In July, Amazon Web Services (AWS) announced a new contest in collaboration with SXSW EDU designed to find the best application of voice technology in education. Our challenge to the EdTech world? Tell us how you would use Alexa to transform education. From tutoring help and language learning programs to teaching guides and career planning tools – we’ve been amazed by the creativity and potential impact of the ideas EdTechs sent us. Submissions focused on challenges like how to increase student learning, improve accessibility, save educators time, and build a strong home-school connection. The six finalists invited to compete at the live competition at SXSW EDU 2020 in Austin, Texas are: Blast Learning, Healthy Teen Network, NuMoola, SayKid, StrongMind, and VOGO Voice. The six US-based EdTech companies will now develop their proposed Alexa skill and compete for a chance to win $50,000 in AWS Promotional Credits. Finalists and alternates will receive guidance and support from the AWS team as they build their skill. On March 12, 2020 at the SXSW EDU conference, finalists will present their skills onstage in front of a live audience and panel of judges. The winner will receive $50,000 in AWS Promotional Credits while runner-ups will each receive $10,000 in AWS Promotional Credits.
