Helping Students Through Intentional Curriculum Design | SXSW EDU 2024

Every classroom is unique because its curriculum is designed by its educators and administrators to complement and meet the needs of its students.

At SXSW EDU 2024, teachers, administrators, and other education thought leaders came to discuss the importance of curriculum design and provide unique approaches to creating a more inclusive and exciting classroom environment.

Learn about the benefits of gamification in the classroom from Dungeons & Dragons experts, discover how to use the feeling of boredom not only to figure out what students want but also to help them find a sense of purpose, explore afterschool and summer learning opportunities that can keep students engaged and excited to learn, and so much more.

Explore how you can develop your curriculum:

Featured Session: Takeaways from Our Freshman Year of D&D in Schools

“The culture in my classroom is so incredible because of this game. And the students don't really realize that, right? They don't realize why they've all of a sudden crossed the aisle to these friendships and things.”

Kade Wells
Educator, Sioux Falls Public Schools & University of Sioux Falls

Hear from speakers Dan Ackerman, Dan Rawson, Kade Wells, and Shelly Mazzanoble as they share success stories of bringing Dungeons & Dragons into the classroom and learn more about why role-playing games can improve interpersonal and problem-solving skills.

Keynote: It’s Time to Stop Talking About the Literacy Crisis

“You've gotta embrace the basic, the foundational level of how kids learn to read. And that's what's gonna truly give 'em a shot.”

Spencer Russell
Founder, Toddlers CAN Read

Learn from Spencer Russell as he discusses how reading can be accessible for all and how to implement better reading habits in the classroom.

Discover a wealth of knowledge on new strategies for curriculum design:

• #R-E-S-P-E-C-T: How Do We Get Some for Teachers?
• Authentic Storytelling for Transformational Strategies
• Bored in This Class: Helping Students Learn from Boredom
• Hand Me the Keys: Together We Can Unlock Human Potential
• Helping Students Rebuild Academic & Social Skills Post-Covid
• How to Support Learner Growth, Belonging, & Agency
• Inspiring a Generation of Informed, Empathetic Leaders
• Investing in Holistic Wellbeing for Lifelong Success
• Making Afterschool Learning Count
• Making the World Better with Civics-Focused Media for Kids
• Policy to Practice: Literacy Equity Through the CO READ Act
• Students & the World: The Case for Global Affairs Education
• Teaching Futures: Transforming Systems & Leaders
• Teaching Literature & Civics with Phillis Wheatley
• The Future of Democracy Starts in the Classroom
• The Future of Mental Health Education
• The Power of Creative Education to Effect Positive Change
• Unlocking the ‘Aha’ Moments in Math

Watch SXSW EDU 2024 On-Demand Content

Take a look back at SXSW EDU 2024 and relive exciting Keynote, Featured Sessions, and more, now available to watch on our official YouTube channel, plus listen to hundreds of audio recordings in the schedule.

Stay tuned for more information about registration and participation opportunities for SXSW EDU 2025 coming later this summer.

Photo by Will Blake