Compass Learning to Lead Discussion of Personalized Learning at SXSWedu

AUSTIN, Texas -- (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Compass Learning®, the company that makes learning personal for every student, today announced its supporting sponsorship of the 2013 SXSWedu Conference & Festival. During SXSWedu, Compass Learning will lead the dialogue around the power of personal learning through numerous engaging activities and events, including an onstage presentation with inBloom, the unveiling of the Personal Learning Profile beta, and hosting an engaging discussion with participants at the Personal Learning Meet Up.

“SXSWedu brings together the best and brightest in technology, business, education and policy to talk about the issue of highest import facing our nation today – the education of our children,” said Eric Loeffel, CEO of Compass Learning. “Personal learning is changing the way students learn and teachers teach, helping our children achieve success both in the classroom and beyond. We’re excited for what the future holds and to be an integral part of the effort to ‘disrupt’ our current education system by creating educational environments that meet the needs of today’s students and the global demands of the 21^st century.”

Compass Learning’s SXSWedu Highlights Include:

· inBloom Session and Lounge (Wednesday, March 6, 2:00 p.m., Hilton Downtown, Room 408)

Arthur VanderVeen and Jeff Olen from Compass Learning will join representatives from inBloom, LearnSprout, GlobalScholar, and others to demonstrate how CompassLearning Odyssey is playing a key role in this broad, national initiative to implement personalized learning in schools throughout the United States. Additionally, Compass Learning product leadership will be periodically available in the inBloom Lounge to discuss the partnership, as well as demonstrate a new application that helps teachers personalize learning by making differentiation fast and easy.

· Personal Learning Profile Beta (online at www.compasslearning.com/style or at the inBloom Lounge)

Participants are invited to complete a short questionnaire to determine their preferred learning styles, expression styles, and interests. Attendees who complete the questionnaire can share their style at the Personal Learning Meet Up, and on Twitter to receive a free T-shirt, as well as share insight with Compass Learning developers on future product direction. Attendees and others can access and complete the questionnaire at www.compasslearning.com/style.

· Compass Learning’s Personal Learning Meet Up (Tuesday, March 5, 5:30 – 7:30p.m., Hilton Austin Downtown, Room 412)

Compass Learning will host the official SXSWedu Personal Learning & Digital Content Meet Up. The meet up will be a way for educators and technology-savvy people to share ideas and insight into how to use technology, digital content and innovation to transform education through personalized learning; participate in learning games; and engage in a social learning and sharing contest.

· SXSWedu Blogger Lounge sponsored by Compass Learning (Throughout the conference, Austin Convention Center, Room 17B)

Compass Learning is the official sponsor of the 2013 SXSWedu Blogger Lounge, to help connect bloggers and the media with thought leaders and other EdTech community professionals. Compass Learning and SXSWedu organizers have worked together to schedule a series of open chats and briefings with presenters and speakers throughout the event. Bloggers and members of the media are also invited to a special lunch discussion with Iwan Streichenberger, CEO of inBloom, on Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. The current schedule of chats and briefings is available at https://www.compasslearning.com/sxswedu.

· Compass Learning Kids’ Photo Contest (online at www.Facebook.com/CompassLearninginc)

Win $500 by creating the best photo caption for the Compass Learning Kids. Additionally, when attendees find the lone Compass Learning Kid hanging out at SXSWedu and send a TwitPic, or have the kid complete a “photo bomb,” Compass Learning will donate $1 per TwitPic to the Move Learning Forward Foundation. For more information, visit: www.Facebook.com/CompassLearninginc.

· Creating the World’s Education Technology (EdTech) Hub, an Ed Tech Breakfast, hosted by Compass Learning and the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce (Thursday, March 7, 7:30-9:30 a.m., El Sol y La Luna)

This invitation-only event will feature Jim Shelton from the United States Department of Education’s Innovation Office, and a panel of Austin business, technology, education and policy leaders talking about Austin’s role as a leader in the global EdTech market.

· Compass Learning will also participate in the Tech Career Expo @ SXSW Interactive, which takes place March 8-9 at Rivals Steakhouse. Compass Learning will showcase jobs and career opportunities with the company.

Follow Compass Learning and the Discussion at SXSWedu via social media

To engage in the online and social discussion and sharing at SXSWedu, follow the official SXSWedu social media outlets on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/sxswedu and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/sxswedu (hash tag: #sxswedu13).

Follow Compass Learning on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CompassLearningInc and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/CompassLearning.

The CompassLearning Navigator blog will also provide regular updates on key sessions, ideas and technology happenings at http://navigator.compasslearning.com/.

About SXSWedu

SXSWedu seeks to converge the wide variety of stakeholders who share an interest in 21st Century education innovation and best practices. Our attendees represent not only education professionals including teachers, administrators and university professors, but also business, industry and policy leaders who all share a keen interest in modernizing teaching and learning.

Content strands at SXSWedu 2013 will range from early childhood to college and career readiness, and will include assessment, emerging trends, digital content, gaming and learning, higher education, open educational resources, research and evaluation, and statewide portals, including Texas’ Project Share. Join us March 4-7, 2013 for the educational experience that only SXSW can deliver.

For more details, visit http://sxswedu.com.

Compass Learning provides educational software that empowers educators to unlock the potential of every student by making learning personal. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Compass Learning serves nearly 8,000 schools and millions of students across the United States. For more information visit www.compasslearning.com

Visit the company’s blog at: http://navigator.compasslearning.com/