“Education Conferences — the Top Five Most Innovative Coming in 2021”
By: Richard Kuder
Tags: Education Reform, Educational Technology, Education Conferences

Education Conferences will be different

Education conferences will be different.

Education Conferences in 2020 moved into the virtual space. Some utilized unique platforms and strategies to engage attendees while others had webinar upon webinar.

What will be different in 2021?

There will be lingering effects of virtual engagement — the highly engaging avatar based-platforms that emerged this year aren’t going away. Some conferences will move back into the physical space — but “hy-flex” or hybrid and flexible learning will promote a combination of in-person and online engagement. Audiences will expand — local and regional conferences will widen their reach with asynchronous and synchronous engagement across the globe. Participants will expect more — the traditional form of conferences with one-directional talks, limited access to experts, and largely sales-driven content will no longer be tolerated because networking norms have moved into the virtual space. Participants no longer need in-person conferences to meet people. More grassroots conferences — with ease of virtual access and low financial investment to produce a conference, more industry practitioners will create convenings without big-business backing.

Churchill reportedly said, “ Never let a crisis go to waste.” As educational leaders, we have pushed forward new ideas and new practices and rethought how best to meet teachers’ and students’ needs in the classroom. In 2021, nothing about getting “back to normal” should move us backward. Our education lives will be different and they should be.

Education Conferences to look out for in 2021

The City of Learning Education Unconference (free) — Produced by educators, this is the first gamified virtual unconference, ever. Join hundreds of other teachers and educators from around the world in “choosing your own adventure” as an avatar, in the style of an 80’s video game. The completely live program includes short TED-style talks from top leaders in schooling and edtech, immersive hands-on workshops facilitated by innovative and veteran educators, informal themed networking at the cafe and bar, free resources, edtech products, games, and even secret rooms and portals to discover.

SXSW Edu ($89) — This annual education innovation-focused conference hosts educators in Austin, TX, but is moving online in 2021. Although they have not yet released their digital experience, advisory team members are looking to avatar based platforms and involved with the City of Learning (above) to learn from best practices. With most of its attendees involved in technology in some way, it is sure to continue to innovate into the virtual environment in 2021.

ISTE 2021 ($550+ in previous years) — Powered by Microsoft and the Chan-Zuckerberg Initiative, this annual education technology conference is most well known for showcasing practitioners in the field. Having held the virtual conference via web conferencing in 2020, ISTE is looking to step up its virtual engagement with new formats for its June 2021 conference. Offers both asynchronous and synchronous sessions.

PBL World ($600+) — Innovative doesn’t always mean technology enabled. Hosted by PBL Works, PBL World is particularly different in content because it’s practical and focused on project-based learning across remote and in-person scenarios. Experts in PBL pedagogy appropriate for all ages, disciplines, schooling types, and child development levels, PBL World is sure to leave participants with new ideas and strategies. In 2021, the program will be held online over four days.

ASU/GSV ($3,500+) — Scheduled for July, ASU/GSV is planning for all scenarios with a partial in-person and online conference experience. Having hosted all webinar-style conferencing in 2020 with an avatar-based networking hour, ASU/GSV will likely take advantage of the “hy-flex” era and produce an experience that will be relevant and visionary to the future of conferencing…well, for its price tag, it better.

Education conferences that provide value to your context are not the easiest to find. The five above have something for everyone and are sure to be the most intriguing next year.