This week, thirteen FFT Fellows join more than 21,000 educators seeking ways to leverage technology that changes the way teaching and learning takes place. The location is San Antonio, TX, and the event is ISTE 2017.
What makes the International Society of Technology Educators conference one of the most popular Fellow destination year after year?
“It would be nearly impossible to reach all my learners by traditional teaching,” explained Whitney Wadecki, teacher at Quaker Hill Elementary School in Quaker Hill, CT. “That’s why technology is so important to me and my students. I can meet all my students at their academic level with the support of different technologies.”
Barbara Johnson, teacher at Jack Jackter Intermediate in Colchester, CT, also relies on technology to create personalized learning environments.
“As a certified librarian and a leader in educational technology integration in my state, I am always looking for "what's next,” said Barbara, who also attended the EdMedia conference in Washington D.C. with her Fund for Teachers grant. “I have always wished to attend the EdMedia and ISTE conferences to explore the topics that are currently revolutionizing education and to collaborate with educators who are leading the way in this transformation. I will be exposed to cutting-edge technology, highly regarded experts in the field and examples of best practices in the Future Ready classroom.”
You can follow Barbara’s experience on Twitter at @technojohnson.
Barbara, Whitney and three teacher teams are using FFT grants to take advantage of the world’s most comprehensive ed tech event, learning from professionals and networking with peers.
Leon Tynes, teacher at Engineering & Science University Magnet in West Haven, CT, is actively trying to fit in as many breakout sessions, demonstrations and key note speakers as possible.
“I signed up to assist in Microsoft booth on Monday and Tuesday as a Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert (MIEEs), which has been amazing as they announce new products and services. On Sunday Night, I attended a networking event for the MIEEs, where Melissa Manzione [Leon’s fellowship partner] and I met amazing educators affiliated and certified with Microsoft products,” said Leon. “Also on Monday, I connected with some of this year's class of PBS Digital Innovators (I was in the 2016 class) and provided some insight into what they can expect. I also spent some time with Sparkfun Electronics as the recipient of their community partnership. Today I am visiting the Raspberry Pi playground as a newly certified Raspberry Pi educator; and tonight, Melissa and I will attend the Hack the Classroom event sponsored by Microsoft where teachers present best practices and collaborate live during the event.”
On Monday afternoon, Leon received a Technology in Action award from ISTE.
Teachers not able to make it to ISTE this year can still take advantage of the ISTE community in the following ways:
EdTekHub - a monthly emailed roundup of edtech ideas and best practices
Online Digital Citizenship Academy (fee-based)
Verizon Mobile Learning Academy (free)
The ISTE Online Community
“We take great pride in offering our students a chance to sample new technology, new pedagogy and new learning experiences,” said Melissa. “In order to offer amazing things to our students, we must know what opportunities exist. The ISTE conference is our conduit to those possibilities - what happens after that is up to us.”
