This year’s SXSW EDU conference in Austin, Texas is almost here! We are excited to share that a number of our partners will be presenting at various panel discussions, tackling diverse issues such as creating data-driven, personalized education, emerging partnerships in education R&D, and how we can make promising new ed tech accessible to every student who needs it. Review the panels below and bookmark the ones that spark your interest to add to your conference schedule.
How Federal Partnerships are Transforming Ed R&D
Changemakers in philanthropy and government are investing in education research and development, but often operate separately, slowing down major breakthroughs in education R&D. However, new opportunities, competitions, and grants spearheaded by partnerships with philanthropy and government are changing how the nation creates and funds opportunities. Join this panel for a conversation with the leaders combining forces and some of the applicants as they share the promise and possibility of a collaborative approach to education R&D.
Speakers
Joanna Cannon
Walton Family Foundation
James L. Moore III
National Science Foundation
Benjamin Motz
Indiana University
Aparna Ramanathan
Sound Town
When: March 5, 4pm CT
Where: Austin Convention Center, Room 17AB
Why Education Needs More Big Bets
The ways we teach and learn are changing faster than ever before, but how can we spur innovation that creates positive impacts for all learners? What big bets are needed? From deploying AI to new models of learning, this panel will discuss how we can make big bets – like establishing a DARPA for education – to foster innovation and create true 21st-century learning. Join these experts from edtech, policy, and higher education to learn more about the ecosystem creating, scaling, and harnessing innovation from policy to the classroom.
Speakers
John Bailey
American Enterprise Institute
Klinton Bicknell
Duolingo
Titilola Harley
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Roberto Rodríguez
U.S. Department of Education
When: March 6, 2:30 pm CT
Where: Austin Convention Center, Room 18CD
Making the Most of Middle School Math
Middle school math skills are directly connected to later success in high school and career, but only 26 percent of 8th graders are math proficient. New technologies can shift that, however, offering new opportunities to close opportunity gaps – especially for our most vulnerable students. Learn about solutions turning the tide in student performance in a conversation with leaders prioritizing the importance of middle school math.
Speakers
Sidney DMello
The University of Colorado at Boulder
Kumar Garg
Schmidt Futures
Bryan Richardson
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Jamie Sterling
Carnegie Learning
When: March 6, 11:30 am CT
Where: Austin Convention Center, Room 18CD
Creating a Data-Driven, Personalized Education System
New innovations like Learning and Employment Records, virtual wallets, and digital badges hold a lot of promise with these innovations making it potentially much easier for students to navigate their path from education to career. But efforts to modernize the nation’s data systems are nascent and could potentially exacerbate equity issues. Join this panel with representatives from student groups, philanthropy, education, and innovation as they discuss how to reform data and data infrastructure to make it work for all students.
Speakers
Michele Leardo
Walton Family Foundation
Nick Moore
Alabama Governor’s Office of Education & Workforce Transformation
Chris Purifoy
Learning Economy Foundation
Arivumani Srivastava
Kentucky Student Voice Team
When: March 6, 1 pm CT
Where: Austin Convention Center, Room 9AB
EdTech vs. TechEd: Making Emerging Technology Accessible
We have invested 90% of resources in education technology and 10% in technology education. But with AI changing the skills students need for tomorrow, learners must understand the technologies underneath emerging edtech, rather than simply using them. So how can we support students and instructors with tools that develop 21st-century competencies? Join this panel for a discussion on the tools for content delivery, assessment, and instructional support that meet next-level learning experiences and what teaching about, and not just with, technology offers a post-ChatGPT world.
Speakers
Leigh Ann Delyser
CSforALL
Zarek Drozda
Data Science 4 Everyone
Alex Kotran
The AI Education Project
Albert Palacios
White House Office Of The National Cyber Director
When: March 4, 11:30 am CT
Where: Austin Convention Center, Room 12AB
Making Data Science That’s Really for Everyone
Even though the data revolution will impact every student, data science programs are often out of reach for diverse learners – and especially for students with disabilities. However, advocates are taking this as a call to action, creating innovative approaches that make data science accessible to every student. Join this panel for a conversation about how we’re making data science education that’s really for everyone. From accessible tools to approaches that celebrate disability as a fundamental component of diversity, these leaders are transforming who can thrive in the data future.
Speakers
Sarah Brasiel
Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Special Education Research
Nick Evershed
The Guardian
Linda Loomis
Maryland State Department of Education
Andreas Stefik
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
When: March 5, 1 pm CT
Where: Austin Convention Center, Room 10AB
Strength in Borders: Sourcing Global Data Science Innovation
U.S. education leaders lament our relative progress to other countries, but do little to proactively collaborate with those who are charging ahead. But K-12 data science does things differently. Born from global collaboration, data science education advocates leveraged global connections to accelerate a new field from its inception. From the first-ever cross-country K-12 learning framework to international exchange of research and curricula models, join us to learn how going global made data science education a reality and what lessons we can learn from our partners across the globe.
Speakers
Kate Farrell
University of Edinburgh, Moray House School of Education
Tue Halgreen
Organization for Economic Cooperation & Development
Ronit Nehemia
Israel Ministry of Education
Conrad Wolfram
Wolfram Research Europe
When: March 7, 10 am CT
Where: Austin Convention Center, Room 10AB
Meet Up: Teaching Math in the World of AI
Everyone knows that artificial intelligence is changing the ways we teach and learn. But these rapidly changing technologies are also serving as an inspiration and a call for action among math educators seeking to energize their teaching for the 21st-century – or to simply answer the many questions from their students. From incorporating data science concepts to ensuring that math includes connections that are meaningful for students, the options are endless. Join this meet up to collaborate, ask questions, learn from each other, and come away ready to take on teaching math in an AI world.
Hosts
Zarek Drozda & Mahmoud Harding
Data Science 4 Everyone
When: March 6, 4 pm CT
Where: Hilton Austin Downtown, Room 400
