Survival Guide for Not Being at ISTE
It’s been a year since I was Not at ISTE. And two years since I was at ISTE in real life. A lot has changed since then, but one thing remains the same. I have serious FOMO. To aid in my affliction and to turn lemons into lemonade, I have actively been seeking ways to participate at ISTE while not at ISTE. Besides staying in your PJs and the occasional Fortnite break, here are my top tips for participating in ISTE while Not at ISTE.
Top Tips for NOT AT ISTE
Have an EdTechTeam Party
EdTechTeam is going to be at ISTE! Get virtual by checking out EdTechTeam’s Teaching Theater Schedule and register for the live broadcast. Mark your calendar, invite NotAtISTE friends and get your Chicago-themed To-Go order planned out.
Grab the Popcorn and Experience Live!
In addition to the EdTechTeam Live Teaching Theater, watch live on Periscope and follow #PassTheScopeEDU. Or if you fancy putting your listening skills to the test, tune in to the On Education Podcast. Other great places to peruse and people watch is Instagram & Voxer.
NotAtISTE Google Plus Community
Join this group of NotAtISTE educators who happily pronounce they are not at ISTE while sharing a plethora of resources. Stay in your pajamas, join here and start your virtual learning journey today!
Enlist your PLN
Start a movement! While there is a multitude of reasons why educators like us could not attend this year’s ISTE conference, we are not going to let that get us down. Reach out fervently to your Professional Learning Family to lend and get the support you need. Have colleagues or virtual besties attending ISTE? Reach out and get the conversation going! Sharing is caring…(while in your pajamas)
Download the ISTE 18 App
What’s better than browsing the ISTE app at ISTE? Browsing the app while in your pajamas! Download the app for iOs and Google Play and check out the Program Guide to take your NotAtISTE party to another level.
Be a Professional Learning Stalker
Follow, follow, follow! Fortunately, professional learning excuses obsessive online following that otherwise in real-life, would be deemed, well, creepy. Some great hashtags to follow are #ISTE18, #PresentersOfISTE and #NotatISTE. Following presenters as well will give you a glimpse of the action and resources you can use in your own context. (and review in your pajamas) Be sure to give shout-outs, credit, and inspiration as you share with the world what you are learning while NotAtISTE.
Be in the Know with the Standards
Take this time to get ahead. While others are learning amazing things at ISTE, dive into the ISTE standards and begin to plan your own innovative roadmap of how to integrate the standards meaningfully into your work with students and educators. (again, in your pajamas)
Look to the Future
I plan on gearing up now for #MakingItToISTE. Join me on my quest for scouting the location and updates for #ISTE19. Create a Google Keep to-do list complete with Airbnb checks and calendar reminders. Together, we can do it!
Jokes aside, I am super excited and grateful for all the opportunities that ISTE and other educator communities online provide the NotatISTE group to feel like they belong and are part of something bigger. It is a clear reminder of the power of social media and online learning. The inspiration, sharing, resources, and learning that goes on at this year’s ISTE conference exponentially reaches educators across the globe virtually and in real life- all for the unquantifiable positive effect on students. Together we are totally better.
See you NotatISTE soon!
Gail Moore
Instructional Technology Facilitator
Google Certified Trainer & Innovator
Washington State
@gailkmoore
