Conferencing at #ASCD15? Here’s why you better be!

ASCD is having its annual this conference in Houston this weekend. I am a member of several organizations, and attend several national conferences, in addition to local region/state events, and this by FAR is my favorite. Attending ASCD provides a chance to grow, as well as make connections with other educators from around the nation.

While, yes, I may be biased because of their outstanding communications team, there is so much that this organization and conference offers.

• Keynote speakers: This year offers Sarah Lewis, who will talk about the concept of grit and play, both national hot topics. Nicholas Negroponte, the first ever TED talker, will talk about how its the EFFORT that should excite and teach us, not just the end result.
• Content: This conference offers sessions that are literature rich, research based, and RELEVANT. While technology will be embedded in different sessions there isn’t a device focused buzz, or any “silver bullet” discussions that would require a “tool”. Best practices here revolve around people, ideas, and most importantly, students.
• Author mixer: Steven Anderson (@web20classroom), Reggie Routman (@regieroutman) Todd Whitaker (@toddwhitaker), and my instructional coach crush Robyn Jackson, (@Robyn_Mindsteps) have all recently written books for ASCD and I’ll have an opportunity to talk with each of them, gleam any gems of greatness that I can , and will share out!
• The 2015-ness: From the app to the official hashtag (#ascd15) ASCD naturally has taken the “connected” pieces and integrated them into their conference. Wifi, blog lounges, and a hearty twitter stream will all be in the background, available as needed.

 

I am REALLY excited about this weekend! Throw in that it is in TEXAS again this year, which means I can drive and am guaranteed to see some Texas faces, and I am counting down!

 Join in!

If you are not able to make it this year, follow the twitter stream, there is sure to be a lot shared! 

ASCD ready,

Amber