SXSWEDU

SxSW EDU: The future of learning and innovation in 2021

Annual education and ed tech conference looks at the future of education, equity, upskilling, and more
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The annual SxSW EDU conference is underway. The three-day digital experience features keynotes, panel sessions, screenings, showcases, networking, and exhibitions through Thursday.

The focus, as always is on the future of learning and innovation, and this year there is added focus on the post-pandemic recovery, remote learning, upskilling, and diversity and inclusion.

Today, Oprah Winfrey and Dr. Bruce Perry lead the opening keynote discussion on the impact of childhood trauma on who we become, the decisions we make, and how healing must start with one question ‘what happened to you?’

Kimberly Bryant, Founder and CEO of Black Girls CODE and Reshma Saujani, Founder and CEO of Girls Who Code will be in conversation for Wednesday’s keynote discussion on the gender gap in computing and programming, especially in underrepresented groups.

On the final day of SXSW EDU Online programming, author Nic Stone and Brittany Hogan, Director of Educational Equity and Diversity at Rockwood School District, will give their individual and collective thoughts and ideas about how diverse literature can change the hearts and minds of students in the keynote, Empathy in Equity: Author and Educator.

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At 5pm CT today, WorkingNation presents A Conversation with Craig Newmark, a special Work in Progress podcast for SxSW EDU. Craig Newmark is one of the original tech billionaires, starting Craig’s List in 1995. Since 2016, Newmark’s spent the bulk of his time and money on philanthropy, donating to causes ranging from food insecurity, women in tech, fighting for teachers, veterans and their families, trustworthy journalism, local media, and more.

Newmark recently sat down with WorkingNation editor-in-chief Ramona Schindelheim to discuss the issues he’s funding through his Craig Newmark Philanthropies.

Tomorrow, at 1pm CT, Jamie Merisotis, president of Lumina Foundation, will moderate Will Robots Displace Workers of Color. Throughout the country, Blacks workers disproportionately perform repetitive job tasks that will disappear with increasing use of automation, AI, and robotics. How do we ensure they are prepared for the work that will replace these lost jobs, human work?

WorkingNation produced the session, which features an original short video. Panel members include Spencer Overton, president of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies; Vilas Dhar, president of the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation; and Cecilia Muñoz, senior advisor to New America.

WorkingNation is an official media partner of SxSW EDU. Stop by the Exhibition Hall and look for the virtual WorkingNation booth to contact us and to find out what we have in store for the rest of the year.

You can still register for the SxSW EDU Online conference here.