Classroom

ISTE 2011 Wrap-up

Unlocking Potential in Philadelphia

This year's ISTE conference attracted nearly 18,000 educators, manufacturers and industry leaders from 63 countries to the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Over four-plus days, attendees sat in on hundreds of educational sessions and workshops, explored the offerings of more than 1,400 booths in the exhibit hall, and networked with colleagues both in person and through the conference's various social media outlets.

The ISTE crowd is always an enthusiastic bunch, and this year was no different. Hot topics of discussion included educational technology funding (or the lack thereof); the emergence of tablet computers, smartphones and other mobile learning devices in the classroom; how to prepare for "Bring Your Own Technology" programs in school districts of all types and sizes; the best strategies for integrating 21st century skills and technologies into the curriculum; and the proliferation of programming designed to spark student interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

For more from the show, check out our blog posts and videos.

Keynote: Bending the Brain

It's often said that people use only 10 percent of their brain capacity. It's also said that every person has either a "left-brain" or a "right-brain" personality. Dr. John Medina, a developmental molecular biologist, research consultant and author of Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home and School, begs to differ.

In his opening remarks before a packed auditorium of educators and IT decision makers...