What you won't learn at SXSWedu

If you go to SXSWedu hoping to learn lots of new tech tools and hear from educators who are in the field of education—you may be disappointed. I am not saying that there aren’t educators at SXSWedu, but it is a different feel and a different kind of conference.

However, that is what makes SXSWedu refreshing. It is almost like an “unconference” within the structure of a conference.

You can attend sessions/panels/hear from big names/attend keynotes/watch films/sign up for mentoring sessions. There is some opportunity for making—trying out 3D printers, building robots and a few random apps and websites—but that is not the focus of SXSWedu. (If that is more your style, you should go to TCEA. Or go to both!)  

What you can do at SXSWedu is plentiful. 

You can expand your learning. You can tweet. You can attend sessions based on topics that interest you. You can hear from futurists: and hear the vision and predictions about how education will change. 

From the Keynote speech on Wednesday morning, from Jane McGonigal. "I am making the future." 

You can also hear from entrepreneurs and people who are pushing their own products. (Which sounds a lot more negative than it is. I feel like you can learn a lot from an entrepreneur.)

You can network with people from other states and countries. You can have discussions about hot topics in education. 

Truly, to me SXSWedu is indicative of what Austin is really about.

Another person I loved hearing from was Lizzie Velasquez. She has an amazing story and is a great speaker on bullying! 

When you think about what Austin represents, not only is the city in Texas—but it is a city that is known for music, the tech industry, the University of Texas, bluebonnets, “Keeping Austin Weird,” breakfast tacos, and food trailers.  (I am sure there is more, but I digress.)

And, for me as an educator, when I leave SXSWedu, I leave with a sense and a hope that education is changing. I feel like our kids deserve it.