November Events with the Apereo Foundation: Inspiring Open Source Innovations in Education
This November, the Apereo Foundation warmly invites educators, learners, and open source enthusiasts from around the globe to join us in a series of engaging online events designed to inspire, connect, and empower. Tailored for educators, technologists, and community advocates seeking innovative tools, these events offer valuable insights into open source solutions that enhance teaching, foster inclusive learning, and drive educational innovation. Whether you want to expand your technical knowledge, collaborate with peers, or discover new resources to enrich the learning experience, there’s something here for everyone. Here’s a look at what’s coming up. We can’t wait to see you there!
1. Apereo Micro Conference with Karen M. Sandler
- Date: November 13, 2024
- Time: 11:00 AM Eastern U.S.
- Speaker: Karen M. Sandler, Executive Director of the Software Freedom Conservancy
Kicking off our November events is an engaging fireside chat with Karen M. Sandler, a dedicated champion for software freedom and the Executive Director of the Software Freedom Conservancy (SFC). Together, we’ll dive into SFC’s “Sustainers” program, explore ways it builds community support, and get a sneak peek into what’s coming at the 2025 Free and Open Source Software Yearly (FOSSY) conference.
The Software Freedom Conservancy is a crucial ally in the open source world, providing the legal and organizational backbone that keeps software freedom accessible and sustainable. Karen’s insights promise to shed light on the art of community engagement—a key ingredient in every successful open source project. Don’t miss this chance to connect with one of open source’s leading advocates and learn how SFC empowers projects and communities around the globe!
2. Sakai Virtual Conference
- Date: Tuesday, November 19, 2024
- Time: 10 AM to 4 PM Eastern US
- Registration Cost: Only $5 per person
The Sakai Virtual Conference returns on November 19 with a rich program tailored for both new and experienced users of Sakai, a powerful learning management system (LMS) developed by and for higher education. Sakai supports a collaborative learning environment with customizable tools, making it ideal for diverse teaching and learning needs. Attendees can expect a lineup of interactive sessions covering the latest features, best practices in digital teaching, and community-led innovations.
Topics include technical walkthroughs and pedagogical strategies that enhance the learning experience. With registration proceeds supporting ongoing Sakai development, every attendee plays a direct role in the platform’s sustainability. Whether you’re a faculty member, instructional designer, or IT specialist, this event offers valuable insights and networking opportunities to maximize your Sakai experience.
3. Xerte Online Conference
- Date: Thursday, November 21, 2024
- Time: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM UK Time
Join the global Xerte team for the Xerte Online Conference and discover how educators and developers worldwide leverage Xerte’s open source tools to create engaging online learning experiences. Xerte is a versatile, accessible authoring tool widely used to develop interactive, multimedia-rich learning resources ideal for various educational levels and settings.
The free conference promises a deep dive into Xerte’s recent developments and future plans. It also offers hands-on sessions from community users who will share their experiences in areas such as learning analytics, tracking student progress, virtual and augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and inclusive practices. This community-driven event is a fantastic opportunity to network with like-minded professionals and get inspired by innovative use cases from across the globe.
4. Opencast Virtual Summit
- Date: November 27, 2024
- Time: 1 PM CET/7 AM EST – 6 PM CET/12 PM EST
Rounding out the month, the Opencast Virtual Summit on November 27 provides an online forum for the Opencast community, especially those unable to attend the in-person summit in Graz, Austria. Opencast is a flexible, scalable solution for recording and managing video content, specifically tailored for academic institutions. Its open source nature allows universities to manage lecture capture, video storage, and distribution without the limitations of proprietary software.
The virtual summit will include introductory sessions, updates from the Opencast development team, and community presentations on how institutions are effectively using the platform. This summit offers a collaborative space to share insights, discuss technical improvements, and network with video management experts worldwide.
Mark your calendar and register today for these events that will elevate your knowledge, connect you with a global network of open source enthusiasts, and provide firsthand access to Apereo’s projects. We look forward to seeing you there!
5. Save the Date for AXIES Conference 2024
- Date: December 10-12, 2024
- Location: Nara Prefecture Convention Center, Nara City, Japan
Academic eXchange for Information Environment and Strategy (AXIES), a consortium of Japanese academic and research institutions, facilitates the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in teaching, learning, and research. Apereo is excited to attend AXIES once again in December of 2024!
About the Apereo Foundation
The Apereo Foundation is committed to advancing and sustaining open source software solutions for education. By providing a collaborative ecosystem for projects such as Sakai, Xerte, and Opencast, Apereo ensures that academic institutions can access and influence tools that support their educational missions without vendor lock-in or high-cost barriers. Each of these projects reflects Apereo’s dedication to promoting software solutions that embody openness, accessibility, and community-driven innovation. Be a part of our mission! The Friends of Apereo Campaign invites individuals to support Apereo’s ongoing work. By joining, you’ll help sustain open source projects that empower institutions, educators, and learners around the world. Join us in shaping the future of education through open source innovation.