Final week, the academic know-how world got here collectively in New Orleans to have a good time pupil achievement by means of educational know-how on the annual ISTE convention. Whereas the convention itself remains to be thought of an annual occasion, one thing completely different was within the air. (We are going to get to the plain a bit later)
Trying Again at #ISTELIVE22
This 12 months, academics, directors, academic manufacturers, and even the occasional celeb content material creator (taking a look at you Zach King) had one thing new to have a good time. For a lot of, this was the primary time in three years that the chance got here to satisfy one another nose to nose in particular person. There have been smiles, there have been tears, there have been hugs and naturally, there was …..
However, earlier than we share a number of the actions that occurred after #ISTELIVE, there was a celebration. We discovered about Augmented and Digital Actuality. We discovered about Microsoft Groups and Google Classroom. We even discovered find out how to remodel your classroom right into a digital atmosphere utilizing cutting-edge greenscreen know-how.
However … Then it Happed
Then it was time to go dwelling. Some left on Wednesday. Some left on Thursday. Some had their flights delayed. I”m pretty positive some are nonetheless within the airport.
Then the emails got here in. The primary one was a shock. How might this occur? We have been all protected. Weren’t we? We took our pre-tests. We added our medical info to the CLEAR app. We wore our badges. Had been we not doing the appropriate factor?
Then the second e mail, after which the third e mail got here in. Then the group texts began adopted by Voxer conversations and naturally the rise of the POST-ISTE-COVID Fb Group(s).
Was I the Solely One???
With the dangerous information constructing on high of extra dangerous information, and the copy/paste of “how are you doing?” texts began floating round, educators have discovered themselves making an attempt to maintain busy whereas they navigate by means of “it”.
After some lengthy and tedious analysis on the subject, listed below are 10 issues that educators have caught themselves doing now that ISTE is over … and they’re locked of their bedrooms.
How To Hold Busy Throughout “IsolationEDU”
Binge Watch
Look, who does not need to spend their days hanging out whereas watching “a bit” of TV? However what’s in your favourite streaming providers today? Many educators have shared that they began a full marathon of the Lord of the Rings and even the MCU. One linked educator claims they’ve already watched the whole Stranger Issues present. ( who you’re)
For me, I began researching As soon as Upon a Time through the convention and have rapidly moved into the second season.
Irrespective of if you’re navigating your means by means of a film marathon or beginning to watch The Workplace, being locked in your room with a great streaming present has been a blessing over the previous few days of isolation.
Watch Recorded ISTE Classes
Top-of-the-line components about ISTE this 12 months was that it was each stay and digital. This enables educators to not solely expertise ISTE the way in which they need to, however now that the convention is behind us, they will watch any variety of recorded periods that have been offered both totally digital (presenter at dwelling) or semi-virtual (presenter was stay however cameras have been rolling)
Right here is an interview from this 12 months’s convention between me and the New EdTech Classroom cohost, Thom Gibson.
Catching up on Social Media
In the course of the convention, you might need seen that the #NotAtISTE and #ISTELive hashtags have been revolving always, and it was actually onerous to maintain up with all of the sources, images, and EDUSpam.
Many educators this week took to their Twitters to take a look at and obtain any random images that may have popped up with their images. It is like an EDUHoliday while you discover a picture you did not bear in mind existed.
Studying One thing New
One of many fantastic issues about staying at dwelling, remoted from the world, is that there’s an infinite quantity of Edutainment to digest and loads of new options of your favourite functions.
This previous week marked the rebranding of Flipgrad to “Flip,” the launching of a number of new options in Google Classroom, and new adventures in Academic Podcasting.
Listed below are a few of my favourite YouTube Channels to activate after I need to sustain with the most recent academic know-how updates.
Making New Connections
If you attend a mega-conference resembling ISTE it is easy to get caught up within the enjoyable of assembly new individuals. Sadly, the convention often ends and when you return into your property routine you neglect all in regards to the conversations you had with individuals you might need simply met.
With the intention to hold the convention alive all through the summer season, many educators have been rapidly reconnecting with one another by means of e mail and their Social Media channels to construct relationships and even plan on submitting future ISTE periods collectively for subsequent years convention in Philadelphia.
How Are You Spending Your Submit ISTE Week?
Whereas not each educator went dwelling needing to spend time remoted from family members, there have been sadly a number of who have been pressured to take just a few additional days to themselves. As I’m penning this put up, I’m at present on my third day away from my triplets and have spent a lot of my time listening to them sing from outdoors of the bed room and watching them by means of my outdoors cameras.
I hope everybody had a protected and thrilling ISTE convention this 12 months irrespective of in case you have been in New Orleans or at dwelling taking part just about.
Concerning the writer, Jeffrey Bradbury
Jeff Bradbury, creator of TeacherCast, and father of the well-known @EduTriplets Thanks for testing TeacherCast in the present day. Please take a second to seek out me on all of my Social Media channels!