Here’s what to expect from Blackboard’s virtual BbWorld 2020 conference

Reston, Virginia-based edtech company Blackboard is taking its annual BbWorld conference virtual later this month, and it’s free for attendees.

The large edtech conference brings educators, administrators and leaders from all over the world together to learn best practices and hear from industry leaders. BbWorld will be hosted virtually July 21 and 22 with a focus on discussing how educators and administrators plan to adjust to the “new normal” of remote learning because of COVID-19.

Manny Scott, a prominent author and speaker, will deliver a keynote speech at this year’s conference, during which he will share his passion for education and impacting students’ lives.

“As a company committed to advancing education through innovation and digital transformation, we are thrilled to have esteemed education advocate Manny Scott share his personal story of hope and explore the power individuals have to radically improve student lives,” said Blackboard chairman, CEO and President Bill Ballhaus in a statement. “Scott’s powerful story of transformation will undoubtedly inspire our BbWorld attendees at this critical moment when the education community — and our society as a whole — is facing unprecedented challenges.”

The motivational speaker and advocate for raising student achievement was recognized as one of the original Freedom Writers when he returned to school at 16 after briefly dropping out. Scott’s educational journey was portrayed in the 2007 film “Freedom Writers,” and he was the first person in his family to attend college.

“As someone who has personally experienced — and witnessed — first-hand the impact educators can have on a student’s life, I am excited to join a community of educators for an important conversation on how we can collectively continue to drive student achievement in this new education paradigm,” Scott said.

The two-day live event is packed with virtual networking opportunities, main sessions and breakout discussions. Some of the session topics include creating engaging virtual classes, digital accessibility and hacking.

Attendees can also expect to hear from other industry leaders including Dr. Michael K. Moore, VP for academic affairs for the University of Arkansas System; Marcos Montero-Lares, product manager at Blackboard; Julie Evans, CEO at Project Tomorrow; and Pam Williams, VP of executive education at Johns Hopkins University.