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edtech-teaching-conferences

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There are two types of teachers: the ones who have never been to an edtech conference before and those who are counting down the days until they get to go back!

If you belong to the former category, you might be wondering what all the fuss is about. After all, don’t you work hard enough in the classroom without having to attend a conference on top of everything else?

The truth is that edtech conferences are good for the soul. (Yes, we said it.) Why, you may wonder? We thought you’d never ask.

First of all, hitting up one of the many available edtech conferences will give you the opportunity to connect with tons of other amazing teachers just like you.

If you’re a teacher who’s big on Twitter, then it’s a great chance to continue expanding your PLN or get to meet some of your online colleagues in person!

There’s nothing like spending time with other teachers who understand your frustrations and get your jokes to re-energize you and make you feel heard. Sometimes family and friends just don’t get it!

Then, there’s all that juicy new knowledge you’ll be acquiring. The cool thing about edtech is that it’s all designed to make your life easier and to help your students engage with the learning process – what’s not to love?

Bonus points: your admin will be psyched to hear about everything you learned, allowing you to have a direct impact on what edtech tools your school decides to move forward with. Power to the teachers!

But if meeting some amazing teachers and discovering exciting new classroom technologies isn’t enough for you, think of it as a work vacation. A cushy hotel to stay in, dinner and drinks with your new friends, and no dishes to do or dogs to walk… don’t you deserve a mini-vacay?

Keep reading and we’ll clue you in on the best edtech conferences for the 2019-2020 school year that we know you’ll love.

EdSurge Fusion: November 4-6, 2019, Burlingame, CA

If you’re looking to get in a fall conference, pack your bags for the west coast! Taking place just south of San Francisco, this year’s EdSurge Fusion conference is titled, “What Works in Education & Technology.”

You’ll get practical information on how to incorporate edtech into your classroom and school within the framework of the SAMR model.

You’ll bring new tools and tips back to your school that you can put into practice right away.

FETC: January 14-17, 2020, Miami, FL

Ever get jealous of those snowbirds jetting down to Florida when the winter weather rolls in? Well, now you can be one of them!

If you’ve never checked out the Future of Education Technology Conference (FETC) before, this is the year to do it! For the conference’s 40th anniversary edition, Justin Shaifer (aka “Mr. Fascinate”) is the keynote speaker and will talk to attendees about culturally responsive STEM:

According to the conference’s website, attendees include “school and district administrators, classroom teachers, IT professionals, special education directors, curriculum and media specialists” among others.

They’ve even got a template for a letter to give to your admin to convince them to send you – pretty helpful!

Held in the Miami Beach Convention Center just steps from South Beach, you can mix work with play in the best possible way!

TCEA: February 3-7, 2020, Austin, TX

The Texas Computer Education Association (TCEA) Convention features over 1,000 presentations on every topic under the sun related to edtech spread out over five days.

Check out the panel presentations and hands-on workshops, or try out some of the new edtech tools you’re learning about in the interactive learning playground.

It’s the perfect way to get inspired for the last half of the school year!

ISTE: June 28-July 1, 2020, Anaheim, CA

We’re going to Disneyland! This year’s edition of the world’s largest edtech conference will be held in sunny California, just a stone’s throw from the Magic Kingdom.

Regularly attended by upwards of 10,000 visitors, ISTE is one edtech conference that makes a major impact.

Get all the updates and be the first to know when new speakers are announced by following the hashtag #ISTE20.

If you can only choose one edtech conference to attend, this is it!

BONUS Edcamps: Year-Round & Worldwide

If you’re interested in participant-driven professional development, you need to attend an Edcamp. Held nationwide (and internationally), Edcamps take place on Saturdays throughout the year.

The format of an Edcamp is completely different from your standard conference in that the sessions aren’t defined until the day of. Who chooses the session topics? You do!

According to their foundation, “All are welcome to pitch ideas, facilitate a session, and share contact information with those they've connected with to bolster their professional network.”

That means that in addition to attending sessions, you could end up giving one yourself! The whole idea is that the Edcamp should respond to the attendees’ needs, and it truly works.

Participants surveyed came back with these results: “Nearly 70% report learning at least 4 or more ideas to implement in their classrooms; 23% report learning over 10.”

Another perk to Edcamps? They’re totally free!

So, make sure to take advantage of the early registration discount, and look for our Edpuzzle booth at FETC, TCEA and ISTE, and hear about us at your nearest Edcamp! We can’t wait to meet you :)

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