Join fellow changemakers to reshape Wicked Problems haunting the education community at ShapingEDU’s Unconference

2021 ShapingEDU Unconference

Educators, students, technology leaders, faculty members — anyone who wants to hone their skills in grappling with the unknown mysteries impacting learning — are invited to virtually attend ShapingEDU’s 2021 Unconference. Held from July 20-23, this free, virtual event allows participants to highly engage with the event theme, “Reshaping Wicked Problems,” and collaborate with their colleagues to create actionable outputs and resources to address complex challenges in education.

What is an Unconference?

While many working professionals are familiar with the traditional conference format, an unconference can seem a little…mysterious. “The Unconference gives the ShapingEDU community the opportunity to join forces and address some of the most difficult challenges that educators have had to face in decades,” explained Stephanie Pierotti, Director of ShapingEDU. “As we reshape our ecosystem post-pandemic to develop the ‘new normal’ we can explore, discuss and navigate the seemingly infinite possibilities and the challenges that come with them along this journey.”

The Unconference has a Living Agenda, which means that “there's no set agenda, but that doesn't mean that it's completely unstructured,” said Laura Geringer, Unconference event co-producer and Community Manager for ShapingEDU. “But within that framework, we've got freedom and flexibility to play, to discover new ideas and go where we need to go.”

What is this year’s theme?

This year, you’ll be transported virtually to a haunted “remote” inn, where you will be asked to address nine Wicked Problems in learning. First, ShapingEDU community members were asked to share the pressing, complex challenges facing learning now or in the future ("Wicked Problems''). Once submissions were received and narrowed down, ShapingEDU’s dreamers, doers and drivers had the opportunity to vote for their favorite topics.

Shining of the spotlight on DEI Wicked Problem
The nine Wicked Problems chosen are:

  • “Invasion” of the Degree Snatchers: Stacked microcredentials vs. traditional degrees

  • Frankensteining strategy into tools

  • A Quiet Place: How to better engage virtual learners & avoid burnout

  • Silence of the Students: Why we need to prioritize voice + choice for lifelong learning

  • 356+ Days Later: Post-pandemic best practices

  • The Shining of the spotlight on DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) in education

  • Brainscan 2021 Wicked Problem

    Nightmare on Accessibility Street: Creating a space + place for all online

  • Mirror, Mirror: Encouraging positive mental health & wellness practices

  • Brainscan 2021: XR, deepfakes and gamified experiences

“The Unconference steps outside of the traditional breakout sessions format to give participants ample time to dream, do, and drive together,” said Samantha Becker, Executive Director, Creative and Communications for ASU’s University Technology Office and ShapingEDU co-founder and community leader. “In the case of 2021, we're co-designing solutions to some of the wicked problems plaguing education. I recommend that anyone who has a stake in the future of learning and post-pandemic best practices attends — whether you're a student, faculty member, technologist or education leader. All can sit with us!”

What will take place during the Unconference?

Ruben Puentedura
After a wicked mystery party on Day 1 to kick off the Unconference, attendees will spend Day 2 at Black Swan Lake with ShapingEDU Innovator in Residence Ruben R. Puentedura. He will lead a Black Swan simulation focused on learning in the face of disruption to set the tone of strategizing around the unexpected.

“As the game opens, you’ll play a key role on one of multiple teams, designing and building antifragile academic and urban communities in the New Normal post-pandemic world,” said Puentedura. “Trouble is, the New Normal turns out to be anything but there’ll be a Black Swan or two coming your way, your choices may create a few additional cygnets for the other teams, and throughout the game information may be incomplete or false no problem, you got this, right?”

While attending the game does not require preparation, Puentedura suggests that familiarizing yourself with the ShapingEDU Black Swan Thinking Project beforehand “will certainly enrich the experience.”

Not only will attending the Black Swan Game prepare participants for the strategic thinking they will be doing when addressing Wicked Problems on Days 3 & 4, it will also better prepare them for life, work and learning. “The world right now is not the sort of place where change occurs mostly predictably and smoothly, and traditional toolsets are not up to the challenge,” said Puentedura. “The Black Swan Game is intended to help open the door to different frameworks for planning, design, and implementation in this world and to have a bit of what Seymour Papert called ‘hard fun’ in the process.”

Why should someone attend the ShapingEDU Unconference?

The Unconference is all about bringing changemakers together for this free virtual event — no matter where they are in the world. “Both non-traditional education opportunities and adapting to remote working/learning environments are top of mind for our community,” said Pierotti. “We’re excited to discover the different perspectives and proposals for solutions that the community members will bring to the table!”

Registration is open now to attend the Unconference virtually on July 20-23, 2021.

Explore the Unconference