For decades, ISTE has been considered one of the most influential education conferences around, and it’s hard to believe the last time ISTE was in person was 2019 - wow! I am really looking forward to being at ISTELive in New Orleans! Kris is stoked to be attending virtually, and there are lots to look forward to whether you’ll be there in person or are #NotAtISTE this time around. Here are a few of the things I am looking forward to the most:
ISTE Featured Voices
As always, ISTE has an incredible lineup of speakers, including their diverse set of Feature Voices for ISTELive22. I won’t miss the Sunday Mainstage kick-off with the always engaging Richard Culatta along with Zach King, Brandan "BMIKE" Odums, Avis Williams, and Jennifer Yoo-Brannon.
As a big believer in the immense power and importance of storytelling, Voices of Change: Helping Students and Teachers Tell Powerful Stories with Deitra Colquitt, Aisha Douglas, Jennifer Yoo-Brannon, and Jeffrey Young is also a must-attend session.
Third, I am really looking forward to Jorge Valenzuela’s Monday session on Strategies for Activating SEL Across the Curriculum - I am excited to discover more about the 'Equity and SEL Integration Framework' for K-12 he’ll be sharing.
A few other sessions that caught my eye?
- Hipster Google
- The Teacher’s Guide to Digital Choice Boards: Empower and Engage Students
- Innovative Lesson Planning for All Learners: Practicing Emotional Intelligence in the Classroom
What’s New in EdTech
Of course, the expo hall is always an awesome array of innovation, swag, snacks, and more. What’s most exciting to me about it is seeing the investments that companies are making in areas that matter today to help students develop fluency for the future. From the adorable robots to tools (like Lumio!) that are making teachers' lives easier, it’s great to explore what’s new. This year I am executing to see innovations and options around mental wellbeing and SEL, AI, AR/VR/XR and new ways of looking at culturally relevant PBL.
EdTech Karaoke
ISTE just wouldn't be ISTE without EdTech Karaoke, and this year it’s happening at the House of Blues - I can’t wait. But of course, there’s so much to see and do as well - the OTIS happy hour will be a great time, I won’t miss the Digital Promise happy hour either, and FlipGrid always knows how to throw a party!
Connections
While I am incredibly grateful for the technology that keeps us connected across distances, there’s no replacing connecting in person. I am looking forward to energizing IN person connects with friends and colleagues. I am excited to make new friends and connections, too. Message me if you’ll be at ISTELive22 so we can connect!
Food & Music in NOLA
ISTELive22 will be my first trip to New Orleans, and as a lifelong jazz lover, I am really excited to be in the home of the genre - along with an epicenter of blues, R&B and Bounce. Count me in for live music every night - and beignets and oysters every day, ‘cause New Orleans food is a scene I am really looking forward to, too!
Get the most out of your ISTELive22 experience with these great tips from ISTE themselves, and find out everything that’s happening with SMART and Lumio at ISTELive22 here: