5 top tips for ISTE
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Attend in person AND online.
Before you go to the ISTE, jump on www.iste.org to scope out the speakers and edtech innovators ahead of time. Follow them on social media to get the most out of what they have on offer.
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Dress for success
Your office shoes might look great and shiny; those heels probably make your legs pop, but leave them at home! There are so many great seminars spread around a huge area, you’ll likely be getting your steps in before lunchtime. Wear comfortable shoes that won’t slow you down.
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Prior Planning Promotes Pleased Participants
With so many great education leaders and new technology to check out, it’s easy to get sidetracked. To avoid missing out, try and choose your top three “must-sees” ahead of time and plan the rest of your attendance around them. Don’t forget to arrive a little early if you want a good seat!
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Network!
Even more numerous than the scores of great edtech innovators will be the countless peers you’ll be sharing this experience with. Take the opportunity to learn from someone who has a similar role to you in a completely different part of the country (or the world!). Plus, can you ever have too many friends?
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Rest is best
Sounds obvious, but with interstate travel, sometimes it can be all too easy to miss out on your eight hours in your rush to get to the action. Make sure you are well-rested and get a good night’s sleep before attending any sort of conference or expo. ISTE is four days long!
What is ISTE?
The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), is a nonprofit organization that focuses on accelerating innovation in education through the smart use of technology in learning environments.
ISTE inspires the creation of solutions and connections that improve opportunities for all learners by delivering practical guidance, evidence-based professional learning, virtual networks, thought-provoking events, and the ISTE Standards.
What are the ISTE Standards, you may ask? Let’s investigate.
The ISTE Standards provide the competencies for learning, teaching, and leading in the digital age, providing a comprehensive roadmap for the effective use of technology in schools worldwide. They are arranged into five broad categories:
Students: Incorporating principles such as digital citizenship to supplement student learning.
Teachers: Providing teacher education to improve digital literacy and allow teachers to provide learning experiences for online learning and blended learning environments
Education Leaders: Guiding administrators in supporting digital learning, creating technology-rich learning environments, and providing school districts with the digital tools they need.
Coaches: To help educators with their professional development in all things edtech. Coaches can assist with digital literacy through their ISTE standards for educators and computer science training.
ISTE Computational Thinking Competencies: The ISTE Computational Thinking Competencies help educators build skills by integrating computational thinking (CT) across all disciplines and with students of all ages.
You can read about each of these in more detail at www.iste.org
Why should you attend ISTE?
Each year, the ISTE holds multiple edtech forums and seminars events. The most prominent of these is the annual ISTELive. This year, ISTElive is taking place in Philadelphia on June 25–28. The program boasts more than 900 live events focused on professional development through the use of technology.
There are over thirty-eight different topics this year, including Learning with AR and VR, Project–based learning, Online and blended learning, Instructional design and delivery, Social–emotional learning, Equity and inclusion, Digital literacy, Computer science and Computational thinking, Personalized learning and loads more! Follow the embedded links for a closer look at what these topics cover.
The international society for technology in education isn’t just for teachers. It focuses on providing professional development for anybody involved in the education sector. Anybody in education roles such as technology directors, librarians/media specialists, tech coaches, higher education faculty, curriculum specialists, principals, superintendents, and other change-makers will find something to engage with.
Come and say hi to Kami!
We’re attending ISTE to chat with teachers like you about all things Kami. We’d love to show you some Kami magic and answer all your questions.
Head to booth #1618 to discover how we use learning technology to foster a love of learning for all. And you never know, you may even get your paws on some goodies!
