Key points:
ISTELive 25 and the ASCD Annual Conference 25 will be held together in San Antonio this year, giving attendees twice the opportunity to connect with likeminded educators, explore how edtech can change teaching and learning, and invigorate their own teaching practices.
Featured speakers and highlighted voices include school district superintendents, professors, podcasters, executive directors, researchers, authors, and more.
Be sure to reserve time for the Creators Fiesta, a destination for creative discovery and hands-on making. Explore and experiment in the hands-on Fiesta Studio–part creator space, part art lab. Keep an eye out for daily activities with local artists who will lead drop-in workshops to get the creative juices flowing.
And don’t forget about the Innovation Arcade, where attendees can experience immersive learning in real time. This AI, VR, and AR exploration zone is where innovation meets education in a dynamic virtual learning environment.
Here’s a sampling of the dynamic live and virtual ISTE and ASCD sessions educators can attend:
1. How I Used (and Didn’t Use) AI in My Classroom: How quickly should we incorporate AI in our classrooms? What should we use? How much? When I returned to the classroom, I faced those same questions. I’ll share how I used AI to teach, what I didn’t use, how quickly I rolled it out, and tips for success.
2. AI Trust You- Building a Culture of Trust and Learning with AI: Discover how LBUSD empowers educators through thoughtful AI integration. Learn from their journey, featuring the innovative AI Trust You Add-On that fosters stronger student-teacher trust. Gain practical, classroom-ready strategies to support staff in implementing AI effectively. Join us to explore the future of education with AI.
3. Igniting STEM Learning Across the Elementary Curriculum: Explore our innovative unit planning approach that ignites student creativity and problem-solving through engineering design. We blend math, robotics, reading, and writing for engaging, collaborative learning. Discover our developed projects and strategies to bring these STEM activities into your classroom.
4. Six High-Impact Instructional Strategies Centering Student Voice in 60 Minutes: Join six practitioners sharing instructional practices to amplify student voice and foster equity. Each strategy prioritizes student-centered learning, giving students agency and ensuring diverse voices are heard. Participants will gain practical, ready-to-use approaches to create inclusive/responsive learning environments as a tool for liberation and empowerment.
5. Building Confident Educators 101: The Art of Differentiating Instruction: “Differentiating Instruction 101” is a hands-on workshop that equips educators with essential strategies for addressing diverse student needs. Participants will learn to tailor teaching methods and materials to various learning styles, abilities, and interests, fostering inclusive, engaging classrooms that support all students’ success.
a6. Cultivating Confidence: Transforming Middle Grades Math Education: A public charter school in Orangeburg, SC, offers a dynamic Algebra 1-focused related arts course to enhance math and reading skills while fostering positive math identities. In this session, participants will learn effective data collection methods, strategies for parental engagement, and techniques that help students embrace another math class.
7. Beyond College or Career: Navigating the Evolving Landscape of Post-Secondary Pathways: Beyond diplomas: Explore the implications of valuing vocational paths alongside college degrees in an evolving workforce. Join the debate on how shifting educational priorities could impact future generations and society as a whole.
8. A Whole Child Approach to Learning Loss and Recovery: Throughout the U.S., K-12 students suffered historic learning loss due to COVID-19. While progress has been made, achievement gaps have widened, particularly among underserved students. This session will guide school leaders in taking bold, evidence-based action to realign structures, systems, and instructional practices to accelerate recovery.
9. Revolutionizing School Attendance: The 6 Principles for Equitable Engagement: Transform your school’s attendance culture by implementing six revolutionary principles of equitable engagement, with thoughtful use of technology supporting these efforts. This workshop offers a comprehensive framework to address chronic absenteeism through a lens of equity and inclusion, ensuring every student is seen, valued, and motivated to attend school regularly.
10. Students to the Rescue: How to Engage Students in Authentic Problem Solving: Projects that challenge students to be local problem-solvers address key learning goals while delivering benefits beyond the classroom. Examples will show how students around the globe are having an impact on issues that matter to them. Practical strategies and resources enable participants to plan similar experiences in their communities.
Laura Ascione is the Editorial Director at eSchool Media. She is a graduate of the University of Maryland’s prestigious Philip Merrill College of Journalism.
