ISTE's Top 10 Nooks and Crannies

We all know that it is the nooks and crannies that make an English muffin special…you know those little areas where the butter can pool?  The same can be said for the nooks and crannies at ISTE, there are some great little sideshows where people can pool to replace :) with real smiles!   The point of ISTE is, after all, to network,  share, experience and learn face to face. 

Most conference goers are quite familiar with concurrent sessions – workshops, research paper sessions, panels, etc.  There are LOTS of them at ISTE – take advantage, but leave some time to explore some of these other nooks and crannies:

1.       PosterSessions- In these action packed hallways, educators focus on the implementation of a lesson, curriculum, technology, model or project displaying student work.  Most will give you links and handouts to resources.  Like speed dating only you don’t have to invest a whole hour (that’s about how long my dates lasted).

2.       Studentshowcases- who in education can resist these kids grades K-12 as they explain their projects?  Hear success stories from the horses’ mouths.

3.       Globalcollaboration projects- These focus on curriculum projects that involve collaborations between or among learners in different countries.  Again, resources to get in on the action are provided.

4.       ISTEIgnite sessions:  Check out this fast paced event in which these illustrious (Will Richardson, Adam Bellow, etc.) presenters have 5 minutes and 20 slides to demonstrate their passions and ignite yours. Monday, 6/25/2012, 8:30am–9:30am, SDCC 6F Tuesday 6/26/2012 3:45-4:45

5.       Birds of a Feather Sessions:  These are informal one-and- a-half hour sessions that allow like-minded Informal to get together and network.  These groups are listed under concurrent sessions in the program.

6.       Special Interest Groups events:   Get with your peeps and explore common ground.  Check out the open house to see what these groups have to offer.  Sunday 3-5 Lobby DE

7.       Tweet up meet up:  Meet your @friends #face to face  Sunday 3-5 Lobby DE

8.       Young educators network :  Goes without saying that I will not be welcome there!

9.       Affiliate Receptions:  Find your local or regional technology educators group and share some food and drink!

10.   Playgrounds:  Come and play at ISTE’s Special Focus Playgrounds.  Explore games, tools and resources.

11.   Lounges:  (okay there are really 11 – but 10 sounds so much cooler!) Network in a comfortable lounge with edubloggers, give a presentation at ISTE Unplugged, join leaders, advocates or make global connections in one of the ISTELounges in the Sails Pavilion.  Great place to sit down and rest your weary feet! 

Look for me at:

Poster Session:  Magnetic Space:  NASA and ISTE Cyber Café’s Educational Tools  Halls DE Lobby Table 24. 

ISTE Shred session- that’s right folks in just two minutes I will give you all I’ve got to convince you to attend my workshop that afternoon.  Fun, upbeat and competitive…what more could you want at 7am?  SDCC 33C

Volunteer Traffic Jedi – Yep, I will be holding up the big question mark on Tuesday…hope they let me take it home.  Volunteering is a great way to meet people and give back (and get a t-shirt)

Model Classroom – come see, hear, and experience what it would be like to be in my middle school classroom as I combine social studies, language arts and technology to teach kids how to think, not what to think!  (With Jennifer Miller)  3:45-4:45 SDCC 2

Of course, if you are not there, you can follow us at #iste2012 or participate remotely.  Perhaps next year, I’ll wear a head cam!