T&L Advisor Guest post — Carl Hooker, Director of Instructional Technology, Eanes Independent School District: As I walk the halls of ISTE 2016, I like to ask people what their experience of an event of this magnitude is like for them. “Overwhelming” “Exciting” “Exhausting” “Inspiring” are some of the most repeated quotes from the more than 18,000 attendees here. I can’t say that I disagree with any of those quotes. As someone presenting multiple sessions, switching from learner to teacher can be exhausting but also exciting. One follow-up question I try to ask that same group of attendees is “what is something you will take away and use in your classroom?” Too often at big events like this, we are inspired by ideas but don’t take the time to sit and reflect to really think about how they will integrate all the thoughts and ideas flowing through Denver this week. One of the biggest take aways for me this week is that the coding movement is REAL. Whether in sessions, in the exhibit hall, or with the keynote speakers, we’ve definitely surpassed the “hour of code” in schools and the next challenge is integrating it into every day curriculum.
As someone who attends ISTE every year, I’m excited for what the future will bring and I really hope this coding movement isn’t just a trend, but a foreign language in schools for the future.
