1 Pay Attention to the Keynote Sessions: ISTE takes risks in their big keynote sessions. Attend or watch from a remove viewing area. Even if you don’t like the speaker, the conversation with those around you will give you a jolt of energy.
2 Attend the Playgrounds and Poster Sessions: These sessions are the fastest way to learn a lot in a short period of time. Many people go to these areas instead of going to sessions. You can learn from several people in a short period of time, and you can move on if you are bored.
3 Spark up Conversation in the Bloggers’ Café and Hallways: Jump into conversations and ask questions. People are very open to conversation and new ideas at ISTE.
4 Don’t Be Afraid to Leave a Session: Choose carefully and don’t be afraid to leave if you aren’t getting anything out of the session. Your time is valuable. Plan on leaving a session or two and use that time for the ISTE sponsor floor.
5 Hang Out at the After Events: Go to these. Even if you don’t have an invite, you can find a friend to bring you along (see # 3). This is a time when you can learn from your peers, when they are relaxed and willing to share real information about what’s going on. The sponsors of these events are rarely pushy and you might find a few good new contacts in schools or industry.
