Conferences can be an amazing place for educators to deeply question existing structures and biases, gather information, and make lasting social and professional connections. We are in a different environment now though in the midst of a global pandemic. In the past I’ve shared about the insights I’ve garnered from events like a local CS Teachers Conference or at larger international conferences like ISTE. It’s difficult to know whether those same opportunities for learning through hands-on presentations and social events can translate to a remote space. In New York City, we’ve had a little experience with that already having help multiple social/training events including our EdCamps, Google Educator Group Get Togethers, Microsoft Meetups, or Apple After Hours where hundreds of NYC teachers, vendors, and national EdTech experts have met and had meaningful conversations (and a few informal presentations) along with games and some impromptu jam sessions. If the responses of those attendees is any indication, the events are still meaningful, illuminating, and possibly even more necessary in a time of such change. So without further ado, here are a handful of learning conferences I’ve been excited about.
Educator Groups
Global EdTech Academy
The Global EdTech Academy, sponsored by Microsoft and CUE is an amazing and free learning opportunity that is already underway and continues on for weeks. Join the live Teams sessions, master classes, and office hours with some of the biggest names in edtech like Matt Miller, Ken Shelton, Holly Clark, Michael Cohen, Sarah Thomas and more. That means you’re not only learning from them directly, but it is in a forum where you can ask individual questions and get direct training! Don’t worry if you missed sessions as they can be found in the recording area
ISTE SUmmer Learning Academy
ISTE, the foremost educational technology organization, postponed their major summer conference until November, but they are offering a Summer Learning Academy that offers online learning support in a flexible format to help prepare schools this fall. Educators who successfully complete the program can earn continuing education units and graduate-level credit. It’s 3 weeks of learning from July 13-31 that includes webinars, microcourses, and learning community connections for learning for only $20.
Rethink Learning Summit
Join educators from around the world at the Rethink Learning Summit as we pause, breathe, and reflect over what we are experiencing with COVID-19 and what the future of learning may hold. Many educators will be sharing their expertise, including myself, on a wide range of educational topics from equity to game-based learning. There will be a breadth of exclusive resources and templates provided related to the conversations that can shift education forward. The conference consists of 20+ sessions over 2 days (July 20-21), but attendees will have access to the content for a full year afterwards. The registration/access cost is $49.
Engage with the global education community in conversations that can lead to powerful shifts in what we do moving forward.
The Future of Work + Higher Education
Join the Future Of Work + Higher Education webinar where Future Design School Founder, Sarah Prevette in conversation with David Agnew, President of Seneca College on the future of higher education and the emerging workforce being shaped by our current crisis. They will share their insights on this transformational moment on June 4th starting at 12:30 EST.
EdTech Week
EdTech Week launches today with free sessions sponsored by StartEd and Catalyst @ Penn GSE reimagined as a series of remote learning and networking events for the education and workforce learning community. This includes faculty, researchers, thought leaders, and entrepreneurs who will gather and wrestle with the idea of what a post COVID-19 education world looks like. And it will not be the same as before.
Regional
TeachNeetNJ
TeachMeetNJ is usually an in-person event that allows New jersey Educators (and some of us nearby) to join together and is an unconference that is fast moving, tech sharing, friend making, never boring gathering of people sharing web 2.0 tools for education. In the past it was always 2 20 minutes sessions every hour which kept it flying. While that doesn’t leave much time for in-depth discussions, it does mean even people with short attention spans like me keep engaged and take away a lot. You can even sign up to present a session.
#NYCSchoolsTech Summit
The #NYCSchoolsTech Summit will still take place in July, but the format will not be in person. Details about available sessions, formats, and keynote speakers are still being determined. But one thing that is sure is that it will continue to be an amazing opportunity for NYC educators to learn, connect, and grow.
App Specific COnferences
Flipgrid Live 2020
Flipgrid Live is always a raucous and festive celebration where educators share stories of empowering student voices, play games, and learn details about new features. Last year the augmented reality QR Codes were all the rage, and I wore a QR code suit to match it. Flipgrid Live 2020 is an effort to make that happen for a much broader audience in a virtual space while trying to maintain that energy. I’m excited to join in.
Wakelet Community Week
A week of events that kick off today June 1st at noon with an exclusive, action packed event recapping the year, announcing amazing new features, and sharing inspiring stories from the Wakelet community. There will also be webinars and keynote sessions AppSmashing, equity, infused classrooms, and more through June 5th. There are also daily competitions where dozens of prizes are given away daily. Check out the full schedule.
Global google Educator Group
Join the Global GEG for a Google Level 1 Bootcamp as well as a number of other Googley sessions starting June 4th. Just head to the sign-up form, fill out the details, and indicate the sessions you are interested in for more information. There are forms for mental health conversations and an Open Chat with Innovators as well.
These are just a few of the opportunities I thought were worth sharing specifically. I hope to see some of you there, and I will continue to share the insights others help lead me to.
