3 tips for making the most of ISTE 2024 as a K12 technology professional

We'll see you there!

Instinctive will be at ISTE 2024 too. Schedule time with us for:

• Chromebook management tips. Want to learn how to disable or move 50 Chromebooks at once? Need an easier way of downloading CSVs of your devices? Is it time to figure out why some of your Chromebooks have slightly different settings than others? We'll teach you the latest best practices for managing Chromebooks in bulk.
• Admin Console Q&A, answering all of your questions about how to use and navigate the Google Admin Console like an expert.
• Product demos of Instinctive, showing you the latest features.
• Conversations with the founding team.

We'll also be giving away ultra smooth precision screwdriver kits from iFixit. Schedule time to chat with us to reserve your slot!

Tip 1: Take advantage of product demo opportunities to see with your own eyes

Unforunately it's become all too common for school software providers to restrict full product demos to people who have signed up, been vetted, and are willing to join a lengthy sales call. Sometimes you just want to see what a product looks like and how it works before entering the sales process. Sometimes you want to compare different competing solutions side-by-side. ISTE is a great place for this because you can find all of the vendors in close proximity and can ask them to show rather than tell. Take advantage!

Tip 2: Be skeptical of trendy tech; focus on what you'll use every day

Trendy new technologies have a tendency to dominate large conventions. Since last ISTE, almost every technology vendor has scrambled to develop an AI marketing story, whether or not it really makes sense for their product or helps solve real needs for your district. By contrast, there will be vendors who are remaining focused on less trendy but more useful tools you'll use every day.

That's not to say that AI isn't an exciting new technology worth some attention, just that you'll probably learn more about it from vendors that are AI-first rather than adding it on to an existing product. Speaking of which...

Tip 3: Find the new entrants that are doing something different

Every year there will be new vendors showing up and showing off new tools that are really different and worthwhile. Here are a few ones we're excited to see this year:

• Kyron Learning - Kyron Learning is one of those exceptional new companies that's doing something new and different with AI. Kyron is an interactive video learning platform where students can engage in dialog throughout the lesson. You'll have to try it yourself to feel how new and exciting this type of engagement is.
• Magic School AI - Magic School AI is quickly becoming the default AI tool customized for K12, so we'd recommend stopping by their booth at ISTE so you can learn the latest.
• Instinctive.app - Hey, did we mention we'll be at ISTE too? Come say hi and talk to us about a better management experience for Google Workspace and Chromebooks. See you there!