FETC 2016: Why This Year’s Show Is Focused on the Future of Education
Billed as the largest national education technology conference on the East Coast, FETC kicks off its 36th conference this week, in Orlando, Fla.
FETC 2016 will be focused on the future, according to organizers. The event has been rebranded from the Florida Education Technology Conference to the Future of Education Technology Conference to reflect the event's "focus on the use of the latest technology in pre-K–12 education," according to a news release.
“As staying up-to-date with ed-tech advancements continues to become necessary in pre-K–12, attendees and exhibitors alike have come to know FETC as the nation’s go-to conference for gaining insight into cutting-edge education technology,” said Mike Eason, FETC General Manger, LRP Conferences. “LRP realized the importance of embracing the fact that technology is the future of education – and we’re demonstrating that by adjusting our branding and aligning our event’s very identity with that idea.”
The four-day conference kicks off Tuesday, January 12, at the Orange County Convention Center, where thousands of educators will gather to attend more than 500 sessions and workshops to learn tips, techniques and trends from some of the brightest minds in education.
Four keynote sessions will shine at this year's FETC:
George Couros, an influential educator and blogger regularly featured on EdTech's 50 Must-Read IT Blogs, will lead an executive summit keynote on Tuesday, by invitation only, titled “Leading and Empowering a Culture of Innovation.”
Reshma Saujani, the founder and CEO of the nonprofit Girls Who Code, will lead the opening keynote on Wednesday.
Leland Melvin, an engineer, astronaut and NASA's associate administrator for education, will lead a STEM-focused session on innovation, “The Right Stuff Is the Never Give Up Stuff,” on Thursday.
Sean McComb, 2014 National Teacher of the Year, will lead the closing keynote "iWill: Activating Empowered Teachers and Students" on Friday.
The conference will also host the second annual FETC STEM Excellence Awards, which recognize distinction and innovation in K–12 science, technology, engineering and math education in K–12 schools nationwide.
The full agenda for the show can be reviewed online. Conference attendees can also download the official app to review the hundreds of sessions and organizers while on the go.
Looking for more ways to get ready for FETC 2016? The buzz around the show is happening on the event’s official Twitter hashtag — #FETC. ImagineEasy has assembled a post highlighting 30 presenters to meet and 20 sessions to attend at this year's conference, and Hekademia lists five ways to prepare for the big show.
