ISTE 2017!!!!

What a lucky treat, I got to attend the ISTE (iste.org) national conference in San Antonio this year.  As a Teaching and Learning Specialist in Elmbrook I sometimes wear many hats. To me it sometimes feels as if technology often takes 2nd, 3rd, or 52nd place to the many competing initiatives we are working on in the district. The ISTE conference made me realize how important and integral technology is to the education of Elmbrook students. We all want our students to be great math and reading students, however, technology is the great equalizer. It provides opportunities for all students. It made me realize how important (and challenging) our jobs as the tech leaders is. We are here to collectively build the skill, capacity, will, and knowledge of teachers, parents, and students (and even administrators).

One great speaker I saw was George Couros (@gcouros and http://georgecouros.ca/). He had a really positive message on teaching digital citizenship. He re-framed the digital citizenship conversation from what not to do with technology to "What can you do with technology." This is a departure from our typical digital citizenship lessons. He showed strong examples of students showing empathy and humanity while using technology. When students have great tasks that engage them they can use technology in ways we never have dreamed of. Just food for thought as we re-think how we deliver digital citizenship lessons.

Finally, I did visit the Alamo. I was really disappointed to learn that there isn't a basement there. I thought I had a good chance of recovering my friend PW's bike!