1. Idea #3 Otterbox for Education
1.1. Vendor: Ottorbox
1.1.1. While Otterbox might not sound like the most interesting vendor at ISTE, it certainly got my attention. My school has a 1:1 device initiative, and everyday sure enough a student tells me their device is either broken or is out being repaired. I can't help but think that if districts invest the money into a quality case for their devices such as Otterbox, it would not only save the district money on repairs and replacements, but also help cut down on wasted class time dealing with students who don't have or can't use their device.
2. Idea #4 Google for Education
2.1. What School Leaders Need to Know about Google Apps for Education
2.1.1. Google had a sizable presence at ISTE and I think that speak volumes of their current place in the education world. The Google family of apps are tremendous tool for education, and are ones that I use myself in my teaching. Students and faculty having access to all their files from anywhere at anytime is tremendous. I am fortunate to be in a building where every student has their own Chromebook, making integration of Google even smoother. Google Apps are built around collaboration. A theme that is so important in the classroom. Google Apps for Education are secure, free, and I've seen first hand that they can have a huge impact on learning.
2.2. Presenter: Ken Shelton
3. Idea #1 Makerspace
3.1. Snapshot 1 of 2: Creating a Makerspace for Our Inner City School
3.1.1. Makerspaces seem to be sweeping the nation in our school system. This is a trend that not only intrigues me, but inspires me. Throughout ISTE, Makerspaces were spoken about in detail as spaces in libraries that are about creating and "Project Based Learning". It was said multiple times that at everyone's core in one way or another we are all makers. This truly resonated with me. This coming school year I will undertake the task of creating my own Makerspace in my school with the help of my school librarian. After seeing all the good that results from MakerSpaces first hand at ISTE, I am even more excited than I already was.
3.2. Presenters: Iram Khan and Margaret Westaway
4. Idea #2 Aurasma
4.1. Snapshot 1 of 2: From QR Codes to Augmented Reality
4.1.1. Aurasma is easily the idea that stuck most with me from ISTE. The second I saw it explained by Jean-Pierre Trudeau I was totally fascinated. Aurasma lets you scan a picture (, and that picture links you to a video you have selected and the picture comes alive! These projects are called “Auras”. This works similar to how QR Codes work. This coming school year I intend to create an interactive “Get to know your faculty” photo wall using that member of the faculty's photo as the trigger image! I think this will do a lot to engage and comfort the anxious crop of 6th graders we have coming in.
4.2. Presenter: Jean-Pierre Trudeau
5. Idea #5 App Smashing
5.1. Snapshot 2 of 2: Smash, Mash and Hack Your Way to Your Own Dynamic Makerspace
5.1.1. App Smashing is a concept that I came across while taking part in John Parker's session, "Smash, Mash and Hack Your Way to Your Own Dynamic Makerspace". App Smashing essentially means using the separate functions and capabilities of a number of different apps to create one robust project. This concept really stuck with me is an idea I will take with me into my classroom and school's Makerspace. App-Smashing exposes students to different tools, and helps them to learn to figure out how everything can come together with just a little creative thought.