For the last several years, I’ve become more and more of a part of the Ed Tech Disneyland/Super Bowl called ISTELive or “ISTE” for short. Despite my best intentions, I over schedule myself, stay out too late, and usually lose my voice (not this year!). One of the big things I’ve always enjoyed about this conference is that it brings together the greatest hearts and minds in education and technology. it’s a blend of thought leadership, visionary beliefs, and realistic application all rolled into one.
This year was special for a couple of reasons (more on that in a minute), but there were some interesting trends I also picked up on during this nearly 96-hour marathon conference. What follows are some of the things I gleaned via informal conversations, podcast interviews, exhibit hall chats, and session interactions.
1. The AI Hype Cycle Has Peaked
As someone who has spent nearly a year and half buried deep into the world of AI integration in schools, this comes somewhat as a bitter-sweet opinion. I’ve written a book on the subject and even just recently published an audio book as well, but the truth is, I think we’ve passed the peak of the Gartner Hype Cycle when it comes to Generative AI. (see graphic below)
While Generative AI burst onto the scene in late 2022, the 2023 edition of ISTELive had only a handful of AI-based sessions. Not this year. According to ISTE insiders, nearly 90% of session submissions this year contained some sort of tie-in to AI. I was involved in 7 different sessions and 6 of those had AI influence. That said, after reflecting on the conference, I think I can safely say, we are past the peak and quickly heading into the “trough of disillusionment” when it comes to AI in education….and that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
Yes, there were sessions about how to use AI as a tool, but there were now many more sessions focused on how to use it to help with learning, how AI bias affects us, and how AI might be able to help with teacher productivity (and burnout). Shout out to Alana Winnick for putting together a rock-star panel to discuss this and more when it comes to AI including Ken Shelton, Vicki Davis, Donnie Piercy, Tim Needles and Matt Miller.
2. Everything is Cyclical
Speaking with those that have been in the field for 20+ years, there is a sentiment that “we’ve been here before” when it comes to AI. Whether it be the launch of the internet, the encouragement of web 2.0 tools, the promise of social media or implementation of the app store (“there’s an app for that”), this feels like déjà vu all over again. The overwhelming sense I experienced from those experienced educators is that we should take a cautiously optimistic approach when it comes to AI. Social media gives us a great cautionary tale on how we can take a tool of promise and quickly watch it devolve our society. The app store showed us how we can get infatuated by mobile tools even if they don’t really change our approach in how we teach and learn. This has to be different.
Generative AI still has a long way to go, and with nearly 70% of teachers not trained in its use, we should be able to correct the errors of our past when it comes to thoughtful integration. That said, for those of us raised in the 1900s, it feels like we’ve “been there, done that” with AI. One session I really enjoyed was the Mythbusters session hosted by Steve Dembo, which featured many different ideas beyond just AI by amazing educators like Nicholas Provenzano, Kimberley Wright, Sarah Thomas, and Jen Hall.
3. Educator Mental Health is Still a Concern
The use of AI to help with teacher productivity and time efficiency is really a necessary band-aid to stop the bleeding of teacher mental health. It doesn’t however solve the bigger issue as to why teachers are burning out at such a high rate. Teacher burn-out may of peaked at 44% in 2023, but there were enough conversations and sessions at ISTELive this year to make me see we still have a problem in education.
When you add to that the 45% decline of enrollment in teacher prep programs over the last decade and we have to start to think that even AI can’t help the direction of our profession. In the nearly dozen podcast interviews I gave at ISTELive, the undercurrent of mental health is more present than ever. We have to start taking teacher mental health much more seriously than allowing the occasional jean day or putting a sticky bun in a teacher’s mailbox.
4. Immersive Technology Holding Steady
This year’s event doubled down on esports and AR/VR by creating spaces for both to be showcased. While AI may be stealing the show, these technologies still have a place for certain segments of our student population, even if they do require a significant amount of funds to be realized in a classroom. I lost count at the number of Meta Smart Ray-Bans I saw people wearing too, which makes me think the wearable market might still be alive and well despite the collapse of Google Glass nearly a decade ago.
5. The ESSER Spending Cliff is Here
While the exhibit floor was alive and buzzing as usual, behind the scenes conversations with many ed tech companies revealed that spending on events and conferences are sharply declining. This is largely due to the expiration of ESSER funds on September 30, 2024. From the ed tech company point of view, this means holding on to current subscribers and preparing for a drop-off in spending in the short-term while schools figure out how to fund their current and ongoing programs. Couple this with expansion of “free” AI tools being gobbled up by tech giants like Microsoft, Adobe, Canva, Meta, Google and Apple (finally), and it doesn’t take much to see the future looks very limiting for schools and companies when it comes to spending for the next couple of years.
6. This Event is a Family Reunion
Now that we have all the ed tech trend stuff out of the way, I want to share what I really feel this event is about. Yes, there are new tools, ideas, and strategies shared amongst the 12,000+ attendees, but there are also smiles, hugs, and tears. While hosting our 5th annual Ed Tech Poetry Slam, a guest shared with me that in her 25 years in education, this was her first ISTE event. “This is like a family reunion. This community is so welcoming and friendly, more so than any other education event I’ve been to in my career,” she said.
I will double-down on that and share that what brings me the most joy at these events is re-connecting with friends and colleagues that I haven’t seen in the past year. Stories about kids, aging parents, health issues, and career changes are interchangeable throughout the day and after the sessions end. For me, seeing my “brother from another mother” and “partner in rhyme” Dr. Adam Phyall make his return from a recent bout of cancer brought a tear and smile to my face. The way this community has supported his journey goes well beyond any fancy new AI tool. It made me realize again, that despite all the wizardy of new technology in schools, it really comes down to the people.
Cheers to Adam and all those educators fighting (and winning) their own battles. The locations for the event may change, the people may age, and some will leave us. The tools will be fancier, the innovation will inspire, and companies will come and go. But in the end, it’s important to remember the community that we are all a part of. That is what keeps me going. That is what keeps me coming back. That is what motivates my own learning. I hope to see you all in my home state next summer and maybe this time, I’ll take more time to slow down and enjoy time with my ed tech family.
Here’s a fun recap video of my adventures this year in Denver!
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