U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan to Keynote SXSWedu 2012 Conference

AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- SXSWedu® Conference today announced that U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will keynote at the 2012 annual conference on Thursday, March 8.  The Secretary will address SXSWedu's forward-thinking audience of educational professionals including teachers, administrators, university professors, as well as business, industry and policy leaders who all share a keen interest in modernizing teaching and learning. SXSWedu will take place March 6-8, 2012 at the Hilton Austin Downtown.

"Since his presidential appointment in 2009, Arne Duncan has been a highly visible, extremely active Secretary of Education, shining a light on the power of technology to fully support classroom teachers and learners of all ages," said Ron Reed, principal, SXSWedu.  "Duncan's keynote will be a compelling addition to the already rich content for SXSWedu, and we are confident conference attendees will welcome the opportunity to hear his perspective on the opportunities and challenges facing our education system." 

"Technology tied to great teaching can help children learn more and learn faster, produce lifelong learners, and give young people new skills for the global economy. Kudos to SXSW for linking the worlds of interactive technology, music, films and education," said Secretary Duncan.

In his role as Secretary of Education, Duncan has championed a wide variety of educational initiatives designed to engage the country in transforming education including expanding early learning opportunities, raising the bar on college and career ready graduation and promoting affordable higher education. He is well respected for being a proponent of recognizing educators as true professionals, and elevating the appreciation and respect they individually and collectively merit. SXSWedu shares this passion, to celebrate educators as creative artists who practice the art of engagement every day before an audience that is critical to our future.

Now in its second year, SXSWedu Conference expands on a successful inaugural event in 2011. This year's conference includes three days of rich programming, including multiple keynote and distinguished speakers, and more than 50 concurrent content sessions, all highlighting innovations in learning.  Duncan will join previously announced keynote speaker LeVar Burton.  Conference tracks include Assessment, College & Career Readiness, Digital Content, Early Childhood, Emerging Trends, Gaming & Learning, General Education, Higher Education and Open Educational Resources.

Among many new programming additions this year is LAUNCHedu, a program that allows entrepreneurs to pitch their educational business concepts and demo educational products to a judging panel of venture capitalists, successful entrepreneurs and education practitioners. The fast-paced competition, occurring on March 7, will feature a full day of presentations in two separate categories – one for K-12 and one for Higher Education. Six finalists in each category will be invited to participate in a live pitch program at SXSWedu, with the winners being named directly after. LAUNCHedu is overseen by an advisory board consisting of more than a dozen nationally recognized leaders within the educational business and educational technology fields.

Register to attend SXSWedu today at http://sxswedu.com/attend and join us March 6-8, 2012. Discounted registration rates are available through January 13. Attending press are invited to register here: http://sxswedu.com/content/press

About SXSWedu

SXSWedu seeks to converge the wide variety of stakeholders who share an interest in 21st Century education innovation and best practices. Our attendees represent education professionals including teachers, administrators and university professors, and also business, industry and policy leaders who all share a keen interest in modernizing teaching and learning.

Content strands at SXSWedu 2012 will range from early childhood to college and career readiness, and include assessment, emerging trends, digital content, gaming and learning, higher ed, open educational resources, research and evaluation, and statewide portals, including Texas' Project Share. Join us March 6-8, 2012 for the educational experience that only SXSW can deliver.

For more details, visit http://sxswedu.com.

SOURCE SXSWedu