Group organizes alternate version of SXSWEdu conference
AUSTIN, Texas — The decision to pull the plug on SXSWEdu just days before its official start had many people fuming.
"How do I take this frustration and put it into action, because I can go online and rant about it, but that does nothing," said Carl Hooker.
Hooker is an Austin-based educational consultant, who was slated to present at the conference. He says he took that frustration and channeled it into something that's never been done before, in the history of SXSW.
"So, I put feelers out there for people, and people were like, 'Yeah, we're looking for something to do,'" said Hooker.
Hooker spearheaded the organization AltSXSWEdu to gather the people who did come to Austin despite the cancellation, to share ideas and socialize. The impact of the coronavirus was a main topic of discussion on Tuesday.
"We know there's a major problem happening right now, when it comes to online learning -- what does that look like?" questioned Hooker. "How prepared are schools for, let's say, a long-term shutdown, which is a big concern? It's already starting to happen."
Geri Ewing made the trek from Alabama, despite the official conference being nixed.
"If you can't go in through a door, go in through a window," said Ewing. "When things happen, that causes people to be innovative. That's why I appreciate so much what's happening at the alt event."
