For five years I have watched ISTE from afar, always hoping that I would get to go some day. I have watched the Twitter feed, the Facebook posts, and had the conversations with some of the lucky ones that went. And every year to no fail there is a story of failed expectations, of something that didn’t got to plan. Well, seeing that I finally get to this year, I figured I better ask. What are the hidden rules of ISTE, or really any other major conference? What do people expect? What should I know to make sure that I not only have a great time, but that I also don’t do some sort of faux pas sure to upset others?
Also, what are your best tips? How do you make the most out of this experience? I would love to know your thoughts.
PS: Where will I be? Well here you are:
Sunday:
ISTE Townhall Lead & Transform Panel – Sunday, June 28th 9 AM to 11:30 AM. I am honored to be the teacher representative on this panel where we get to discuss how we are changing professional learning in our communities. The best part of the panel is that I get to listen to he amazing students from SLA, who will start the discussion!
ISTE Ignite – Sunday, June 28th 1:30 PM to 3 PM. I have dreamed of doing an Ignite for several years and what better place to try it than at ISTE. I don’t know whether I am more excited to speak about having courage to create passionate learning environments or listen to the other Ignite presenters!
Monday:
Monday morning – Award breakfast where the Global Read Aloud and I will be honored with the ISTE Innovation in Global Collaboration Award.
Monday lunch – The ISTE Making IT Happen award luncheon.
Personalized Learning Panel: Stories, Process and Models – Monday, June 29th 4:15 – 5:15 PM. Very excited to get to represent my district, Oregon School District, on this panel with the amazing Barbara Bray and Kathleen McClasky and others.
Tuesday:
Set Their Voices Free: How Students Can Share Their Stories – Tuesday, June 30th 10:45 AM to 11: 45 AM. I am pumped to be presenting on this topic and with these people; Erin Klein and Colby Sharp. We started planning this session this week and it promises to be hands-on with time to work, discuss, and share ideas. Isn’t that what we all hope to get from a session.
Wednesday:
Corwin Connected Educator Panel – Wednesday, July 1st 8:30 – 9:30 AM. I get to see some of my favorite people and discuss one of my passions; how do we empower students and staff in our schools with my friend and inspiration, Tony Sinanis. What isn’t there to like?
Pernille Ripp 
I dunno how you would upset anyone, intentionally or not. You are going with a purpose, but realize that the connections you make will be much more important in a month than the sessions you attend (or facilitate.) My advice would be to spend some time getting to know a few people you don’t know that well, spend some time with people you do know, and spend some time by yourself and allow yourself to disappear into the crowd. There is much to be said about being anonymous occasionally. 🙂
Being this is number 10 for me – it is pretty hard to offend anyone.
If you need to wear running shoes with your business suit, that is OK.
If your phone dies and you need to sit against a wall and charge, that is OK.
If you fall asleep on Wednesday because you are exhausted, that is OK.
Here are some of the biggest things I learned:
Text messaging works so much better than trying to call on the phone.
Keeping your phone on vibrate is important (no matter how loud your ring is, you will not hear it).
The conference booklet you get at check-in will give you some specific ins and outs.
Pernille, so excited for you! Here is my blog post on #ISTE2015 – hope it helps! The Tech Sherpa Blog: #ISTE2015 Before During After – the 411 So You Don’t 911… http://thetechsherpa.blogspot.com/2015/06/iste2015-before-during-after-411-so-you.html?spref=tw