Reflections from ISTE 2024: Navigating AI, Wellbeing, and Accessibility
I was incredibly fortunate to attend ISTE 2024 in Denver this year — and what an experience it was! To be honest, I wasn’t sure what to expect, and “overwhelming” doesn’t even begin to describe the sheer size of the venue and the incredible range of opportunities on offer. From packed workshops to rapid-fire taster sessions, thought-provoking breakout discussions, and the mind-blowing exhibition hall, there was simply so much to take in.
Going in, I had set myself three broad goals to focus my learning:
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Deepen my understanding of the rapid developments in AI and what this means for education — especially around responsible, ethical use.
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Explore sessions addressing the social and emotional impacts of technology on learners.
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Discover innovative tools and strategies around accessibility, particularly for neurodiverse and struggling students.
By the end of the conference, I came away with more questions than answers — but that’s exactly what great learning does! I now have a much deeper appreciation of AI’s potential as a genuine game-changer in education, not just for saving time but for unlocking new forms of creativity and engagement. Tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude stood out as the “big three” in the AI conversation, and the possibilities they offer are both exciting and daunting.
One of the biggest takeaways for me was the wero we face as educators. With all the current demands on teachers, from structured literacy to curriculum refreshes, how do we also upskill staff in the responsible and effective use of AI? The learning curve feels steep, but the professional responsibility is clear: we need to model thoughtful, ethical AI use and equip our students with critical thinking skills to recognise bias, ask good questions, and be discerning users of these tools.
The sessions I attended on student wellbeing and accessibility were equally powerful. There is so much innovative work happening globally on how to use technology to better support inclusion and meet diverse learning needs.
ISTE 2024 left me energised, challenged, and excited about the future of learning. There’s a huge opportunity here — but also a responsibility to ensure technology enhances, not hinders, what matters most: human connection, equitable access, and meaningful learning that is fun!
Loved the Big Blue Bear too!
