Sunday, June 8, 2014

16 Conference picks for innovative educators in the upcoming school year

The Innovative Educator in the Social Media Booth at NYSCATE 13




As the 13/14 school year comes to a close, it's time to think about what events and conferences to attend for the next year.  While I certainly won't be attending all these conferences below are my top picks listed in chronological order. They include a link to the conference, brief description, approximate dates (if they are not yet scheduled) based on previous years and non-member, full costs (some are estimates based on previous years) which include pre-conference fees. 

Take a look.  See what you think and share which conferences you are attending and why you made that choice.

Event NameDescriptionCityStart dateEnd dateEvent cost
Student Voice LiveThis year, Student Voice Live! will once again unite supporters to engage in education conversations, but through a different means. The 2014 Student Voice Live! conference will go beyond the traditional conference think-tank process and expand to showcase examples of Student Voice in action.

Student Voice Live! will incorporate community-driven discussion with keynote speakers to create a hub of engagement that will augment our collective vision to incorporate student voices in the design of educational experiences.
Manhattan, New York9/20149/2014$0.00
The Bammy AwardsThe Bammy Awards is a national celebration of the value of education, educators and life-long learning. The honors are presented by the Academy of Education Arts and Sciences International, which includes an eclectic cadre of leading educators, education leaders, education professors, journalists, editors, researchers, commentators, advocates, activists, visionaries and pioneers.Washington DC9/27/20149/28/2014$0.00
Tech ForumTech Forum represents "Tech & Learning in action." Now in its twelfth season, this high-powered, one-day event provides K-12 decision makers with thought-provoking content on the hottest topics of the day in education technology. An engaging and intimate setting, expert presentations, and plenty of networking opportunities ensure that participants leave with practical tools and key contacts for continued rich communities of practice. Westchester, New York10/17/201410/17/2014$315.00
ASCD CONFERENCE ON EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIPASCD is where leadership expertise in education finds its knowledge center and heart. Whether your leadership imperatives are in a classroom, a school, or systemwide, this ASCD event will address your needs with immediate and practical solutions.Orlando, Fl10/30/201411/2/2014$762.00
iNacolThe iNACOL Blended and Online Learning Symposium  annual conference is the industry’s leading event for K-12 online, blended and competency-based learning and gathers experts, leading practitioners and educators, policymakers, researchers and innovators from throughout the field.Palm Springs, CA11/4/201411/7/2014$874.00
Coalition for Essential Schools - Fall ForumWhat are your thoughts on what the Common Principles have to say about how we educate in the age of the Common Core? This year’s theme for Fall Forum is sure to spark rich and provocative conversation and learning. And it could not come at a more opportune time in the history of education reform. Come November, how will you reflect on the past 30 years of Common Principles and Uncommon schools in collaboration with other essential educators to approach the Common Core with the collective knowledge of how to produce uncommon results for students?San Francisco, CA11/7/201411/9/2014$189.00
NYSCATENYSCATE is an organization of dedicated technology using educators, committed to transforming teaching and learning, in order to provide our children with an education that prepares them to live satisfying and productive lives.  Rochester, NY11/23/201411/25/2014$225.00
Communicating with Power and PresenceFor professionals who make presentations, speak in public, lead team meetings and groups, and want to sharpen their communication skills. Whether you are interacting one-on-one, presenting to a small client group, or delivering a keynote address to thousands, Communicating with Power and Presence will enhance your effectiveness dramatically. Includes online modules as well.New York City12/3/201412/4/2014$2,500.00
EduConEduCon is both a conversation and a conference. It is an innovation conference where we can come together, both in person and virtually, to discuss the future of schools. Every session will be an opportunity to discuss and debate ideas — from the very practical to the big dreams.Philadelphia, PA1/23/20151/25/2015$200.00
South by Southwest EduSXSWedu seeks to drive meaningful conversation and collaboration around promising practices to improve teaching and learning. Programming is designed for SXSWedu’s diverse audience of education stakeholders, all of whom are committed to creating a brighter tomorrow. SXSWedu highlights thought-provoking Featured and Keynote Speakers in special sessions that bring to light today's leading topics and trends in education.Austin, TX3/9/20153/12/2015$395.00
CoSN Annual Conference is designed for education leaders to better understand their changing roles in creating the new face of learning. Continuously Connected…in our hyper-connected world, people are always on, collaborating, communicating, and creating. Educators are tasked with harnessing that energy and connection to develop the next generation of critical, thoughtful thinkers.
Atlanta, GA
3/16/2015
3/18/2015
$750.00
Constantly Learning…explores how school systems can create digital learning ecosystems to challenge and inspire their students, encourage innovation, and deepen learning.
AERO ConferenceThis is the time for the education revolution, to empower all students, to make learner-centered education possible everywhere.Conference keynotes and presentations are connected to AERO's mission "to help create an education revolution to make learner-centered education available to everyone."Long Island University, CW Post Campus6/25/20156/28/2015$275.00
ASCD Conference on Teaching ExcellenceNew Common Core shifts in teaching practices and heightened emphasis on teacher effectiveness challenge schools everywhere to reexamine their instructional approaches and get up-to-date on successful new strategies. The ASCD Conference on Teaching Excellence lets you and your colleagues do all this and more. Spend two-and-a-half days getting what your school needs to be successful all year long.Grapevine, TX6/25/20156/28/2015$493.00
ISTE Annual Conference and ExpoPart idea incubator and part collaborative workspace, ISTE’s conference and expo brings educators of all types and grade levels together to share discoveries and develop solutions for their greatest challenges—all while connecting to a global network of education resources.Philadelphia, PA6/28/20157/1/2015$448.00
Building Learning CommunitiesJoin colleagues from around the world who care deeply about bringing the best innovative and practical learning resources to our students. Our 15th BLC education conference will provide you with inspiration, practical skills and expand your professional network with educators from around the world.Boston, MA7/12/20157/17/2015$700
EdCampEdCamp provides sessions by educators for educators. The conference events are decided in the morning as participants put on a board the session(s) they would like to lead. Then those who would like to attend, attend. WorldwideOngoing$00.00

A little background on some choices:

An important note is that I live in New York City so the choices tend to be those in my vicinity and within the U.S. rather than global due to budget constraints.  

As far as content, the biggest part of these conferences is connecting f2f with the folks I've generally only been able to connect with online. For that I've found the Bammys to terrific. 

I also enjoy conferences that are conversations with those whom I generally only have the opportunity to converse online. EduCon and Tech Forum are great for that. 

I like ISTE because of the Hack Education / ISTE Unplugged work Steve Hargadon does there. Love the format and intimacy and gives folks from my learning network (and me) a chance to strut our stuff. I also enjoy connecting with other bloggers at the Blogger's Cafe.

AERO provides access to so many alternative ways to learn and has a whole program for helping people start their own schools. Pretty powerful. 

Communicating with Power and Presence has gotten rave reviews from people I trust and respect. Having such high level support to help one powerfully convey their ideas is quite valuable. 

NYSCATE had tons of hands on opportunities, great networking, and they did a great job with social media and helping folks become Twitterate and more. I wrote about that here http://theinnovativeeducator.blogspot.com/.../nyscate13...

Building Learning Communities has a great leadership strand allowing for powerful connections and idea building. Alan November has done a great job of inspiring leaders himself and bringing others together to do that.  

I have personally had valuable takeaways from each of these events. 

My very favorite learning opportunity however is having folks over to my home. I have been fortunate to have many take me up on the offer. Together we have learned, laughed, and had a wonderful time.  

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