#ISTE2015 Before During After - the 411 So You Don't 911

 via https://www.flickr.com/photos/barkbud/4257136773

ISTE is BIG. It's easy to get overwhelmed.  

Here are my tips for newbies on the PRE-DURING-POST ISTE Experience:

 


Pre-ISTE - getting to ISTE early is worth it!

• HACK ED 15 Event Saturday, June 27th, 2015 from 8:00am - 4:00pm at the Pennsylvania Convention Center (113BC) use hashtags: #hacked15 or #hackeducation Expand your brain - great ideas and conversations all day long organized by great brains like @AudreyWatters and @SteveHargadon - you don't have to go all day (especially if you are going to our iPad workshop - see shameless self promotion below) See ISTE Unplugged http://www.isteunplugged.com/sat-627-hack-education.html

• Digital Storytelling with iPad, Book Creator and Green Screen Doink App (WHO25) 6/27 12:30 to 3:30 pre-conference workshop (self promotion I know but it will be hands-on fabulousness!)
• The Hack Education After-Party - Saturday, June 27, 2015 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM  Philadelphia Marriott Downtown- Grand Ballroom D FUN*FUN*FUN

• Invent To Learn Day of Hard Fun @ISTE 2015 http://www.inventtolearn.com/iste/ I went before #ISTE2013 and had a blast and learned so much from @garystager and @smartinez

• Global Education Day Sunday, June 28th, 2-5pm
  Pennsylvania Convention Center - Room 103B/C. Another great ISTE Unplugged event!
  Register: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/global-education-day-at-iste2015-registration-16556665432

• Independent Educators Dinner (hopefully you signed up already - if not contact @vvrotny but it may be too late) Sunday night - can't wait to meet up with all the big brains that contribut to the weekly #isedchat every Thursday night :)

• ISTE Communities - consider joining one or more of the ISTE communities - it's a great way to make connections in an area of interest.

During ISTE- My Top 10

1. dress comfortably in layers - some rooms will be cold, others hot-for goodness sake - forget style - wear comfy shoes - you will walk miles
2. bring your chargers
3. bring lots of business cards with you to drop in all the raffle drawings you will come across in the exhibition hall - if you don't have cards - create labels (even better) that have your information - it will save you oodles of time
4. have a plan! scope out the program ahead of time - if you are going with a group consider using a google doc or evernote to organize and share information - know who you want to see in the exhibition hall too - it can be really overwhelming if you don't know your "musts" ahead of time
5. visit the Blogger's Cafe - great minds there - usually veteran ISTE attendees who can give you lots of tips
6. Take a water bottle with you and a couple of snacks - sometimes you get so busy you forget to eat
7. Visit Philly! It's a great city with so much to see!
8. Talk to people - it's the conversations around the hallways that can really elevate your learning experience - make connections-get on Twitter - ask others for their handles-download the @Tweechme app
9. Try not to carry too much with you! It's tempting to pick up everything you see in the Exhibition Hall but sometimes a few snapshots on your phone can really tell the story just as well. 
10. Be open. Be curious. Have fun.

Post ISTE

1. Stay in touch with connections you made. Review the #ISTE2015 and #ISTE15 hash tags for things you might have missed.
2. Read over your notes and try to summarize while fresh in your head.
3. Think about how you can best share this information with your school community - think about creating those presentations during the summer before the school year approaches - make it a priority. 
4. Prepare for next year!