1. It's Not about the Tech
| I used to come to ISTE to add tools to my toolbox to be a better educator. I still need those tools and look for them. I love it when someone shares something new, a site or an app I can adapt and use to meet the needs of the learners I work with, but Sunday afternoon I attended the ignite sessions. These sessions reminded me to think beyond the technology. Pernille Ripp, creator of the Global Read Aloud Project, spoke about the importance of having schools be a place where students are given a voice. Then later Dr. Robert Dillon, Director of Technology and Innovation for the Affton School District, spoke about social justice and reminded us that “all children deserve hope and all children matter.” Aren’t these the reasons many of us got into education? It wasn’t about the tech. Thank you ISTE for including these topics at a "tech conference." See an portion of Pernille Ripp's ISTE Ignite talk. See the transcript from Dr. Robert Dillon's Ignite talk on his blog or view it on YouTube. |  Pernille Ripp, delivers #ISTE2015 Ignite talk about student voice and how we promote students to be passionate learners.  Dr. Robert Dillion shares about "Living Ferguson" and the importance of social justice as educators in his #ISTE2015 Ignite. |
2. Together We are Smarter
I have connected with so many AMAZING educators online through Twitter, Google+ and this Community or that and honestly, it has made the world flat, so that’s where I pick up some new tools, tips or tricks when I’m ready for them. The conversations I am able to have online are great, but I do value the face to face time with these educators that I may not have gotten the chance to meet and know otherwise. As I was getting ready for one of my sessions I was torn between what five items to show and was able to talk to some people I respect. It's hard to pick just 5, I can give pros and cons of so many great things based on the learning situation. Crowdsourcing on social media is great, but it gets better when you can have that conversation face to face too!
When I am able to stop and see my PLN folks face to face, it is like catching up with an old friend you haven’t seen in awhile, but you don’t miss a beat about what is going on with each other. We are able to dig a bit deeper and go more in depth than we may have online. Guess what, they are better in person!
3. Start with the WHY!
Unfortunately, I was on a train on my way to catch a plane and couldn’t attend the ISTE closing keynote by Josh Stumpenhorst, Illinois 2012 teacher of the year, but thanks to Periscope and Kyle Pace, we were able to watch on the train! As a new school year is quickly approaching Josh challenged us to start with asking ourselves, “Why?” Why must be the first question we ask because if we can’t answer why the how will be irrelevant! This thought resonated with me, as educators we are surrounded by hows, how can we motivate that student? how will we get them to grade level? how will we get devices in their hands? When really we should be asking ourselves, WHY! Often times we get hung up on the how without keeping in mind the why and our ultimate goal for student growth!
~Stacy Behmer, Coordinator of Digital Learning - @sbehmer +StacyBehmer
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