The Theme: Groups will work together over 54 hours to create a tech tool addressing ed-tech innovation for the K-12 classroom. Theme ideas include but aren't limited to parent engagement, bullying, feedback structures, or curriculum instruction.

For a few additional ideas, we are working with The Google for Education Think Tank which has helped to identify three core challenges that the K-12 education space is currently experiencing. 

To set a bit of context, the Google for Education Think Tank charters strategic university and K-12 customers to further education technology through thought leadership and collaborating with Google and each other on new solutions. The mission of the Google in Education Think Tank is to inspire innovative approaches to learning, identify and share insights on learning models, and determine how technology can support them. Over the course of 2014, the think tank has engaged with 30 customers in the Think Tank representing a mix of CIOs, Curriculum Managers, and Educators from schools across the U.S. In the past 2 meetings held these customers have drawn on their experiences, challenges, and best practices implementing technology touching tens of thousands of students and educators. Through this process, Google Education identified three core challenges that the K-12 education space is currently experiencing and would love your feedback the weekend in hacking. 

Challenge 1: Learning Analytics Dashboard
Develop a user-friendly system that collects real-time assessment or feedback data that translates into actionable and personalized information for both educators and students: teachers and students currently do not have quick and easy access to tools that guide their own teaching and learning. While we have data on student achievement or performance, such as annual test scores, more immediate, real-time data and tools are also needed to inform instruction and is the missing arc in our feedback loop. For example, after a lesson in class educators might need to collect instant feedback from students to confirm their understanding of the material. Then, after collecting this feedback a teacher might want to have a dashboard recommend next steps or insights for future lessons or activities. Is there a way we can design dashboards that are meaningful to the teachers and the students to allow for better instructional strategies and guidance in learning within the classroom?  

Challenge 2: Educator Professional Development
Solve for new teacher training with technological integration and changing what it means to be a teacher: the need for programs and support for teachers to become lifelong learners (not just students) is becoming increasingly important. Is there a way to develop a new model for training for the new generations of teachers that would change the culture of teaching and learning through virtual simulation for training, facilitate closer training ties between HE and K12, creating learner profiles of strengths and weaknesses, designing future classrooms, and enabling anytime anywhere learning.  How can we create a model of teacher training that inspires educators to be curious, passionate, energetic, humble, resourceful, and curators.  

Challenge 3: Facilitating Personalization and Choice in Student Learning
Develop a learning model that maximizes student choice to demonstrate learning on their terms: Is there a way we can create a platform that consists of learner (student or teacher) created modules to accommodate a variety of learning formats and pacing, that connects to the real world, and operates on a structure of learning through play, passion, and purpose. Learners can collaborate with fellow students and teachers to guide and evaluate learning, where standards will be focused on skills and knowledge acquired that maps to learner’s talents and interests.

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We believe that a wide range of diverse perspectives, backgrounds, passion, talents, technical knowledge and skills are needed to create ventures that have the highest potential for lasting impact.

We are looking for:

Youth Innovators: 9-12 grade bay area students interested in hacking, UX/UI design, business, social justice and collaborating on an unique solution to a challenge they’re facing

Teachers: Instructional leaders in the classroom working in schools- this category is essential to a successful SWEDU! This event cannot succeed unless we have people like you there! 

Educators: Community Organizers, District Administrators, Education Non-Profit Leaders and Professionals working in the school wrap-around services space

Champions: Individuals who will keep student voice and perspective on the top of their and the group’s mind- this could be a parent/relative, youth development professional or others who work closely with youth and are interested in collaborating with and supporting students on a team

Developers: Mobile App Developers (IOS, IOS SDK, Android) Programmers (JAVA, Objective C, CSS3, etc.) Web developers (front end and back end)

Designers: UX/UI designers (Adobe Suite Applications, Axure, iRise, Omnigraffle, etc.)

Entrepreneurs: Innovators, Thinkers, Business Strategists, Marketers, Finance Gurus, Project Managers, Philanthropists