold!

SXSWedu esta orgulloso de presentar el SXSWedu Education Expo – un evento GRATUITO y abierto al público celebrando la pasión de la comunidad del Centro de Texas para el estudio vital, desde el nacimiento a la carrera y hasta el más allá.

SXSWedu 2015 Keynote How the Crowd Will Change Education Charles Best (DonorsChoose.org – Founder & CEO) More than half of US public schools have at least one teacher who has requested classroom resources on DonorsChoose.org. Since 2000, citizen philanthropists and corporate partners have funded nearly a quarter billion dollars in projects for America’s neediest classrooms. Learn how the country’s most creative teachers are partnering with entrepreneurs to bring innovation to their classrooms, and how DonorsChoose.org is opening its data to change the way education is funded.

SXSWedu 2015 Keynote Great Instructors: Are They Born or Built? Elizabeth Green, Chalkbeat CEO & Co-Founder David Epstein, ProPublica Investigative Reporter & Author #GreatInstructors Many of us have had a great instructor, that one who changed us– ignited a passion for learning or led us from bewilderment to comprehension. That one we still thank in our mind twenty years later. Those teachers just have it. But where did “it” come from? Join two New York Times best selling authors in conversation and debate as they discuss the origins of teaching skill.

SXSWedu 2015 Keynote If You Build It Emily Pilloton, Project H Design Founder / Executive Director #ProjectHsxsw Design and building can transform lives and communities. In this session, stories, projects and lessons from Project H Design’s seven-year history will be shared, including public architecture built by high school students, ten-year-old welder girls and partnerships with civic entities that have created jobs and social impact across the country. Using architecture as a lens, this session will lay out a plan and challenge for youth to be leaders and builders of the future.

SXSWedu 2015 Featured Session If I Knew Then What I Know Now Guy Kawasaki, Canva Chief Evangelist Entrepreneurial education is booming. It is no surprise given the desire of today’s generation to collaborate, create and contribute to social good. Join this session for intensely passionate and personal observations about life’s hindsights and what today’s educators can do to prepare students for a lifetime of joy, enlightenment and contribution to society.

#SxStudents Traditional universities balance the interests of alumni, professors, donors, administrators, parents and more. Students are relegated to student governments that cannot enact real change. What would a university look like if students were empowered to shape their own educational experience? How can we work with faculty and staff to build a new model of higher education with students at its center? This session features students challenging higher education institutions to implement change.

SXSWedu 2015 Featured Session Preparing Globally Competitive Students S. Dallas Dance, Baltimore County Public Schools – Superintendent This session will discuss the Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) S.T.A.T. Initiative by outlining how BCPS started with the development of digital curriculum before choosing a device. This has been critical in keeping the focus on instruction, professional development and creation of collaborative and engaged learning environments for students and teachers. Initiatives such as this and second language acquisition are critical to preparing students to be globally competitive.

SXSWedu 2015 Featured Session No Struggle, No Progress Dr. Howard Fuller, Black Alliance For Educational Options (BAEO) Interviewed by Mark Updegrove #EdReform Former Milwaukee Public School Superintendent, and author of No Struggle, No Progress: A Warrior’s Life from Black Power to Education Reform, has been a national advocate for education reform for more than 40 years. Join one of the leading voices in support of school choice and school vouchers in an interview exploring thoughts and reactions on some of today’s leading educational challenges.

SXSWedu 2015 Featured Session The Impact of Critical Making Rosanne Somerson, Rhode Island School of Design #risdmaking Join as this session explores the power of integrating “making” into education. The success of the maker movement has advanced this idea, but the model typically lacks the depth and rigor necessary for meaningful and lasting impact. When students connect advanced conceptual thinking with the materials and methods of making, they learn to actively invent the world, shaping their futures and ours.

Carl Hooker Eanes ISD Siri: “What can I help you with?” Me: “How do I raise my kids with all these devices?” Siri: “Sorry, I didn’t get that.” SIRIously?! Remember when your parents used to complain about television and rock n’ roll? Now we complain about Snapchat and texting. We are now officially old. Unlike our parents, we have tools and resources available to us, but how many of those are valuable and how many of them are scare tactics? In this entertaining session we’ll find answers that Siri can’t.

Eloy Ortiz Oakley (Long Beach Community College District) Kaya Henderson (DC Public Schools) Michael Smith (The White House) Tonya Allen (The Skillman Foundation) Despite areas of enormous progress in this country, the gates of opportunity have not fully opened for all in America. For decades, opportunity has lagged behind for boys and young men of color. My Brother’s Keeper, a signature initiative of the Obama administration, is celebrating its first anniversary and its collaborative approach to building ladders of opportunity to unlock the full potential of our young people. Learn more of MBK’s first year successes and its priorities moving forward from leaders in K-12, higher-education, and philanthropy.

Jeff Sandefer (Acton Academy) The Acton Academy in Austin, Texas has drawn a great deal of attention with its Learner Driven Education model, which promises to deliver transformational learning for less than $2000 per student per year. The Learner Driven model sees students as “heroes who will change the world” and puts almost all learning and studio governance in their hands. By September 2014 Acton will have nine schools around the world and expects to have twenty five schools open by September 2015.

Sunni Brown (sunnibrown.com) Education is a full mind-body experience and true learning emerges out of a base of curiosity. But patterning habits of the mind – the tendency of the mind to make the world dualistic and black-and-white – can get in the way of persistent inquiry into the nature of the world around us. Join her for an interactive session that uses one of our native languages (visual language!) to demonstrate how we can continue to keep the mind open, to heighten awareness, and ultimately, to stay both expansive and sharp as learners and as people.

Linda Darling-Hammond (Stanford Center of Opportunity Policy in Education) Stephan Turnipseed (LEGO Education) What if job performance was measured by a year-end test aiming to boil all of our work down to a single score? As meaningless as that would be, that’s how our education system works; with the majority of instruction and student evaluation driven toward a single, year-end test. To foster classrooms that develop innovative, resourceful adults who can hold the jobs of the future—jobs which don’t even exist today—we need to implement rigorous accountability systems that foster meaningful learning.

Lily Eskelsen Garcia, National Education Association – President More than 60 years since the Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court ruling, we still find separate and unequal schools. Education is a civil right, and we must ensure all students receive the education they deserve. Each and every child, regardless of where they live, who their parents are or how much money they have, deserves a quality education. Join Lily Eskelsen Garcia, a 5th grade teacher from Utah and president of the National Education Association, as she explains the fundamental failure to meet this moral responsibility. Lily Eskelsen Garcia | A Tale of Two Schools: Time to Close the Opportunity Gap | SXSWedu 2015 Featured Session

SXSWedu 2015 Featured Session The Power of Data for Poverty Eradication Ann Cotton, Camfed Founder & President In the field of international development, data flows from poor to rich communities, from development agencies to donors and from the governed to the governing. Poor people give away their personal data and do not participate in analysis or receive conclusions. Join the 2014 WISE Prize for Education Laureate as she describes how this one-way data flow reflects and sustains asymmetric relationships in the sector and undermines poverty eradication initiatives, and will demonstrate the power of data sharing within poor communities to create positive change.

Mentoring has long been known to demonstrably change outcomes for at-risk students. But what if the role model charged with mentoring students was the best in the world at their chosen field? Steve Mesler, three time Olympian and Olympic Gold medalist, co-founded an ecosystem that creates just that. Classroom Champions, an international mentoring and character development nonprofit, flips the classic mentoring model on its head. Steve will discuss how, through partnerships with educators, mentors can create powerful one-to-many mentoring relationships between the world’s greatest athletes and classrooms in underserved communities across North America.

Max Ventilla AltSchool – Founder & CEO SXSWedu 2016 Featured Session Silicon Valley + Education = Real Change? Why does Silicon Valley think it can impact education? With over $1.6 billion invested in EdTech companies in the first half of 2015 alone, leading technologists and venture capitalists are placing a big bet on education. Max Ventilla, Founder/CEO of AltSchool, will discuss applying a startup mindset to schools, empowering educators to become 21st century knowledge workers, bringing entrepreneurism into the classroom and using technology that’s not screen time.

SXSWedu 2016 Opening Keynote Helping Different Kinds of Minds Solve Problems Temple Grandin – Colorado State University Department of Animal Sciences – Professor of Livestock Behavior & Welfare Temple Grandin is the most accomplished and well-known adult with autism in the world. Dr. Grandin both inspires and motivates through her powerful story. Watch her SXSWedu Conference & Festival opening keynote presentation, Helping Different Kinds of Minds Solve Problems. Learn more at http://sxswedu.com/

Kids come to school with a lot of feelings: fear, anxiety, abandonment and confusion. Educators teach SEL skills like empathy, persistence and problem-solving to support them, but too often kids find themselves on playgrounds, sports teams and even in homes where these skills are not valued or modeled. In this session, the panelists will share the four key components of Spark, a community-wide SEL initiative currently being implemented in Newtown, CT, including in-person SEL training, game-based assessment and personalized skill-building, community and parent training and brain health education. They will share how the components work together, how the speakers are ensuring they work and how these tactics can work for you! – See more at: http://schedule.sxswedu.com/events/ev…

SXSWedu 2015 Keynote How the Crowd Will Change Education Charles Best (DonorsChoose.org – Founder & CEO) More than half of US public schools have at least one teacher who has requested classroom resources on DonorsChoose.org. Since 2000, citizen philanthropists and corporate partners have funded nearly a quarter billion dollars in projects for America’s neediest classrooms. Learn how the country’s most creative teachers are partnering with entrepreneurs to bring innovation to their classrooms, and how DonorsChoose.org is opening its data to change the way education is funded.

The SXSWedu Expo is a free event designed to encourage and inspire learners of all ages to identify and reach their education and career goals. In 2015, the Expo brought close to 6,000 Central Texas students, parents and educators together at the event. Join us for this year’s Expo on Tuesday, March 8 from 9:00am – 5:00pm at the Austin Convention Center as it continues to grow its support for the local community.

The SXSWedu® Conference & Festival fosters innovation in learning by hosting a diverse and energetic community of stakeholders from a variety of backgrounds in education. The four-day event affords registrants open access to engaging sessions, interactive workshops, hands on learning experiences, film screenings, early stage startups and a host of networking opportunities. By providing a platform for collaboration, SXSWedu works to promote creativity and social change.

For the last two hundred years, research universities have been engines driving human progress and have paved a pathway of opportunity for individual students, citizens, nations and humanity as a whole. Advances in the learning sciences, digital technologies and global collaboration provide an unprecedented and historic opportunity to re-envision the research university in the new millennium. This session will focus on key trends impacting the research university, examples of alternative prototype curricular models and a new design intended to advance intellectual and creative freedom and to accelerate learning, discovery, creation and invention well beyond existing frontiers.

The new Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) gives states increased flexibility. This represents a marked shift in federal control to states, presenting state and local stakeholders with an important opportunity to redefine what student success looks like and the goals of our nation’s education system. This session will identify key opportunities within the Every Student Succeeds Act for new systems of assessments and accountability that support personalized learning (PL) and competency-based education (CBE). Panelists will focus specifically on critical next steps for state and local leaders as well as strategies for maintaining the law’s fundamental commitment to equity for all students.

In this fireside chat with Education Week editor Sean Cavanagh, littleBits Founder & CEO Ayah Bdeir will discuss the role of Maker Education in classrooms, libraries and makerspaces. Using examples of students solving real world problems using littleBits and other Maker tools, Ayah will argue that Maker Ed should push beyond career preparation and strive to create active and creative citizens of the world. The session will conclude with an important announcement about a new initiative.

The Rather Prize is a $10k prize given to the person behind the best idea to improve education in the state of Texas. The statewide prize is open to students, teachers and administrators in Texas. During the session, the prizewinner will present their idea as part of a discussion with Dan Rather, TV journalist and Rather Prize co-founder, and Martin Rather, Rather Prize Operational Director. We will begin with a discussion of Dan Rather’s Texan education, shifting to Martin Rather discussing the Rather Prize details and then the winner’s presentation followed by an open Q&A.

America is on a journey of innovation to catalyze blended learning in schools nationwide. Join Scott Ellis, CEO of The Learning Accelerator, for a discussion of the progress we have made and what comes next: we have cultivated the enablers for scale like Internet connectivity and professional development, and over the coming months the focus will be on transforming teaching and learning in the classroom and then measuring impact. Bonus: discover how Indiana Jones will show us the path forward!

Campbell Brown, Jonathan Alter, Reihan Salam, Roland Martin Is 2016 the year America’s public education crisis will take center stage in the presidential election? Thought-leaders and political journalists sound off on this question and explore how and why the challenges and opportunities facing our country’s K-12 education system must matter in the 2016 election. K-12 education regularly ranks as an issue voters are most concerned about, but it is often overlooked in debates and along the campaign trail. Amid rising concerns about income disparity, economic opportunity and racial equality, the panel will discuss how education policies have factored into the 2016 election cycle so far, and how this urgent issue can still shape November’s contest. Campbell Brown The Seventy Four – Editor-in-Chief & Co-Founder Jonathan Alter – Journalist Reihan Salam National Review – Exec Editor Roland Martin News One Now/TV One Cable Network – Host & Managing Editor

9% of students from low-income communities earn a bachelor’s degree by their mid-20s vs 77% of their wealthy peers. That’s a statistic that we want to change. Since its launch in 2010, Beyond 12 has coached over 7,000 college students using near-peer, virtual coaches and an analytics platform. While its current model works, the organization aspires to serve 250,000+ students annually. With the help of visionary funders like Google, the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation, and Tipping Point Community, and the creative minds at IDEO, Beyond 12 is re-imagining college coaching to scale its student impact, and create a human-centered design model for the field. And yes, there is an app involved.

Superintendent John White will describe how the state of Louisiana partners with leaders in business and industry as well as local educators to create meaningful career pathways in high school for all kids. Through this effort, Louisiana is making sure every child is prepared with the skills and knowledge they need to go on to college or into the workforce after graduation. Deidra Jackson Gayle Flowers John White Lyndsey Layton

Max Ventilla AltSchool – Founder & CEO SXSWedu 2016 Featured Session Silicon Valley + Education = Real Change? Why does Silicon Valley think it can impact education? With over $1.6 billion invested in EdTech companies in the first half of 2015 alone, leading technologists and venture capitalists are placing a big bet on education. Max Ventilla, Founder/CEO of AltSchool, will discuss applying a startup mindset to schools, empowering educators to become 21st century knowledge workers, bringing entrepreneurism into the classroom and using technology that’s not screen time.

There was some eye rolling when 11 major public research universities (a sector normally competing in rankings and football) announced they were going to come together and share their successes and failures in order to scale innovation. Collaboration in education has not always delivered; but two years later, those 11 schools have developed a proven method to source and scale innovation. Come learn how 11 seeming “frenemies” are closing the innovation gap to serve their students. They’ll talk about how they quickly test new technologies and approaches, share what’s working and deploy successful ideas across some of the largest universities in the country.

As digital innovation and technology continues to reshape the classroom and unlock possibilities for teachers and students, we need policies that can support and accelerate that innovation toward improving student outcomes. What those policies should look like – and the ultimate goals of the policy environment overall – continues to be the sticking point: from tackling funding to student and teacher assessment to making decisions about technology buying and implementation. Can we agree on fundamental education technology policy objectives? And can we find the right ways to get there quickly?

Fewer people are becoming teachers. Both the percentage and number of higher ed students with an education major have steadily dropped each year since 2010. Enrollment in teacher prep programs has fallen by 30 percent. Schools are struggling to find teachers for areas like science, math and bilingual education. The K12 student population is more racially, ethnically and linguistically diverse than ever, but teachers in the US are nowhere near as diverse as their students. Almost half the students are minorities, yet fewer than 1 in 5 of their teachers are nonwhite. Let’s look at what’s causing a shortage in teachers, particularly teachers of color, and how we can recruit future educators.

The landscape of higher education is quickly changing in the United States. The concept that a four-year degree guarantees a lifetime of success has been proven to be unrealistic in today’s job market. How do learners gain the skills and access necessary to be a part of the technology sector? What does education need to look like to keep up with market demands? What will happen to universities if they don’t evolve? In this presentation, Jim Deters, CEO and co-founder of Galvanize, will explain the tectonic demographic shifts causing these changes, how education providers need to step up to meet market demands, and what modern education will look like in the coming decades.

As of August 1, handgun license holders in Texas can carry handguns on college campuses. Senate Bill 11, passed by the Texas Legislature in 2015, gives university presidents the authority to establish rules governing the campus carry, but lawmakers have been clear that the intent of the law must be upheld. Many faculty, students and parents fear the consequences of guns on campus while others feel the law enables them to defend themselves in the event of a school shooting. What will the policies look like and how can Texas become a leader for other states implementing similar laws? Join us for a discussion on how schools are addressing safety issues, alleviating fears and implementing the new law.

For over a decade the Finnish education system has been a destination for thousands of practitioners, researchers and politicians. They have visited Finnish schools to find out what makes Finland one of the best performing education nations in the world. In this session, panelists will explain the basics of Finland’s educational success, consider what others can learn from the Finns and introduce HundrED, an ambitious education project creating 100 scalable educational innovations and sharing them for free with the world. Learn more at http://sxswedu.com/

Initiatives to increase graduation rates are underway nationwide, but students who have dropped out are still being left behind. The window for earning a diploma has closed on tens of millions of Americans who have “aged-out,” leaving them underprepared for the demands of the workforce and often bound in poverty. It’s not just a social issue; these underserved populations represent a cost totaling trillions in the coming decades. We can curb that trend with smart, cost-effective workforce development initiatives, but we have to act now. We’ll discuss innovative ideas that reengage adult students, reactivate their potential and prevent them from being left behind in the 21st century economy.

Best known for her work as a pioneering game designer and author of the bestselling books Reality is Broken and SuperBetter, Jane McGonigal, PhD, has also spent the past decade working as a futurist. Watch her SXSWedu 2016 keynote, How to Think (and Learn) Like a Futurist, now! Learn more at http://sxswedu.com/

In a recent survey of female college students by the AAU, 23% said they experienced unwanted sexual contact carried out by force or threat of force, or while they were incapacitated due to alcohol and drugs. This topic is the focus of an Interim Charge presented by Texas House of Representatives Speaker Joe Straus to study current initiatives at higher ed institutions and make recommendations toward the prevention and elimination of sexual assault on campuses. Annie Clark, Executive Director of End Rape on Campus and an expert on campus sexual assault, testified before the House Committee earlier and with the Committee’s Chair and Vice Chair will further explore this important topic.

California has built broad support for educational changes that have sparked divisive battles in other states. The “California Way” involves stakeholder alignment that starts with the highest levels of state government and includes deep work with innovative labor-management partnerships. The panel will analyze the relationships between the “what” of CA’s approach (new standards, new funding models, new accountability system) and the “how” of California’s work (innovative team-based, collaborative models). Panelists will provide first-hand insight into the exciting potential and successes to date, as well as the sometimes difficult struggles encountered by California.

Aimee Woodall, Ankur Thakkar, Don Yu, Eric Waldo 220+ million social media impressions, 500 media hits and a rap video starring First Lady Michelle Obama. That kind of buzzy entrance is necessary to capture the attention of Generation-Z, today’s high school students. Gen-Z is the most educated, connected and altruistic generation and they are making decisions about their education, careers and lives. That is why, as part of her Reach Higher initiative, the First Lady launched Better Make Room, a bold public awareness campaign that celebrates education and gives Gen-Z a space to share their story. It’s a grassroots campaign that gains momentum with every tweet, YouTube video and Vine post, all while making room for students’ voices. Aimee Woodall The Black Sheep Agency – CEO & Founder Ankur Thakkar Vine – Head of Editorial Don Yu Civic Nation – Dir, Better Make Room Campaign Eric Waldo Office of the First Lady – Exec Dir First Lady Michelle Obama’s Reach Higher Initiative

John Katzman, Lillian Mongeau, Michael Petrilli For over 25 years, the US has made academic standards a key component of K-12 reform, and is now five years into a multi-billion dollar effort to revamp K-12 learning through the Common Core. However, that effort is under attack from the left and right, and faces a new challenge in the form of parental opt-outs from testing. Join us for a debate about whether to defend the Common Core, bury it, or transform it into something better. John Katzman Noodle – CEO Lillian Mongeau The Hechinger Report – West Coast Correspondent Michael Petrilli Thomas B Fordham Institute – Pres – See more at: http://schedule.sxswedu.com/events/ev…

Laureate of the 2015 WISE Prize for Education, Dr. Sakena Yacoobi will share her inspirational experience in rebuilding Afghanistan’s educational landscape in the past two decades. Blending storytelling and lessons learned, Dr. Yacoobi will unveil a fascinating and challenging life story, which echoes that of her country and people. From working in refugee camps in Pakistan to supporting underground schools during the Taliban regime until today, Dr. Yacoobi’s groundbreaking and visionary approach has empowered 12 million Afghans through education.

Bev Perdue, Jose Frausto, Kerry Gallagher, Matthew Worthington Policymakers can have a big impact on what happens in the classroom—both good and bad, if you ask educators. Today, there’s a lot of exciting innovation taking place in classrooms across the country and teachers and principals are at the crux of it. So how can policy support or hinder innovation? Join a former governor for a frank conversation with administrators and teachers about Ed Tech policy issues of the day. From data privacy to Bring Your Own Device models to broadband access, savvy, policy-smart educators will share their perspective on policy discussions and give real world insights on how federal and state policy impact their work. Bev Perdue Whiteboard Advisors – Former Governor Kerry Gallagher St John’s Preparatory School – Digital Learning Specialist Jose Frausto Enrico Tonti Elementary School – Technology Teacher Matthew Worthington KIPP Austin Public Schools – Digital Learning Coord

In 2006, Tim King opened the first Urban Prep campus with a simple goal: improve the educational outcomes for African-American males. Since then, Urban Prep has achieved a 100% college acceptance rate for its graduates, grown from one school to a network of schools, created an innovative program supporting college students, launched a workforce development program and served over 2,000 young African-American males. On the 10th anniversary of opening the first school, Tim reflects on his journey as an educator, what it took to build the country’s first network of public charter high schools for boys and the secret to Urban Prep’s success. (Hint: there’s no secret)!

As with any endeavor a student pursues—chess, violin or skateboarding—the key to success on the SAT is dedicated practice. At SXSWedu 2014, the College Board announced plans for a new SAT, including an unprecedented partnership with Khan Academy to offer a free, personalized practice platform. Today, every student with access to the internet has access to world-class tools for focused and productive SAT practice. This has dramatic implications for equity in our world. Join panelists as they discuss how they teamed up to ignite a practice revolution that empowers students with the skills to do their best on the SAT, in college and beyond.

If you had the chance to change the world, what would you do? Recognized as one of CNN’s 10 Visionary Women in 2014, Ari Horie, Founder and CEO of Women’s Startup Lab (WSLab) shares how finding your passion and unleashing your inner entrepreneur leads to unwavering leadership. We achieve great things in the pursuit of passion. Positively impact the lives of others and awaken your inner entrepreneur, because we are all born to lead!

This panel will address future efforts to encourage socioeconomic equality in schools by addressing how to move toward a world in which no child will attend a school of high poverty—schools in which more than 50% of the students are poor. The panel will discuss recent efforts to encourage school integration nationwide by creating magnet schools, adopting inter-district transfer programs and other district-wide strategies for achieving socioeconomic diversity. The panel will address possible policy solutions for the future that could be implemented at either the federal or state level to improve the economic and racial diversity of schools.

Join motivational speaker and author Lizzie Velasquez for an intimate conversation about her journey from cyber bullying victim to anti-bullying activist. Lizzie will talk candidly about her experiences in school, giving the talk of her life and what she’s learned over the last year from the success of her award-winning documentary, “A Brave Heart: The Lizzie Velasquez Story.” Lizzie, a much sought after global speaker, will also discuss how we can all—students as well as parents—be activists for change.

SXSWedu Launch is a fast-paced, live startup competition for education entrepreneurs designed to highlight emerging innovations impacting the world of teaching and learning. Ten early-stage education startups have been selected to compete in the fifth annual Launch competition. While these startups vary in location, mission, structure and the challenges they hope to solve, they all share a passion and desire to create positive change in education. All ten Launch 2016 finalists will take a turn pitching their education startup to the judging panel and live audience in this fast-paced kickoff to the competition.

SXSWedu Launch is a fast-paced, live startup competition for education entrepreneurs designed to highlight emerging innovations impacting the world of teaching and learning. Ten early-stage education startups have been selected to compete in the fifth annual Launch competition. While these startups vary in location, mission, structure and the challenges they hope to solve, they all share a passion and desire to create positive change in education. All ten Launch 2016 finalists will take a turn pitching their education startup to the judging panel and live audience in this fast-paced kickoff to the competition.

SXSWedu Launch is a fast-paced, live startup competition for education entrepreneurs designed to highlight emerging innovations impacting the world of teaching and learning. Ten early-stage education startups have been selected to compete in the fifth annual Launch competition. While these startups vary in location, mission, structure and the challenges they hope to solve, they all share a passion and desire to create positive change in education. All ten Launch 2016 finalists will take a turn pitching their education startup to the judging panel and live audience in this fast-paced kickoff to the competition.

SXSWedu Launch is a fast-paced, live startup competition for education entrepreneurs designed to highlight emerging innovations impacting the world of teaching and learning. Ten early-stage education startups have been selected to compete in the fifth annual Launch competition. While these startups vary in location, mission, structure and the challenges they hope to solve, they all share a passion and desire to create positive change in education. All ten Launch 2016 finalists will take a turn pitching their education startup to the judging panel and live audience in this fast-paced kickoff to the competition.

SXSWedu Launch is a fast-paced, live startup competition for education entrepreneurs designed to highlight emerging innovations impacting the world of teaching and learning. Ten early-stage education startups have been selected to compete in the fifth annual Launch competition. While these startups vary in location, mission, structure and the challenges they hope to solve, they all share a passion and desire to create positive change in education. All ten Launch 2016 finalists will take a turn pitching their education startup to the judging panel and live audience in this fast-paced kickoff to the competition.

SXSWedu Launch is a fast-paced, live startup competition for education entrepreneurs designed to highlight emerging innovations impacting the world of teaching and learning. Ten early-stage education startups have been selected to compete in the fifth annual Launch competition. While these startups vary in location, mission, structure and the challenges they hope to solve, they all share a passion and desire to create positive change in education. All ten Launch 2016 finalists will take a turn pitching their education startup to the judging panel and live audience in this fast-paced kickoff to the competition.

SXSWedu Launch is a fast-paced, live startup competition for education entrepreneurs designed to highlight emerging innovations impacting the world of teaching and learning. Ten early-stage education startups have been selected to compete in the fifth annual Launch competition. While these startups vary in location, mission, structure and the challenges they hope to solve, they all share a passion and desire to create positive change in education. All ten Launch 2016 finalists will take a turn pitching their education startup to the judging panel and live audience in this fast-paced kickoff to the competition.

SXSWedu Launch is a fast-paced, live startup competition for education entrepreneurs designed to highlight emerging innovations impacting the world of teaching and learning. Ten early-stage education startups have been selected to compete in the fifth annual Launch competition. While these startups vary in location, mission, structure and the challenges they hope to solve, they all share a passion and desire to create positive change in education. All ten Launch 2016 finalists will take a turn pitching their education startup to the judging panel and live audience in this fast-paced kickoff to the competition.

Opening Remarks – Paul Reville The End of Average – Todd Rose Are you above average? Is your child an A student? Every day we are measured against averages, and we’re judged on how far from them we fall. Indeed, measuring ourselves against the average is so ingrained in our consciousness that we don’t even question it. But what if that’s not the best way to judge success and failure? In Todd Rose’s new book “The End of Average,” he demonstrates that no one is average. And that, he argues, has enormous practical consequences. While we know people learn in distinctive ways, schools and businesses have been designed around the so-called “average person.” This model ignores our differences and fails at recognizing talent. It’s time to change it. Rethinking High School: Activating Innovation – Russlynn Ali The American public high school was invented more than a century ago, and it has remained frozen in time. As the modern world has moved on, our students are falling further and further behind. The answer? Reimagine high school itself. Russlynn Ali, former Assistant Secretary, Office of Civil Rights at the Department of Education, will share lessons from a movement doing exactly that. What happens when the inventors of the next American high school include the actual stakeholders: students, teachers, community leaders and beyond? Learning as a Lifestyle: Passion, People, Purpose – Connie Yowell LRNG is tackling the nation’s opportunity gap by starting where youth are, enabling young people to pursue their passions, connect with peers and mentors and find fulfilling 21st century opportunities and jobs. CEO Connie Yowell will discuss how LRNG is building an ecosystem of learning that combines in-school, out-of-school, employer-based and online learning experiences into a seamless network that is open and inviting to all youth. Through the LRNG platform and digital badges, LRNG is opening paths to higher education and employment. Learn how cities, businesses, nonprofits and schools can join the movement to ensure all young people can develop their full potential in the connected age.

The SXSWedu® Conference & Festival fosters innovation in learning by hosting a passionate and diverse community of education stakeholders. The seventh annual SXSWedu will return to Austin, March 6-9, 2017, for four days of compelling sessions, in-depth workshops, engaging learning experiences, mentorship, film screenings, startup events, policy-centered discussions, business opportunities, networking and so much more! Through collaboration, creativity and social action, SXSWedu empowers its global community to connect, discover and impact.

The Rather Prize is a $10k prize presented to the person behind the best idea to improve Texas education. The statewide prize is open to students, teachers and administrators in Texas. Our session will begin with a discussion about the implementation of Eastside Memorial’s winning idea from last year, followed by an announcement and action plan for the Rather Prize second annual contest. Martin and Dan Rather will lead the conversation focusing on the importance of listening to great ideas in Texas education. The session will include a Q&A session. Multimedia will be used to feature the comeback of Eastside memorial with a spotlight on the second annual Rather Prize winner.

SXSWedu 2017s opening keynote. Merging theory and practice, connecting contemporary issues to historical ones, and providing a deep analysis on the current state of education, Dr. Emdin ushers in a new way of looking at improving schools and schooling. Drawing from themes in his New York Times Bestselling book, and the latest album from rap group A Tribe Called Quest, Emdin offers insight into the structures of contemporary schools, and highlights major issues like the absence of diversity among teachers, the ways educators of color are silenced in schools, the absence of student voice in designing teaching and learning, and a way forward in addressing these issues.

The SXSWedu® Conference & Festival fosters innovation in learning by hosting a diverse and energetic community of stakeholders across a variety of backgrounds in education. Enjoy this daily recap from day one of the SXSWedu 2017 event.

SXSWedu 2017s Tuesday keynote

Michael Kleba In industries from health care to the military to major league baseball, executives call on (and compensate) the advice of working practitioners. Why is it so rare to find companies that have working teachers in executive and leadership positions? Join Mike Kleba as he explores a revolutionary paradigm in education: teacher as advisor and business executive. Teachers aren’t untapped as end users; they are untapped as partners.

The SXSWedu® Conference & Festival fosters innovation in learning by hosting a diverse and energetic community of stakeholders across a variety of backgrounds in education. Enjoy this daily recap from day two of the SXSWedu 2017 event.

Laura Weidman Powers By 2040, we’re making sure that Black and Latinx communities are recognized and valued as the powerful innovators they are. Learn what we’ve discovered in the last five years – including why we’re diversifying the innovation economy – and how you can continue the charge towards a more equitable future.

The Secrets of Accelerated Learning & Mastery | SXSWedu Keynote Tim Ferriss in conversation with Charles Best Want to become world-class in anything, or teach others to do the same? Tim Ferriss, author of “Tools of Titans” and “The 4-Hour Workweek,” has spent years interviewing and studying world-class performers—celebs, entrepreneurs, athletes, Special Ops commanders and more—to deconstruct accelerated learning. In this talk, moderated by Charles Best, Founder and CEO of DonorsChoose.org, Ferriss will share frameworks and techniques that can help you take learning (and teaching) to the next level.

Learning, Memory & Knowledge Post-Google | SXSWedu Featured Session Andrew Smith Lewis Cerego – Co-Founder & CEO Seth Godin famously argued that there is “zero value in memorizing anything ever again.” In the post-Google, mobile era, where information is constantly at our fingertips, this may very well be true, but how does this cultural shift away from memorization actually impact knowledge and learning? In fact, memory may be more important than ever in role as the foundational knowledge from which our learning (and information seeking) takes shape. In this talk, Andrew Smith Lewis will look at the science of memory and how technology is changing the cultural value of memory and knowledge. He’ll also explore the tradeoffs we may be making in the post-Google era as how we learn evolves.

The SXSWedu® Conference & Festival fosters innovation in learning by hosting a diverse and energetic community of stakeholders across a variety of backgrounds in education. Enjoy this daily recap from day two of the SXSWedu 2017 event.

SXSWedu 2017 Featured Session Classroom to Community: Student Service Learning Jahana Hayes CCSSO – 2016 Natl Teacher of the Year Through service learning, 2016 National Teacher of the Year Jahana Hayes expands her classroom walls into the community. Community service projects build skills and empowerment, and provide students the opportunity to transfer the critical thinking and problem solving skills taught in the classroom into the real world. It also allows students to know the power of being the giver. Students build a sense of increased self-worth and self-sufficiency. This, in turn, can lead to academic success. Hayes will share best practices for engaging students in service learning and encourage educators to develop plans of their own to expand the network of teachers engaging in this valuable practice.

AJ Crabill, Dori Fenenbock, Kendall Pace and Richard A Carranza Do School Boards Work?: Improving Student Outcomes How much of your district’s school board meetings are spent focused on student outcomes — not just adult inputs, frustrated parents, upset vendors, debates about whom the superintendent should or shouldn’t have hired, discussions that revolve around second-guessing managerial decisions, etc.? If your district is like many, the answer probably ranges from none to not enough. But there is another way; let’s talk about it.

Michelle Johnson US Air Force Academy – Lieutenant Gen Superintendent Leaders in Lockstep: Combating Sexual Assault Summary It is time to acknowledge and own the societal problem of sexual assault on college campuses. Despite our respective codes of honor, service academies have not been immune to this corrosive problem. Transforming culture has to start at the top, with leaders in lockstep, fostering a culture that is committed to respect for the human dignity of every person. The culture must be consistent, to include respect for gender, religion, socio economic status, race, color, creed or sexual orientation. We must take an honest, introspective look at our climate, reinforce our commitment to this consistent respect, and ensure that the emotional and physical wellbeing of victims is a top priority.

Ben Riley, Dick Startz, Kate Walsh Is Educational Innovation Overrated? Summary In this no-holds-barred session, Kate Walsh (NCTQ) and Benjamin Riley (Deans for Impact) debate whether we actually need less innovation in education, particularly when preparing teachers. In what will surely feel like an anathema to the SXSWedu crowd, participants will be asked to close their laptops (gasp!) and to pocket cellphones (shudder!) as we discuss whether education in the 21st century is really all that different from the 20th…or the 3rd even! Dick Startz (UC Santa Barbara), a remarkably entertaining economist, moderates.

Anthony A Owen, Heather Lageman, Kevin Nolten, Pat Yongpradit Computer Science Standards: Best Practices Summary The U.S. has over half a million unfilled computing jobs, and computing jobs are projected to grow at 2x the rate of any other job over the next 10 years. Like History, Math or English, Computer Science is recognized by educators and parents alike as a critical skill for career readiness. However, most states have not yet adopted computer science learning standards, and only 25% of schools teach computer science at all. State Boards of Education are key: 45 state boards of education have authority to design and implement education standards, but only 5 states have CS standards. This panel will highlight why CS standards are important, and how to get them passed in your state.

Ideate & Create Towards a Better Tomorrow Jessica O Matthews Uncharted Play – Founder/CEO Summary How can we inspire children to create positive change in their communities? Uncharted Play makes energy-generating play products that power and empower communities worldwide. Using its products as teaching tools alongside the company’s “Think Out Of Bounds” (TOOB) Curriculum, the company is helping students find the confidence to imagine and invent a better future. Uncharted Play has based its headquarters in Harlem to champion the intersection of self-expression and technology, a union enhanced by diverse opinions and backgrounds. Learn more about how UP embraces the power of play and community to change the way the world looks at innovation—and innovators.

Brittany Packnett, Iz Avila, Kathy Fletcher, Vernee Green ESSA, Turnaround Arts & the Obama Education Legacy Summary #ArtsEd The President’s Committee is a White House advisory committee on culture, for which the First Lady serves as Honorary Chair. Under this Committee, the Obama Administration created an impressive education legacy, of which the arts are a critical part. This session will demonstrate in action the arts education opportunities provided by Turnaround Arts (TA), an arts education initiative that uses the arts as a tool to reform some of the nation’s lowest performing schools. The session will help participants understand the ways in which local communities can leverage the arts through new education legislation (ESSA) and understand the methodology by which TA has achieved academic success.

Mark Milliron, Laura Mercer, Jon Daries and John Gill Data Today: Trends & Predictions for Higher Ed Summary As data innovation and advanced analytics come of age in higher education, this panel will look at the today’s need-to-know trends and the wave of transition yet to come. Join a panel of data experts as they make bold predictions and explore trendsetting approaches that universities around the world are using to accomplish their teaching missions and address historic achievement gaps. This panel will look at proven and promising practices in how data can drive program review, curriculum development, research and governance and emerging examples from the frontlines of data innovation.

Jane Meseck, Jodi Nelson, Leila Toplic and Melissa Ingber Beyond Aid: Solutions for Educating Refugee Youth Summary We are in the midst of the worst refugee crisis since World War II. Syrian refugees alone now number a staggering 4.8 million, more than half of whom are children. Trauma, poverty, social isolation and a lack of access to education are creating a bleak future for a generation of youth. Helping young refugees find a sense of purpose and a path to a better future is critical for their individual futures, their home countries and our well-being as a global community. Join experts from the International Rescue Committee, Aspen Institute, Microsoft, and NetHope for a discussion about how technology and other solutions including virtual exchange can aid refugee education at scale.

Building an Educational Team of Teams William McRaven Chancellor, The University of Texas System Summary The future of Texas will be determined by our ability to give every student willing to work hard a chance for a great education. Making that a reality is not only the job of higher education, of the Pre-K through 12 community, or anyone else. It’s a job for all of us. In his remarks, Chancellor McRaven will discuss the bold steps the UT System is taking, as well as the collaborative “Team of Teams” approach that he believes will drive Quantum Leaps forward for our state, and the world at large.

Colette Pierce Burnette, Dave Mann, Richard Reddick and Mayor Steve Adler Addressing Inequality in Austin Summary In late 2016, Austin Mayor Steve Adler announced the creation of the Mayor’s Task Force on Institutional Racism and Systemic Inequities aimed at addressing racial inequality in the community and address the systemic structures and institutions that have negatively impacted communities of color. The task force will focus on criminal justice, education, health, finance and housing, working to bring an action plan to city leadership this spring. This panel will bring together Mayor Adler and leadership from the task force to discuss Austin’s history of racial inequity, the importance of the task force’s work and the implications for both Austin’s public schools as well as higher education.

Brain-Informed Education for All: Is It Possible? Abner Oakes, David Yeager Summary We now know more than ever about how people learn, but how close are we to creating a U.S. public education system that reflects recent scientific discoveries? How do we ensure that all students, particularly in underserved populations, have the resources and support they need to develop critical thinking skills, socio-emotional learning and other traits necessary for future success? Join us for a lively conversation as we look at the alignment of education policy to learning research, new opportunities for improvement and the challenges that remain.

Roberto Rivera Good Life Alliance / 7 Mindsets – Pres & Lead Change Agent Mindsets & Movements: Healing Self & Society In this talk, Roberto Rivera reclaims the history of hiphop culture and breaks down how it embodies best practices in social emotional learning, post traumatic growth and social change. Roberto provides scientific research and remixes it with stories of personal and community transformation. Roberto was a former student deemed “at-risk,” by the age of 15 he was kicked out of school, ran away from home, and was in drug rehab. He now is a renown educator, social entrepreneur, and published scholar. He will illustrate his points further with case studies that illustrate these principles in school and community contexts. This talk will inspire you, any educator, artist or concerned citizen.

Scaling Global Competency Education Diane Robinson, Seth Brady, Tala Sweis, Trisha Carroll Unprecedented social, economic, political and cultural change has inspired calls for a new kind of education that prepares students for success in the global economy. One policy solution has been to integrate global competency standards into statewide curriculum. But applying policy to practice and bringing equitable global competency education to scale on a national level requires more substantial efforts––perhaps even a bit of radical thinking. This panel will feature trailblazers in Kentucky, Illinois and Jordan who have supported the implementation of virtual exchange as a tool to ensure young people have the skills they need to succeed in the 21st century.

We are living in a time of vast, fast and unprecedented change in our world and will need educated citizens equipped with the skills, character and mindsets to tackle complex challenges and make decisions of consequence. Liberal arts colleges are institutions that are fundamentally committed to a deep, broad education that cultivates and launches the leaders we need. The best colleges will be those that continue to adapt and innovate in what they offer to best serve today’s young people and society. In this panel we’ll engage in a dialogue with the presidents of some of the top colleges in the country and their visions for the future of liberal arts and the roles of colleges in society.

In a city known for reinventing itself, Pittsburgh and its Remake Learning Network are forging a new kind of modern education—one in which the region is a classroom and learners leverage the technology, creativity, and innovations that have transformed Fred Rogers’ hometown. Representing more than 250 schools, museums, libraries, and community centers, Remake Learning has reset educational expectations – in and out of school – PreK to Grade 12, earning coverage by Forbes, the Stanford Social Innovation Review and the World Economic Forum. This session will discuss how the network’s award-winning partnerships, programs and events are inspiring lifelong learners in Pittsburgh and beyond.

Carla Thompson Payton, Hilary Pennington, Kyle Peterson, Sara Allan The Ford Foundation, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, W.K. Kellogg Foundation and Walton Family Foundation share a commitment to equity in education, especially for the nation’s underserved communities and marginalized student populations. Each approaches this work in unique and distinct ways that have been shaped by organizational history, culture and mission. Join foundation leaders as they discuss how their work impacts, and is impacted by, structures and struggles in our education system and the actions they are taking to reach an inclusive, equitable future for all.

Do the arts really matter in today’s cultural and political environment? Dr. Joseph W. Polisi, president of The Juilliard School for more than three decades, shares how and why the school is bringing arts access to a wider public through K-12 educational curricula, The Tianjin Juilliard School, and an increasing array of digital education products. In this talk, moderated by Juilliard faculty chair Dr. Michael Shinn, Dr. Polisi will provide a framework for educating the artists, leaders, and citizens that our world needs today – and how to keep the arts alive for future generations.

Student Voice’s national tour has found that students are struggling to reach their goals in the face of steep institutionalized inequity. While initiatives such as Affirmative Action, and scholarships, like the Gate’s Millennium Scholars, have made serious headway into decreasing the barriers many students must surmount in order to pursue an education, there are many students of color from low-income families, and/or with learning differences who have to contend with a system designed to keep them from realizing their dreams. This all-student panel will discuss how students in the U.S. are using their voice to change the status quo and combat inequity to achieve their scholastic aspirations.

The SXSW EDU Conference & Festival cultivates and empowers a community of engaged stakeholders to advance teaching and learning. Connect with SXSWedu Online at: Visit the SXSWedu website: http://sxswedu.com/ Follow SXSWedu on Twitter: https://twitter.com/sxswedu Like SXSWedu on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sxswedu/

In collaboration with storytelling phenomenon The Moth, Stories of Schooling and Getting Schooled will feature four teachers telling true stories from their lives—journeys taken inside the classroom and outside of it. Teachers bring their lives into the classroom, and their classrooms into their lives. In exploring this intersection of teacher identity, The Moth will inspire listeners to find and share their own stories, launching a week of learning and connection at SXSW EDU.

SXSW EDU Keynote: WE over Me: From College to Movement In 2007, Paul Quinn College was a failing HBCU that had few students and seemingly a bleak future. By 2018, bolstered by a commitment to values and the belief in meeting students where they are, PQC has been transformed into one of the most innovative colleges in America. Join us as President Sorrell discusses how focusing on the needs of communities the school serves led to creating a new version of higher ed and the plan to build a network of Urban Work Colleges using Reality Based Education.

danah boyd’s SXSW EDU keynote, What Hath We Wrought?, takes a powerful look at media literacy, the widespread consumption of fake news and the cultural implications of media manipulation. Visit https://www.sxswedu.com/ to learn more about SXSW EDU and subscribe to SXSW EDU on YouTube for more great videos https://www.youtube.com/user/SXSWEDU. More on this video: What Hath We Wrought? A decade ago, we imagined a world of participatory culture where youth would be empowered to actively and strategically use technology. Through peer/self-learning and formal education, young people have developed a well-informed understanding of the world through social media. However, this participatory culture can be unhealthy, cruel, and socially devastating. In this talk, I’ll explore unintended consequences of efforts to empower youth, media manipulation and literacy, polarization, and other issues. danah boyd is the founder and president of Data & Society, a research institute focused on understanding the role of data-driven technologies in society. She is also a Principal Researcher at Microsoft Research and a Visiting Professor at New York University. Her research is focused on addressing social and cultural inequities by understanding the relationship between technology and society. Her most recent books – “It’s Complicated: The Social Lives of Networked Teens” and “Participatory Culture in a Networked Age” – examine the intersection of everyday practices and social media. She is a 2011 Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum, a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, a Director of both Crisis Text Line and Social Science Research Council, and a Trustee of the National Museum of the American Indian. She received a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Brown University, a master’s degree from the MIT Media Lab, and a Ph.D in Information from the University of California, Berkeley.

Juan Pablo Romero Fuentes started Los Patojos (LP) in his parent’s house and grew it into a community center and school educating over 300 students. He’s now building an innovative campus with incubation labs, horticulture programs, culinary arts, and more. Hear how he’s shaping the future of Guatemala’s children by applying a holistic lens to everything LP does, battling brain-drain, and designing LP to be financially self-sustaining so he can open over 100 schools and change Guatemala.

A panel discussion of current issues, data, and trends in Pre-K through college with esteemed educational and civic leaders Chris Stewart (Wayfinder Foundation), Margaret Fortune (Fortune School of Education), Rehema Ellis (NBC News), and Howard Fuller (Marquette University). Chris Stewart (President & CEO, Wayfinder Foundation) Margaret Fortune (President & CEO, Fortune School of Education) Rehema Ellis (Senior Education Correspondent, NBC News) Howard Fuller (Distinguished Professor, Marquette University) When it comes to education, the black community faces many unique issues, including funding inequities, the achievement gap, students graduating from high school not ready for college or the workforce and access to great schools. This panel will discuss current issues, data, and trends in Pre-K through college with esteemed educational and civic leaders.

36 million Americans have low skills in reading, math, and problem solving in technology rich environments. Upskilling is needed but the education and workforce training options available to adults are unequal. Innovators Lecester Johnson (Academy of Hope), Ilse Pollet, and Carrie Tupa (Texas Workforce Commission), will share how they are changing that paradigm. More About the Session: Lecester Johnson (CEO, Academy of Hope) Ilse Pollet (Executive Director, The Alliance for Language Learners’ Integration, Education, and Success (ALLIES)) Carrie Tupa (Strategic Planning & Accountability Coordinator, Texas Workforce Commission) 36 million Americans have low skills in reading, math, and problem solving in technology rich environments. The costs of these low skills to our nation’s productivity and to our nation’s political and social fabric are immense. People need to upskill, but the education and workforce development training options available to low-skill adults are often separate from and unequal to options for other adults. Learn from innovators from across the country who are changing that paradigm.

Exploring tangible programs that have broad support across political ideology and affiliation, Tobie Baker-Wright (Jobs for the Future), Mark Martin (Build Urban Prosperity), and Jeremiah Newell (Mobile Area Education Foundation), will share a focus on putting children, families, and communities first. More About the Session This panel explores tangible programs that have broad support across political ideology and affiliation. Although much of what we read, hear, and see presents polarized portrayals of the world, we know that more often than not there are many lines of similar thought and conviction that unite people and groups towards a common goal. The projects presented in this panel focus on putting children, families, and communities first, and politics and ideology a distant second.

The SXSW EDU Conference & Festival cultivates and empowers a community of engaged stakeholders to advance teaching and learning. SXSW EDU is a component of the South by Southwest® (SXSW®) family of conferences and festivals. Internationally recognized as the convergence gathering for creative professionals, SXSWedu extends SXSW’s support for the art of engagement to include society’s true rock stars: educators!

As a result of the $1.4T student loan crisis, employers across the nation are starting to offer student loan repayment as an employee benefit to improve the financial well being of their workers and a bill co-authored by U.S. Rep. Scott Peters would make this employer contribution tax free. Alex Smith (City of Memphis), Scott Thomspon (Tuition.io), and Representative Scott Peters (US House of Representatives) will discuss. About SXSW EDU The SXSW EDU Conference & Festival cultivates and empowers a community of engaged stakeholders to advance teaching and learning. SXSW EDU is a component of the South by Southwest® (SXSW®) family of conferences and festivals. Internationally recognized as the convergence gathering for creative professionals, SXSWedu extends SXSW’s support for the art of engagement to include society’s true rock stars: educators!

Hugh Norwood (Trinity Education Group), MaryEllen Elia (New York State Education Department), and Richard Culatta (ISTE) explore the efficacy and impact of “tech in ed.” Examining Our Faith in Educational Technology: Technology tools and companies are at the epicenter of a national political storm. There is a growing awareness that while technology can help, it can also hinder. Within education, policymakers and innovators alike are asking more of classroom technology and data than ever before. Yet questions of efficacy and impact remain. Is “tech in ed” always a good thing? Can its potential to transform finally be realized? About SXSW EDU The SXSW EDU Conference & Festival cultivates and empowers a community of engaged stakeholders to advance teaching and learning. SXSW EDU is a component of the South by Southwest® (SXSW®) family of conferences and festivals. Internationally recognized as the convergence gathering for creative professionals, SXSWedu extends SXSW’s support for the art of engagement to include society’s true rock stars: educators!

A DonorsChoose.org survey found that a majority of early learning teachers are eager to innovate with technology, and 93% want to use technology to further other innovations. This session will highlight practical and creative applications of what we have learned about tech use in early learning classrooms. Three early learning teachers will share how they use tech, from teaching coding to meeting special needs, to help all their students thrive.

Mayor Steve Adler (City of Austin), Raul Alvarez (Community Advancement Network), Kelly Crook (Del Valle ISD), and Allison Ivey (Learn All The Time), will discusses multi-generational, comprehensive strategy to ensure all children receive a high-quality education.

Community leaders, Art Acevedo (Houston Police Department), David Kass (Council for a Strong America), Michael Harper (ReadyNation), and Nancy Brown (Mission: Readiness), will explore how early education addresses problems, from unemployment to crime.

With an eye on the intersection of education, conflict and emerging global issues, Dr. Murabit presents unique research & some recommendations and key strategies to move forward in today’s complex and changing educational landscape. Alaa Murabit is a medical doctor, one of 17 Global Sustainable Development Goal Advocates appointed by the UN Secretary General, and a UN High-Level Commissioner on Health Employment & Economic Growth. In 2016 she founded a global Mentorship Programme for emerging leaders and co-founded The Omnis Institute, an independent non-profit organisation committed to challenging critical global issues through the empowerment of emerging local leaders. About SXSW EDU The SXSW EDU Conference & Festival cultivates and empowers a community of engaged stakeholders to advance teaching and learning. SXSW EDU is a component of the South by Southwest® (SXSW®) family of conferences and festivals. Internationally recognized as the convergence gathering for creative professionals, SXSWedu extends SXSW’s support for the art of engagement to include society’s true rock stars: educators!

Educator and author, Jessica Lahey’s SXSW EDU keynote Teaching the Gift of Failure breaks down research and factors on motivation, resilience and learning. Visit https://www.sxswedu.com/ to learn more about SXSW EDU and subscribe to SXSW EDU on YouTube for more great videos https://www.youtube.com/user/SXSWEDU. More on this video: Veteran teacher, author, and education journalist Jessica Lahey breaks down the research on motivation, resilience and learning, and explains how autonomy-supportive parenting and teaching not only boosts kids’ motivation, but improves educational outcomes. Using personal narrative and humor, Lahey explores the research on extrinsic and intrinsic motivators, praise, and learned helplessness, while offering instruction and assessment methods that promote deep, durable learning and engagement. Jessica Lahey is a teacher, writer, and mom. She writes about education, parenting, and child welfare for The Atlantic, Vermont Public Radio, and the New York Times and is the author of the New York Times bestselling book, The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed. She is a member of the Amazon Studios Thought Leader Board and wrote the educational curriculum for Amazon Kids’ The Stinky and Dirty Show. Jessica earned a B.A. in Comparative Literature from the University of Massachusetts and a J.D. with a concentration in juvenile and education law from the University of North Carolina School of Law. She lives in New Hampshire with her husband and two sons and teaches high school English and writing in Vermont.

Education president of the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Jim Shelton’s SXSW EDU keynote Amandla: Powering Everyone’s Potential explored life-long learning. Visit https://www.sxswedu.com/ to learn more about SXSW EDU and subscribe to SXSW EDU on YouTube for more great videos https://www.youtube.com/user/SXSWEDU. More on this video: The world is changing rapidly, presenting challenges and opportunities yet unimagined. Life-long learning has gone from a catchphrase to a survival skill, not just for individuals but in real terms — to save the world. The urgency to broaden our definitions of success in education and leverage new science, strategies, and tools to attend to the needs of the whole child and those who serve them is foundational to building that skill and ensuring a future for everyone. Jim Shelton, President for Education, and former Deputy Secretary of Education under President Barack Obama, manages the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative’s education strategy, partnering with educators, communities and other key stakeholders to produce life changing learning experiences and systems to address the needs of the whole child. Previously, he served as the President and Chief Impact Officer at 2U, Inc., an education technology company that partners with top colleges and universities to bring their degree programs and credit-bearing courses online. He served as the Program Director for Education at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation from 2003 to 2010. Mr. Shelton has held a broad range of management, policy, and programmatic roles aimed at expanding access to personalized learning experience. He holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Morehouse College and Master’s degrees in both business administration and education from Stanford University.

Julia Freeland Fisher’s SXSW EDU featured session, Edtech that Connects: Expanding Student Networks, explores the power and impact of relationships. Visit https://www.sxswedu.com/ to learn more about SXSW EDU and subscribe to SXSW EDU on YouTube for more great videos https://www.youtube.com/user/SXSWEDU. More on this video: Edtech that Connects: Expanding Student Networks Relationships matter. This simple idea can give teachers and school administrators a fresh perspective on how to break the pattern of inequality in American classrooms. Schools can invest in the power of relationships to increase social mobility for their students. Learn about innovative schools that are creating in learning models that strengthen teacher-student relationships and emerging edtech tools that promise to expand students’ networks to experts and mentors from around world. Julia Freeland Fisher is the director of education research at the Clayton Christensen Institute, a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank. She leads a team that informs policymakers and community leaders on the power of disruptive innovation in the K-12 and higher education spheres through its research. Julia’s current research focuses on emerging tools and practices that leverage technology to radically expand who students know – their stock of “social capital” – by enhancing their access to and ability to navigate new peer, mentor, and professional networks. She is the author of the forthcoming book Who You Know: Unlocking Innovations that Expand Students’ Networks (Wiley: Jossey-Bass, 2018). Prior to joining the Institute, Julia worked at NewSchools Venture Fund, a venture philanthropy organization that supports education entrepreneurs who are transforming public education. She also served as an instructor in the Yale College Seminar Program. Julia holds a BA from Princeton University and a JD from Yale Law School.

Stephen K Klasko’s SXSW EDU featured session, Disrupting Medical Education in the Age of AI, reevaluates the skills needed in an age of deep learning, machine cognition and augmented intelligence. Visit https://www.sxswedu.com/ to learn more about SXSW EDU and subscribe to SXSW EDU on YouTube for more great videos https://www.youtube.com/user/SXSWEDU. More on this video: Disrupting Medical Education in the Age of AI With deep learning, machine cognition and augmented intelligence driving change throughout the healthcare industry, it’s time to reevaluate the skill sets needed. The shift from memorization to creative problem-solving with self awareness and empathy at the center is leading to a new way of teaching medical professionals that’s reflective of broader changes in the workforce at large. Drawing on his extensive research, Dr. Stephen Klasko will share his distinctive approach to medical education. DR. STEPHEN KLASKO IS A TRANSFORMATIVE LEADER who uniquely combines creativity and passion with strategic thinking to articulate and implement disruptive ideas for the future. As President and CEO of Philadelphia-based Thomas Jefferson University and Jefferson Health since 2013, he has steered one of the nation’s fastest growing academic health institutions based on his vision of re-imagining health care and higher education. In addition, his 2017 merger of Thomas Jefferson University with Philadelphia University creates a pre-eminent professional university that includes top-20 programs in fashion and design.

Future-focused Success Opportunities for All at SXSW EDU 2018 features Carolina Huaranca (Kapor Capital), Deborah McGriff (NewSchools Venture Fund), Luis Pinto (Learn Capital), and Ajita Talwalker Menon (Lumina Foundation). Visit https://www.sxswedu.com/ to learn more about SXSW EDU and subscribe to SXSW EDU on YouTube for more great videos https://www.youtube.com/user/SXSWEDU. More on this video: Future-focused Success Opportunities for All – Harnessing the forces of ideas, tech, and capital to drive new opportunities for more Americans to get the knowledge needed to succeed requires a focus on new solutions with strong outcomes. For the nation to prosper, this solution set has to focus on reaching populations that are facing unique circumstances that require attention and support. Come and hear from social impact investors who are advancing an agenda for social and economic mobility through the convergence of these forces. Carolina Huaranca Mendoza joined Kapor Capital in 2016 and focuses on identifying early stage investments and partnering with entrepreneurs to grow their companies. She is particularly interested in investments in future work, urban tech, and education. Prior to becoming Principal, she was an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at the Kapor Center for Social Impact (KCSI) working on a tech platform for teacher professional development. Deborah M. McGriff is a Managing Partner with NewSchools Venture Fund where she focuses on closing the demographic gap between students and leaders in education. Through leadership positions at NewSchools Venture Fund and EdisonLearning, she expanded access to innovative, high-quality charter schools for low-income and working class students in 16 of the nation’s largest cities in a dozen states and the District of Columbia. Luis is Operations Partner at Learn Capital, managing external relations with Governments and their stakeholders for Education policy, impact, PPPs and investments. Ajita Talwalker Menon recently relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area after serving in the Obama Administration as Special Assistant to the President for Higher Education Policy at the White House Domestic Policy Council. Ms. Menon focuses her work on supporting government agencies, higher education institutions and systems, non-profit organizations, and philanthropies in their efforts to drive better outcomes in higher education, including serving as Senior Advisor to the CEO of the Lumina Foundation, the nation’s largest private foundation focused solely on increasing Americans’ success in higher education and Senior Advisor to the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges, the nation’s largest community college system serving more than 2.1 million students.

Free Speech & Civil Dialogue Online & on Campus at SXSW EDU 2018, featuring Jeffrey Rosen and Julie Wollman, explores the future of free expression and strategies for civil dialogue. Visit https://www.sxswedu.com/ to learn more about SXSW EDU and subscribe to SXSW EDU on YouTube for more great videos https://www.youtube.com/user/SXSWEDU. – – – “Free Speech & Civil Dialogue Online & on Campus” Video Overview: The need for civil discourse has never been more important or more urgent, yet on campuses and on the web today, the right to free speech has itself sparked debate. National Constitution Center President and CEO Jeffrey Rosen and Widener University President Julie Wollman will explore the future of free expression and strategies for facilitating civil dialogue in campus settings and online, including NCC’s Interactive Constitution and Widener’s Common Ground initiative. Jeffrey Rosen is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Constitution Center, a nonpartisan nonprofit organization whose mission is to educate the public about the U.S. Constitution. Located steps from Independence Hall in Historic Philadelphia, the Center engages millions of citizens as an interactive museum, national town hall, and provider of nonpartisan resources for civic education. Rosen became President and CEO in 2013 and has developed the Center’s acclaimed Interactive Constitution, which brings together the top conservative and liberal legal scholars in America to discuss areas of agreement and disagreement about every clause of the Constitution. The online resource has received more than 15 million hits since launching in 2015. For more than 25 years, Dr. Julie E. Wollman has been a passionate, fearless, and effective advocate and leader in higher education. She is the tenth president of Widener University, a role she assumed in January of 2016. Guided by a relentless pursuit of excellence, she has articulated a clear vision and distinct goals for the university focused on providing an unparalleled student experience.

National Arts Networks & Stories of Impact at SXSW EDU 2018, with Hakim Bellamy and Mario Rossero, explores the networks and stories of impact from national art networks. Visit https://www.sxswedu.com/ to learn more about SXSW EDU and subscribe to SXSW EDU on YouTube for more great videos https://www.youtube.com/user/SXSWEDU. – – – “National Arts Networks & Stories of Impact”” Video Overview: Through a unique suite of national networks we work to remove barriers to equity and access in arts learning. From the strategic collective impact work of Any Given Child to a focus on our most struggling schools through Turnaround Arts, or through the community focus of our Citizen Artist Fellowship, our programs are targeted at combining problems of the field with compatible solutions that can be replicated. We will explore the networks and stories of impact from a selection of these programs.

Fundraising While Millennial: Strategies & Secrets at SXSW EDU 2018, featuring Caroline Howard, Xiaohoa Michelle Ching, Evin Robinson, and Logan Cohen, share why they started, how to pitch and land funding and how to leverage that money into impact. Visit https://www.sxswedu.com/ to learn more about SXSW EDU and subscribe to SXSW EDU on YouTube for more great videos https://www.youtube.com/user/SXSWEDU. – – – “Fundraising While Millennial: Strategies & Secrets”” Video Overview: Three young rock star founders of successful nonprofit and private education startups on why they started, how to pitch and land funding and how to leverage that money into impact.

New York educator, José Luis Vilson’s SXSW EDU featured session, How Educators Lead with Equity in Mind, explores the shifting narrative of teachers as experts. Visit https://www.sxswedu.com/ to learn more about SXSW EDU and subscribe to SXSW EDU on YouTube for more great videos https://www.youtube.com/user/SXSWEDU. – – – “How Educators Lead with Equity in Mind” Video Overview: How do educators help revolutionize the teaching profession? In this talk we explore how shifting the narrative from simple consumers of professional development to experts at the forefront of education reform has a significant impact on promoting equity and accessibility in education. José Luis Vilson is a math educator, blogger, speaker, and activist in New York City, NY. He is the author of This Is Not A Test: A New Narrative on Race, Class, and Education, and has spoken about education, math, and race for a number of organizations and publications, including The New York Times, Education Week, The Guardian, Al Jazeera America, Huffington Post, Edutopia, GOOD, and El Diario / La Prensa, NY. He is the founder of EduColor, a Math for America fellow and a National Board Certified teacher. – – – More About SXSW EDU: The SXSW EDU Conference & Festival cultivates and empowers a community of engaged stakeholders to advance teaching and learning. SXSW EDU is a component of the South by Southwest® (SXSW®) family of conferences and festivals. Internationally recognized as the convergence gathering for creative professionals, SXSWedu extends SXSW’s support for the art of engagement to include society’s true rock stars: educators!

At SXSW EDU 2018 Manoush Zomorodi and JP Connolly’s featured session, Human Skills for Digital Natives, explores the changing digital landscape. Visit https://www.sxswedu.com/ to learn more about SXSW EDU and subscribe to SXSW EDU on YouTube for more great videos https://www.youtube.com/user/SXSWEDU. – – – “Human Skills for Digital Natives”” Video Overview: In today’s landscape where change is the only constant, how can schools ensure that today’s students are thriving in increasingly digital environments? In this session, we’ll provide attendees with an interdisciplinary and innovative vision for improved digital health and literacy education. By incorporating neuroscience, behavioral economics, and purposeful digital design, this framework will illuminate how we can best help students become healthy and informed citizens, online and off. Manoush is the author of Bored and Brilliant. Find her @manoushz on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook and the podcast @NoteToSelf at NoteToSelfRadio.org JP Connolly is an educator, microbiologist, technologist, baker, tinkerer and amateur engineer, and currently serves as the Director of Technology and MS/HS Science teacher at Saint Ann’s School in Brooklyn, NY. A Baltimore native, JP has undergraduate degrees in Biology and Japanese and a Masters in Microbiology and Immunology, and worked as a research fellow at Osaka University in Japan before settling in NYC and beginning his work in K-12 education at Saint Ann’s. JP serves on the NY State Association of Independent Schools Technology Committee, is an emeritus President of the New York Consortium of Independent School Technologists, and works to encourage the integration of neuroscience, pedagogy-driven instructional technology, mindfulness, ethics and equity into K-12 curricula of all types. JP is perpetually inspired by his students and sons, who are continue to be his best teachers.

Chicago Beyond Founder Liz Dozier’s SXSW EDU 2018 talk, Justice & Opportunity Through Disruption, takes a powerful and realistic look at disrupting the hopelessness that confronts many of our nation’s young people. Visit https://goo.gl/FGJHhA to learn more about SXSW EDU and SUBSCRIBE to SXSW EDU on YouTube for more great videos http://www.youtube.com/subscription_c…. Do we believe every child deserves the freedom to tap into their fullest human potential? In our country’s most marginalized communities, there are too many instances where we are failing to provide youth with educational and economic opportunity. Disruption means breaking that cycle. We do it elsewhere – think taxis and shopping malls. Now think Uber and Amazon. Join Liz Dozier for a powerful and realistic look at disrupting the hopelessness that confronts many of our nation’s young people. About SXSW EDU: The SXSW EDU Conference & Festival cultivates and empowers a community of engaged stakeholders to advance teaching and learning. SXSW EDU is a component of the South by Southwest® (SXSW®) family of conferences and festivals. Internationally recognized as the convergence gathering for creative professionals, SXSWedu extends SXSW’s support for the art of engagement to include society’s true rock stars: educators!

Reinventing Corporate Education with Anant Agarwal, Mark Cousino & TC Haldi, at SXSW EDU 2018, explores innovative ideas and how companies can invest in talent to drive better results, faster. Visit https://goo.gl/NUpxKV to learn more about SXSW EDU and SUBSRIBE to SXSW EDU on YouTube for more great videos http://www.youtube.com/subscription_c…. Today’s corporate training—off-the-shelf, expensive, and inefficient—is broken. It doesn’t provide in-demand skills, benefit your employees or your bottom line. Employees know this and have moved on to new solutions that you should be more actively engaged with. Join experts from edX and Boeing to discuss innovative ideas to solve this challenge. Is there a role for universities to help deliver better quality? How can companies invest in talent to drive better results, faster? About SXSW EDU: The SXSW EDU Conference & Festival cultivates and empowers a community of engaged stakeholders to advance teaching and learning. SXSW EDU is a component of the South by Southwest® (SXSW®) family of conferences and festivals. Internationally recognized as the convergence gathering for creative professionals, SXSWedu extends SXSW’s support for the art of engagement to include society’s true rock stars: educators!

Speakers: Christopher Cabaldon, Karen Freeman-Wilson, Darrell Steinberg Mayors discuss innovative approaches mayors are taking through college promise programs, digital badges, place-based work experiences, and more. Discover how a comprehensive and collaborative approach with schools, higher ed, employers, and local government can stimulate your talent pipeline. About SXSW EDU: The SXSW EDU Conference & Festival cultivates and empowers a community of engaged stakeholders to advance teaching and learning. SXSW EDU is a component of the South by Southwest® (SXSW®) family of conferences and festivals. Internationally recognized as the convergence gathering for creative professionals, SXSWedu extends SXSW’s support for the art of engagement to include society’s true rock stars: educators!

Speakers: Betsy DeVos, Anant Agarwal, David Clayton, Ben Wallerstein U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos continues to encourage educators and policymakers to rethink education. Secretary DeVos provides opening remarks and moderates a panel discussion on the need for higher education to embrace innovation and creative thinking in preparing students for success in the 21st century. About SXSW EDU: The SXSW EDU Conference & Festival cultivates and empowers a community of engaged stakeholders to advance teaching and learning. SXSW EDU is a component of the South by Southwest® (SXSW®) family of conferences and festivals. Internationally recognized as the convergence gathering for creative professionals, SXSWedu extends SXSW’s support for the art of engagement to include society’s true rock stars: educators!

Speakers: Rahn Dorsey, Sarah Groh, Sarah Iddrissu, Dr Gisele C Shorter Researchers and evidence-based nonprofit partners work together with local communities to translate research and practice into responsive public policy. Speakers address topics from housing instability and food insecurity, to natural disasters and gun violence, to trauma and adversity that deeply affect children’s ability to learn and thrive. Panelists discuss authentic stakeholder engagement and the role policy makers can play to drive resources towards evidence-based, trauma-informed practices. About SXSW EDU: The SXSW EDU Conference & Festival cultivates and empowers a community of engaged stakeholders to advance teaching and learning. SXSW EDU is a component of the South by Southwest® (SXSW®) family of conferences and festivals. Internationally recognized as the convergence gathering for creative professionals, SXSWedu extends SXSW’s support for the art of engagement to include society’s true rock stars: educators!

Speakers: Juan Cabrera, Paul Cruz, Barbara Jenkins, Liz Willen By embracing the inherent strengths of a multilingual community and “leaning in” to bilingualism and ethnic diversity, city schools like El Paso, Austin, and Orlando are changing their value proposition within their communities as 21st-century skills and global-ready workforce incubators. The panel shares their strategies for scaling and supporting dual language schools. About SXSW EDU: The SXSW EDU Conference & Festival cultivates and empowers a community of engaged stakeholders to advance teaching and learning. SXSW EDU is a component of the South by Southwest® (SXSW®) family of conferences and festivals. Internationally recognized as the convergence gathering for creative professionals, SXSWedu extends SXSW’s support for the art of engagement to include society’s true rock stars: educators!

ESSA & Music Education: Impact & Opportunity, featuring Tiffany Kerns, Eric Ebel, and Jane Best at SXSW EDU 2018, explores how the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) has changed the landscape for music education. Visit https://goo.gl/5qbsxS to learn more about SXSW EDU and SUBSRIBE to SXSW EDU on YouTube for more great videos http://www.youtube.com/subscription_c…. Although most people agree that music education is a positive addition to school curriculum, these programs have often been left on the cutting-room-floor after budget allocations and funding. The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) has changed the landscape for music education. The act emphasized a holistic education for students. It recognizes music education as an integral part to a well-rounded education. This law is groundbreaking. Learn how you can support music ed. in your community. About SXSW EDU: The SXSW EDU Conference & Festival cultivates and empowers a community of engaged stakeholders to advance teaching and learning. SXSW EDU is a component of the South by Southwest® (SXSW®) family of conferences and festivals. Internationally recognized as the convergence gathering for creative professionals, SXSWedu extends SXSW’s support for the art of engagement to include society’s true rock stars: educators!