Our Four Key Takeaways from SXSW EDU
If you didn’t attend SXSW EDU this week, don’t worry because we’re sharing our top four takeaways from the conference. As the founders of Xyza, we attended to learn from experts, talk to industry leaders, and discover the shifts and trends in education.
We heard from former Florida Governor Jeb Bush talk about policy and the need for immersive and customized learning environments. We listened as esteemed journalist @DanRather interviewed young activist and co-founder of the @AMarch4ourlives movement @davidhogg111 to reveal why he had to take action and mobilize students around the country after a shooting at his high school killed seventeen people. We marveled as fourteen-year-old author Marley Emerson Dias shared how her curiosity turned into a movement to get #1000BlackGirlBooks into schools. These thought-provoking sessions and amazing conversations with changemakers inspired and energized us, and we are excited by potential collaborations to take learning to the next level.
We left the conference reinvigorated by the message that:
- Art programs matter.
- Empowering student voices empowers learning.
- Technology is fabulous, but so is print.
- Libraries serve a significant role in learning.
Art Programs Matter. As we heard David Hogg speak about his interest in journalism, speech, debate, and the arts, we left confident in our deep-rooted conviction that arts, writing, and critical thinking will continue to matter more than ever before. Sparking curiosity and sometimes even an active debate at dinner tables and in classrooms is a good thing!
Empowering Student Voices Empowers Learning. This message was loud and clear in the sessions we attended about integrating hip-hop into education, gaming in learning, and more. To us, student voices might represent “shy” people answering a news poll, or they might represent those sharing a passionate perspective on why this year’s Super Bowl was exciting. They might even represent those who offer a two-line perspective on role models. They’re all examples of student voices, and as our Junior Reporter program grows in leaps and bounds, we hope to encourage these voices more and more.
Technology Is Fabulous, But So Is Print. Surprised? We’re calling it: Print. Still. Matters. If companies and organizations are working to bring a tablet or computer to every student in school, at home, and in the classroom, we can’t wait. But as long as there are educators who have limited use of printers, and the idea of “an iPad for every student” is a far reality, we know that print will continue to matter. Our printed newspaper is not an old-fashioned way of thinking about education; it’s reality for many in the US today. At @sxswedu, we were fortunate enough to chat with educators from rural areas in Idaho and remote parts of Texas who are looking for access to resources and hoping technology is not an impediment. That’s why we believe that news in print is important.
Libraries Serve A Significant Role In Learning. Libraries are back in a big way, but did they ever go away? We didn’t think so. But the resurgence in real conversations about libraries, the democracy they deliver, and the ways they could be one of the most effective forms of delivering knowledge was heartening to hear. We saw librarians learning and actively working towards equitable access to knowledge. Librarians form an essential backbone to our educator network, and we were thrilled to see how they continue to innovate.
Thank you, SXSW EDU! We are excited about the future of education, and just as excited about our work ahead at Xyza. If you’re interested in learning more about our school programs and subscriptions, as well as collaboration and partnership opportunities, reach out to us at info@xyzanews.com.
