Just returned from my one and only conference of the summer. ISTE 2018 was in Chicago this year and did not disappoint. The town is amazing, beautiful, and friendly. My hotel was a couple of miles from the conference center, but I didn’t mind the walk. I got to see Millenium Park every day.

ISTE is an educational technology conference. There are sessions about integrating technology into your classrooms, about new instructional tech that is coming onto the scene, and about improving your teaching practice. Microsoft, Apple, Google have a giant presence at this conference. Many, many sessions just from these three technology giants.

There were three keynote addresses, but I only attended one. It started with a mini-concert from the group, Musicality. They are a high school group that once appeared on America’s Got Talent. Fantastic way to start the show!

Easily the best highlight of the conference! #ISTE2018https://t.co/X4CGqB35XG

— TMichocki (@TMichocki) June 28, 2018

Author Andy Weir (@AndyWeirAuthor) did not disappoint. His session about how he started as an author was fantastic. His message was about problem-solving, never giving up, keep moving forward.

I scored a free Microsoft Innovative Educator T-shirt from the Microsoft booth, and bought a shirt from the ISTE sales booth.

I have to say that the size of this conference can be overwhelming. It took me several hours to make my way through the Expo floor where the vendors are showcasing their products. The program of sessions is extensive and it really becomes a matter of priority when deciding where to go next.

I did get to meet one of the big-cheeses from FlipGrid. Joey Taralson is really down to earth, and easy to talk to. His company was just purchased by Microsoft, but he is still the same person that I met last year.

FlipGrid is all about student voice, and I have used it in both of my AP classes. The students really like it, and I get to hear what is uppermost on their minds in response to a simple prompt.

While at the conference I finished by 2018-2019 Microsoft Innovative Education Expert application. Most of this time was spent on the 2-minute Sway. I was an MIEE last year, and it gives some credibility when presenting a new Microsoft tool to a group of teachers. I find out on August 23rd if I made the list again for this year. Fingers crossed.

One of my regrets from the conference was BCPS leadership. I saw directors and office-heads from my district, a couple that I know personally. In every case, they turned their back as soon as they saw me or ignored me completely. There were a handful of teachers from our district at the conference, and I cannot say that they all had the same reaction, but this was my experience. It just further divides the elitism that seems to exist between the district administration and the classroom teacher.