The first-ever Soundtrap EDU Summit, beginning on September 28, is a free online experience dedicated to helping educators learn how to empower their students. Presenters for the event will include music and STEAM educators, student storytellers, and digital media creators, discussing topics from creativity to music, podcasting, and storytelling ― among many others. 

Blogger, author, speaker, and educator Matt Miller has partnered with Soundtrap to present the Summit. The author of four books ― including Ditch That Textbook and Don’t Ditch That Tech ― and co-host of the Google Teacher podcast, Miller is known for encouraging educators to use technology and creative ideas in teaching. His expertise in these areas is perfectly aligned with the aims of the Summit, an event that comes at a perfect time during the COVID-19 pandemic when educators are feeling burnt out, but also are in need of easy-to-access online professional development.

When teachers struggle to adapt their classes, often one of the first things to go is a joy ― whether they mean it or not. The ideas shared in the summit will help educators bring joy back to learning no matter what their current situation” – Matt Miller, Organizer of the Soundtrap EDU Summit. 

“The Soundtrap EDU Summit is a source of inspiration at a time in our world when educators are struggling and already beginning to burn out,” said Miller. “It will deliver practical teaching ideas that educators can use in class immediately. In short, by participating in the Soundtrap EDU Summit, educators can gain fresh excitement about their profession and strategies to empower all students to share their voices with the world.”

Also See: The UNESCO-Kidskintha Special Kids International Summit 2020

What can you expect from the Soundtrap EDU Summit?

After the Summit begins on September 28, participants will receive an email each day with a new video presentation, which can be watched on-demand. Speakers will include music and STEAM educators, student storytellers, digital media creators, and more. Creativity, music, podcasting, and storytelling are just some of the relevant topics that will be covered. 

SoundTrap EDU Summit

Soundtrap EDU Summit begins on September 28th, 2020

Matt Miller also shared a preview of the Summit in a recent Q&A with edCircuit, including some of the practical skills educators can expect to learn and the reasons why this content is so timely. Part of the Q&A is below:

When thinking about all the presenters and sessions that will be part of the Soundtrap EDU Summit, what are a few of the practical skills educators can expect to develop by participating? 

soundtrap EDU summit 2020

Matt Miller: Author, Educator, Speaker. Also the organizer of the Soundtrap EDU summit

Matt Miller: All of the presenters in the summit have their own experience and skillsets, but they all come back to a handful of things that educators can expect in the summit. 

First, educators can expect to take away practical “use in class tomorrow” teaching ideas by watching the sessions. Each presenter was asked for concrete ways to teach creatively, and they responded in a big way. In some sessions, they shared more than a dozen ideas you can try. 

Second, educators can expect to find ways to help their students develop and amplify their voices. This comes in a variety of forms, from improving their spoken voice to using their voices to push for social change. 

Third, educators can expect to find new and creative ways to bring music into the classroom. There’s a lot for music educators, but it’s not just for music educators. Whether you teach Spanish or science or second grade, you’ll find ways to incorporate a medium that students love ― music ― into what you do.

After several months of remote instruction already, and with many teachers still facing the challenges of remote teaching, or some form of hybrid instruction, for the foreseeable future, what makes the Soundtrap EDU Summit timely according to teachers’ needs?

Matt Miller: So many of the presenters in the summit have noticed the challenges that have come from pandemic-era teaching. It’s a topic that is near and dear to their hearts, and they want to help. Many of the suggestions and classroom ideas shared by presenters in the summit can be used in face-to-face, remote, or hybrid learning environments. Many of the ideas can be done in synchronous situations where everyone is present (face-to-face or via video conferencing), and many work in asynchronous situations (working on them on your own time). Many presenters mentioned that joy and excitement should be an important part of the classroom environment, and that’s especially true right now. When teachers struggle to adapt their classes, often one of the first things to go is a joy ― whether they mean it or not. The ideas shared in the summit will help educators bring joy back to learning no matter what their current situation.

Photo by Shukhrat Umarov from Pexels