Educational innovators are constantly uncovering new ways to learn and teach. By sharing best practices and collaborating to create new ideas, they improve the field of Digital Media & Learning every day. We saw some pretty impressive advances in the past year, from iPad-based curricula to robotic autism therapies and everything in between. 2012 promises to be just as revolutionary.

Check out some of the events to look forward to in the upcoming year. With experts from all over the world coming together to collaborate, who knows what advances will be made!

Emerging Media Conference – January 23-26, 2012

Thousands of the most influential movers and shakers in the mobile, social, and gaming industries will unite to educate and inspire. For three days, these experts will lead presentations, moderate discussions, and demonstrate cutting-edge applications for emerging technologies. Topics range from internet censorship in China to best practices of social media marketing. The event will take place at Hotel Kabuki in San Francisco, CA.

Learning without Frontiers Jan 25-26, 2012

Learning Without Frontiers (LWF) will host its annual conference in London centered around the future of learning in the digital age. From renowned linguist and political writer Noam Chomsky to education and creativity expert Sir Ken Robinson, the event will bring together some of the world’s foremost thinkers. LWF calls out to innovators and educators “seeking to positively disrupt entrenched thinking” to attend the conference and join in the discussion. Truly one of the most impactful annual conferences, this event really does change the way we look at learning year after year.

DML2012 – Mar 1-3, 2012

Supported by the MacArthur Foundation and organized by the Digital Media and Learning Research Hub of the University of California, Irvine, the third annual Digital Media and Learning Conference will focus on the theme “Beyond Educational Technology: Learning Innovations in a Connected World.” The event will bring together leading thinkers and practitioners in the field of Digital Media and Learning and will create debate “focused on fostering interdisciplinary and participatory dialog and linking theory, empirical study, policy, and practice.” The conference is still accepting proposals, so if you’re an innovator in your field with an idea for a presentation or panel, there’s still time to make your voice heard.

International Society for Technology in Education – Jun 24-27, 2012

ISTE’s thirty-third annual conference will showcase and share the digital tools and techniques educators use to expand their students’ horizons. The event takes place in San Diego, California and will unite ed tech experts and corporate professionals for five days of collaboration and creativity. The expansive event offers the following features:

• 300 model lessons, BYOD (bring your own device) sessions, lectures, and panels
• 135 hands-on and seminar-demo workshops (additional fee)
• 500 exhibiting companies, agencies, and organizations
• 400 informal and interactive learning activities