I'd followed from afar. I'd read numerous posts and reviews. I'd read the advice. Until you actual experience the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Conference in person you have no idea. WOW! I still struggle to put the whole experience into words...but I'll try.Imagine close to 16,000 people who mostly all share the same excitement, passion, and drive for education under one very large roof. Thousands of educators from all corners of Earth, shaking hands, hugging, and talking as if they have known one another since elementary school. It's that common passion for bringing out the best in children that make this sort of reunion and meet and greet all-in-one such a special event. Sure the sessions were good, the Ignite Sessions inspiring (more on that later), but it's the time between sessions connecting and reconnecting that I found to be the most beneficial.
It was great to see recently made friendships again like Brad Waid, Drew Minock, and Nick Provenzano. All three are genuine people who offered some great advice before I arrived in Atlanta. The Blogger's Cafe was where they told this ISTE rookie to go and connect. There I was, surrounded by so many people I have followed on Twitter for a few years. It was an honor to finally shake hands and meet many of the people I've grown to admire and learn from through my amazing Twitter PLN. For instance, I met Jerry Blumengarten, a.k.a. Cybraryman1. Jerry has more knowledge of education in his pinky then I will ever acquire. He has single handedly cataloged theentire Internet for education. He was so gracious, genuine, and down-to-earth when he shared with me his thoughts on the power of social media in education as well as much of his backstory as a teacher. Truly a gifted man with so much to share.
It was also a pleasure to meet DaisyDyer Duerr. Daisy is the host and moderator for #ArkEdChat. I've participated in a couple of chats with Daisy and as we walked into the Exhibit Hall together the words "overwhelming" came out of our mouths at almost the same time. But as overwhelming as it was, it also shows that there is this clash of some the leading tech industry's companies bringing their products into education world, and as I looked around in ah, many are involved in the betterment of education, pedagogy, and student outcomes...many, not all.
One of the most thought-provoking moments of my ISTE experience came from the first Ignite Session. Basically, imagine a line-up of some of the best in education given ten minutes to present to you and a crowd of hundred something that "ignites" them as educators. Nick entertained us with the theme from Phineas and Ferb but it was the line from Rafranz Davis' Ignite that stuck with me for the rest of the weekend, "Never underestimate the power of kid who is driven to create." Think about it...does education do that? Do mandates and standards do that? Who else and what else is doing that, and how do we change that? How do we provide time and empowerment for kids to be creators? It in a way became my question for the remainder of the conference.Did I mention fun? Yes, embedded in all this learning and conversation there was time for fun. Below Kevin Maxwell, Joe Willmann and Blake Everhart found some time to take my Sphero out to Centennial Olympic Park. It brought such joy to see kids of all ages (5 to 55) chase, kick, throw, gaze in amazement, and question the power behind such a simple, yet interactive, ball.
Speaking of Kevin and Joe. Here's our K12Tech PODCAST after a full day at ISTE.
Now, even a week later, I'm not sure if after five days by the gulf I've completely unpacked and decompressed. Can't wait for Philly!
