#iste2014 in full swing

ISTE is one of the biggest edtech teachers’ conferences in the world. This year it is downtown Atlanta, Georgia, USA #iste2014. As it is my third time at ISTE, I am feeling quite comfortable with the huge crowds, the vast array of sessions that participants can attend and seeking out many of my online network as well as making new contacts. However, it is still a challenge to share regularly on the social media including twitter, instagram, FB, skype and even this blog.

Flying in just in time for the start of the conference brings the challenges of jetlag, time zone changes, climate differences (from the depths of Australian winter to the height of the northern hemisphere summer.) etc. There is always some angst as to ‘not wanting to miss out on anything’, what should I attend and how much time should be spent seeking out the PLN, meeting new people and looking around the city that ISTE is held in.

Saturday morning was spent with some friends at the Martin Luther King Centre, checking out many of the displays, viewing the eternal flame, entering his church, walking through his boyhood home and looking at the museum.

As day 1 tends to have a global theme, the globaled summit was the first official session attended. A number of ignite sessions and round table discussions took place during this 3 hour time slot. I was proud to lead the discussion on Bridging Cultural Differences. 

Global Classroom Project educators

Immediately after this session it was time to head to the Bloggers Cafe and avoid the queues and crowds lining up for the opening Keynote speaker, Ashley Judd, an actress and a producer. However, we ended up in the poster session area as the cafe was crowded and several of us were helping  Louise Morgan with the Globalclassroom poster session. It was great to work with David, Theresa, Preston, Robyn and Karen. The two hours flew by as many, many people walked past and showed interest in the these wonderful global opportunities.

And that ended a long, but wonderful day!