Apple supports EdFarm future education event in Birmingham

In partnership with Apple, Ed Farm will host its first Future of Learning Summit next week, from June 20 – 22, 2022 at The Fennec in Birmingham, AL.

The Future of Learning

Launched in 2020, Ed Farm is an Apple-supported collaboration with TechAlabama and Birmingham City Schools. In December it launched a digital program for teachers called Ed Farm Learn. The project is part of Apple’s Community Education Initiative.

The two-day professional conference will host insights from nationally renowned keynote speakers, Apple Learning Specialists, educational technology partners, and community organizations who all want to help educators build a future-focused mindset on teaching and learning in the digital age.

What to expect at the conference

“The Future of Learning Summit carries out Ed Farm’s mission to equip educators in schools and communities with innovative tools and teaching strategies,” said Waymond Jackson, CEO of Ed Farm.

“We have convened a group of national speakers—who are leaders in equity, education, and technology—to share their future-focused solutions in education with our Ed Farm community of educators and partners.”

One of the Summit’s premier keynote speakers this year will be educator, writer, speaker, and activist, José Vilson. Vilson is a bestselling author and the executive director of #EduColor, a nonprofit that mobilizes advocates nationwide around issues of educational equity, agency, and justice. All Summit participants will receive a complimentary signed copy of Vilson’s book, This Is Not A Test: A New Narrative on Race, Class, and Education.

[Also read: Apple stands up for Black History Month across all channels]

Keynote speakers also include

Along with Vilson, the Summit will feature other premiere keynote speakers, including:

Naomi Thomas

Thomas is the CEO of Edu (InfinityEdu), a tech education company that helps students explore careers in tech through a passion-first approach

Kai Frazier

Frazier is an educator turned EdTech entrepreneur, whose passion for providing opportunities for underrepresented communities led her to become the founder of Kai XR, which helps educators bring the Metaverse into their classrooms

Korri Jackson

Jackson is an Education Program Manager on Apple’s Community Education Initiative Team. She is responsible for the program development and strategies that shape Apple’s community education impact with strong emphasis on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) and underrepresented communities globally.

The Summit will offer numerous sessions designed and facilitated by Apple Professional Learning Specialists. Some of the many topics to be explored will include App Playgrounds App Design, AR with Reality Composer, Photowalks with iPad, and more.

The Movement

Ed Farm is also working with the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute to develop The Movement, a mobile app that tells the story of Birmingham’s history of civil rights movements.

Several vendors are also attending the conference to offer hands-on experience and workshops, including Ed Farm’s own learning experience platform ‘Ed Farm Learn’. Tickets are available on Eventbrite.

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