Okay, self...
Here are your official assignments for the ISTE Conference. These are not suggestions. They are expectations to uphold and you'll thank me for them later.
1. Meet someone new each day. And not just a shoegazer shy "hello". Nah. We want the real thing here. Learn names. Exchange Twitter handles. Give high fives. Bonus points awarded for each following contact you have with said persons. There might just be another @JenniferLaGarde out there waiting to make your acquaintance.
2. Leave your hotel room. I know you'll be tired. Lots of walking. Lots of brain stimulation and excitement and bright lights and new gadgets. But this is San Diego! You can't just go back to the hotel room and sleep. There are tons and tons of social events that will ultimately be the things you leave San Diego talking about. And many of said events have open bars, making the socializing that much easier. Come on, chap. You can watch Breaking Bad another night.
3. Venture into the unknown. Ah! A vague task... clever, right?! To accomplish, you'll have to try out something totally new that you've never tried before. And you'll have to do it with heart and genuine interest. What's that? You say Google is holding demonstrations every 15 minutes? Sign me up! Tech4Learning has a new product they'd like to share? Definitely worth our time. Random Unknown Company needs an ear and has some flashy swag? You never know... you may even like what it is they're sharing!
And lastly for this trip...
4. Put yourself out there. You do great things. You are humbled by the other even greater things people are sharing. But don't mistake this to mean you don't have something to offer. A little too much "We're not worthy" is uncomfortable for everyone. Confidence, on the other hand, gets people's attention. And why shouldn't it? Those things you did to support those students were awesome!
Okay. That's all for now and, besides, you've got to get some rest before your big day tomorrow. But don't think I won't be watching to make sure you practice the 1 thru 4's!
Make ISTE 12 worth every penny! (and then some!)
First off - this a GREAT to do list for any conference. Sometimes, in massive places like that, I'm tempted to hide in my room - but that's never the right plan. I can't wait to benefit from all the experiences that await you!
ReplyDeleteSecondly, if there's another me out there, I really want to know about it. ;-)
Have a blast, friend!
Just so you know... YOU are the absolute best in my book :)
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