SXSW EDU 2025 Advisory Board Recommends: Sessions on AI, Accessibility, and More

While building your SXSW EDU 2025 schedule, getting suggestions from knowledgeable attendees can be a great help in narrowing down which of the many inspiring sessions to attend. To help, this year’s Advisory Board shared some of the sessions they are looking forward to attending in March.

With focuses on AI, neuroinclusivity, gaming, and more, discover which sessions Advisory Board members are looking forward to this March.

Find your next favorite session based on these Advisory Board recommendations.

Amber Oliver

What tracks are you interested in?

Future of Tech | Policy & Advocacy | Startups & Investment | Teaching & Learning

What’s a session you’re excited to attend and why?

AI Tools to Support Literacy & Computational Thinking - For too long computing education has been offered only as a standalone or elective class. If we are going to ensure all students are equipped with the critical skills for success in today's digital world, we need to leverage models that integrate computing into core content, such as this model from Sesame Workshop and The GIANT Room areas. In so doing, we ensure universal access but also demonstrate how computational fluency can be applied to real-world contexts.

What are you looking for in the sessions you choose to attend and why?

I am looking for sessions that will push my thinking and introduce me to new perspectives and voices. I am also drawn to sessions with practical applications and tied to research that can inform our work in NYC.

Devon Tutak

What tracks are you interested in?

Accessibility & Inclusion | Community Initiatives | Teaching & Learning

What’s a session you’re excited to attend and why?

Build Civics Skills with Educational Media for the Classroom - It's nice to think that "the kids are all right," but without more intentional grounding in critical thinking, media literacy, and civics, that may not always be the case. This panel has some really creative thinkers from trusted organizations (public television, Story Corps, iCivics) who understand the important role media plays in cultivating the next generation of engaged citizens.

What are you looking for in the sessions you choose to attend and why?

I'm looking for sessions that recognize the importance of balancing the excitement of innovative technologies (like AI) with the reality of the education landscape, especially in public K-12 education in America. Our community has a responsibility to make sure that we're not furthering the divide between higher and lower-income students through inequitable distribution of technologies and resources.

Julie Willcott

What tracks are you interested in?

Accessibility & Inclusion | Equity & Justice | Future of Tech | Leadership for Tomorrow | Teaching & Learning

What’s a session you’re excited to attend and why?

Stay Spicy: Elevating the Power of Neurodiversity - Making learning inclusive is a passion of mine. This session addresses the needs of neurodivergent students, particularly girls and women.

What are you looking for in the sessions you choose to attend and why?

In the sessions I choose, I look to be inspired and provoked. I am looking for insights and actions that I can take home with me.

LaToya Rush

What tracks are you interested in?

Community Initiatives | Equity & Justice | Future of Tech | Health & Wellbeing | Leadership for Tomorrow | Policy & Advocacy |Teaching & Learning | Work Reimagined

What’s a session you’re excited to attend and why?

From Service to Success: Empowering Veterans to Enter Tech - I am so excited to see that the importance of helping Veterans transition into the civilian world is being highlighted because it's definitely a challenge. As a Veteran myself, it seems that no one speaks our language and this often results in the improper translation of our skills. We can appreciate others acknowledging that we are a "select" population with specific needs. Many of these unmet needs contribute to homelessness and substance abuse. Proper training will help greatly with our transition.

What are you looking for in the sessions you choose to attend and why?

Growth and possibilities - When I choose sessions at SXSW EDU, I always have my staff and students in mind. I want to attend sessions that provide me with information and resources that I can take back and use. I also want to be able to offer more resources for my staff to broaden their perspectives and teaching methods in their classroom. My institution is always excited for me to attend because they know when I learn, they learn… and in the words of Denzel "I'm leaving here with something.”

Lindsey Own

What tracks are you interested in?

Accessibility & Inclusion | Arts & Storytelling | Community Initiatives | Equity & Justice | Global Initiatives | Health & Wellbeing | Teaching & Learning

What’s a session you’re excited to attend and why?

Beneath the Mask: Autism in Education - The panelists for this session include neurodiverse individuals - even a neurodivergent high schooler! We rarely have an opportunity to hear about neurodiverse experiences from neurodiverse people themselves - the conversation is often dominated by experts who don't have personal experience with neurodivergence. Masking is also a critical topic of conversation, as many IEPs and accommodations focus on supporting the neurodiverse student in more effectively masking, rather than living successfully as their authentic selves and understanding their own needs. And I'll take any opportunity to learn more about tabletop gaming and how it can be used in educational settings!

What are you looking for in the sessions you choose to attend and why?

I look for interactivity and hands-on, minds-on sessions that will fully engage me. I also look for presenters who have extensive direct experience with their topics.

Steph Campbell

What tracks are you interested in?

Accessibility & Inclusion | Arts & Storytelling | Community Initiatives | Equity & Justice | Teaching & Learning

What’s a session you’re excited to attend and why?

School is a Badly Designed Game: RPGs for the Classroom - There is currently a lot of hype about gamification in the classroom, and I'm excited to see Michael's take on how classrooms are already a game... they just aren't designed well. It's an interesting spin on the concept, and I'm hoping it can make introducing games to the classroom less daunting by showing that you're actually starting from a game and can use proper game design to adjust it to the existing experience.

What are you looking for in the sessions you choose to attend and why?

I am looking for a knowledgeable and research-based explanation of topics related to educational gaming and supporting a diverse array of youth, and I'm looking forward to making connections with fellow educators! I want to see where the community needs help and how we can work together to fill open needs.

See You at SXSW EDU 2025

Registration is open for SXSW EDU 2025! Book your hotel early for the best rates and hotel options March 3-6, 2025 in downtown Austin.

Sign up for SXSW EDU email updates, check out the News feed, watch videos, and follow us on Bluesky, X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Threads, and TikTok to get the most up-to-date information.

Photo by Tico Mendoza