ISTE19 & MY PLN

6/28/2019

I am always amazed at the power of champion educators gathering to learn and connect. I spent this week in Philadelphia attending the ISTE (International Society of Technology in Education) Conference along with more than 20,000 educators from around the globe.

My first ISTE was in Atlanta; I was a classroom teacher at the time and had been awarded money for a professional development opportunity. I had no idea that my first ISTE would lead to such an amazing journey in EdTech. I was inspired and in awe of all the tools and resources I learned about during my first conference five years ago. With all honesty, I would not have imagined, while sitting in the audience listening to Leslie Fisher talk about tech gadgets in 2014, that I would eventually be sharing with such inspiring educators.

This year’s ISTE was both rejuvenating and exhausting.
I was honored to have so many opportunities to share;
I co-presented my first BYOD sessions with Becky Goddard and Wanda Hanley (Google Drawings: Let's Get Creative! & Multimodal Strategies for Creative Literacy), we chatted with educators during our poster session on Digital Learning Communications for College and Career Readiness, I shared the awesomeness if zSpace in the Expo Hall, and shared tips and tricks for using DoInk for green screen during the Arts and Technology Playground.

Many educators asked how the three of us (Becky, Wanda and I) from different cities and two states (Georgia and North Carolina) were connected and we eagerly shared how we met through the DEN (Discovery Educator Network). “Because of the DEN” (DENSI 2016 & Day of Discovery 2016) and our time at ISTE17 in San Antonio we have had several opportunities to share at conferences. I count myself blessed that our paths have crossed and we are able to support each other and push one another professionally.

Of course one of the biggest draws at ISTE is the Expo Hall and while strolling up and down the endless aisles I chatted with EdTech Gurus and companies that create or share tools that enhance learning experiences and engage students.