What To Do During ISTE Live 2025? 10 Recommendations For Educators

Lucie Renard — Jun 17, 2025

Can you believe, in just a few weeks, school will be ending for many teachers around the globe AND it’s time for ISTELive 2025? The International Society for Technology in Education Conference is a must-attend event for anyone interested in the latest trends and innovations in educational technology.

In this post, I will unveil hidden must-visit corners, list some trailblazing sessions, and uncover newly added things to do during this year’s must-attend EdTech conference. Before I take your through my ISTE recommendations, I have 3 good tips for any ISTE visitor:

Tip 1💡 One conference registration gives you access to both ISTELive and ASCD Annual Conference content.

Tip 2💡 Use the program search to help plan your days. You can build your Learning Pathway by checking the program and starring your favorite sessions.

Tip 3💡 If you’re short on time or budget, consider registering for a free expo-only pass to explore the latest edtech tools, connect with vendors, and attend product demos—it’s a great way to stay current without committing to full session access.

Preparation is the key to a great ISTELive experience!

Attend the Opening Mainstage

Kick off your ISTELive 25 experience with the Opening Mainstage session, exploring the theme of “Guide.” This session focuses on sparking curiosity, developing expertise, and elevating reflection. ASCD + ISTE CEO Richard Culatta will commence the event, followed by Miral Kotb, Founder and Creator of iLuminate, sharing her journey of innovation at the intersection of technology and creativity. Author and strategic change expert Dan Heath will then reveal how small changes can transform classroom culture and student engagement, offering practical strategies for lasting positive change. This session sets the tone for the conference, emphasizing the power of guidance in education

Introducing “Routes” - NEW!

The community of innovative ISTE+ASCD educators has been designing themed “Routes” through the Expo Hall to reimagine how attendees explore and engage with educational solutions. Routes help participants discover solutions around themes that they care about and engage in meaningful dialogue with company representatives. ISTE+ASCD will offer sample routes that feature themes addressing specific educational challenges. ISTE’s educator community has designed these Routes to showcase diverse approaches and solutions, with built-in flexibility that encourages exploration beyond the designated paths. Additionally, ISTE+ASCD will encourage educators to create their own routes to address specific needs. Participants can join start at the trailhead at booth 2254 in the Trailblazer area. The Trailblazer Stage is also in this area, where edtech experts will share innovative approaches and engage participants in asking high-quality questions to drive meaningful conversation. Pick up some swag while you’re there, too!

Poster Sessions & Playgrounds

Poster Sessions and Playgrounds allow participants to experience multiple presentations in one area around a central theme. ISTE Seal holders will be presenting innovative elements of their products throughout the conference at poster sessions. Here are some spotlighted poster sessions and interesting playgrounds -📍 HBGCC (Poster or Playground):

Sun. June 29, 2-3:30 pm: Creative Book Report Activities to get your Students Excited to Read
Mon. June 30, 9-11 am - Playground B: Tabletop Thinking & Learning: a Game-Based ISTE Playground
Tues. July 1, 1-2:30 pm: How to Transition from Grading to Personalized Feedback
Tues. July 1, 3:30-5:30 pm - Playground B: Little Learners, BIG Ideas: Come Play in the Early Learning Playground!
Wed. July 2, 11 am-12:30 pm: 4 Steps for Supporting your Students’ Creativity 👉 ISTE Seal Holder poster session.

Tip!💡 Virtual & Free: Sign up for the ISTE SEAL webinar: Improving Student Engagement with ISTE-Aligned Digital Feedback in BookWidgets

ISTE+ASCD Launchpad

Join the ISTE+ASCD R&D team for a day full of research, feedback, and fun! Sessions include The Best in Edtech Usability, What’s AI got to do with it?, and Edtech R&D through ISTE coLab. Learn about current research initiatives, enjoy a snack, and be a part of ISTE+ASCD research! Full descriptions and times for the sessions can be found in the program search. Want to learn more? Join the team in room 221D starting at 10:00 am on Tuesday, July 1.

Creators Fiesta

Celebrate the imagination and innovation of the ISTE+ASCD community at the Creators Fiesta! This space is your destination for creative inspiration and hands-on making during your conference experience. I linked the Creators fiesta program here. Find out where and when this fiesta is getting started!

Everything AI

When checking the program, I can already state that AI will play a huge part during this year’s ISTE conference. That’s why I’m recommending some AI sessions to attend every day:

Sunday, June 29

AI Trust You—Building a Culture of Trust and Learning with AI - A session from Laguna Beach USD on implementing AI tools that foster trust between students and teachers—featuring Padlet, AI add-ons, and practical classroom strategies.
Innovative AI Teaching Techniques: Lessons from the AI School Teams Collaborative - A hands-on collaborative session where educators review, share, and adapt AI-driven instructional strategies used in real schools.
From AI Anxiety to Action: Leading Professional Growth - An Interactive Session showcasing AI-focused professional learning models from ISTE U—helping leaders assess readiness and build sustainable PD pathways.

Monday, June 30

How AI Enhances, Not Replaces, Thinking in Writing - Experience a model lesson led by students, showing how AI can support brainstorming and feedback without replacing human thought.
Empowering the Future with Inspiring AI Stories and Free AI Tools - Hosted by Microsoft—explore practical AI use-cases, connect with peers, and try free resources in a hands-on environment.
AI & Edtech Power Hour: Turbocharged Tools for Every Subject and Grade - A fast-paced panel led by Eric Curts and other educators, showcasing practical AI tools across grade levels and disciplines.

Tuesday, July 1

AI-Empowered Personalization: Transforming Learning for EVERY Student! - Discover how AI tools like Quizizz and Brisk support differentiation, scaffolding, and culturally responsive teaching via data-driven personalization
Your authentic AI journey: Tools and skills for every stage - Discover practical tools and frameworks to equip your class, school, or district for an AI-powered future. Whether it’s unpacking AI literacy, reflecting on learnings from past transformations, or getting better at identifying the hallmarks of responsibly-designed tools, this hands-on workshop provides something for everyone to chart their path with confidence..
AI Capacity Building: Empowering District Leaders - Embark on a mission to equip your district with the skills and knowledge needed to harness AI effectively.

Wednesday, July 2

The Science of Reading Reimagined: AI as Your Literacy Partner - Imagine every student feeling empowered to become a confident reader. With AI-powered technology, this dream is becoming a reality! Explore how these tools align with the Science of Reading to provide personalized support for fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.
Digital Citizenship in the Era of AI: Teaching Cyber‑Safety with Minecraft - Empower your students to navigate the AI-driven digital landscape safely and confidently.
Enhance Learning with AI: Microsoft Learning Accelerators - A fast-paced introduction to Microsoft’s AI-driven Learning Accelerators like Reading Coach, Math Coach, Search Coach, Speaker Coach, Reflect, and Education Insights. Learn how these tools streamline tasks and support personalized learning at scale.

Explore the Innovation Arcade

Dive into the Innovation Arcade, a dynamic space showcasing the latest advancements in educational technology. Here, educators can interact with cutting-edge tools and resources, including AI, AR, and VR applications. This hands-on experience allows teachers to envision how these innovations can be integrated into their classrooms to enhance learning outcomes.

Attend Social Events

Looking for opportunities to connect with ISTELive 25 and ASCD Annual 25 attendees? Find an event here or post your social event! Connect with the people behind EdTech companies, exhibitors, or EdTech influencers during these social events, or just have fun!

Explore Educator-Led Tours

Enhance your conference experience by participating in educator-led tours around San Antonio. These tours offer unique insights into the city’s culture and history, providing opportunities to learn from fellow educators while exploring local attractions. Pre-registration and additional fees may apply.

Attend the Closing Mainstage

Conclude your ISTELive 25 journey with the Closing Mainstage session, centered around the theme of “Empower.” This session emphasizes prioritizing authentic experiences and igniting agency. Jen Maestas, Deputy Director of CAST Schools and Co-Founder of SALT, will share insights from her nonlinear educational journey, demonstrating how embracing authentic experiences and nurturing agency can create transformative opportunities in education.

Wrap up

It looks like ISTE should be a few days longer. There’s so much to learn! The conference promises to be a hub of innovation and inspiration for educators from around the world. As you gear up for this exciting event, I’m sure you’re already feeling the anticipation building, just like we are! 😊

To ensure you make the most of your time at ISTE 2025, here are some useful links to help you prepare:

What are you most looking forward to at ISTELive 2025? Connect with the BookWidgets team and let us know. Share your top picks on Bluesky or join our Facebook community and share your ISTE experiences. #NotAtISTE? Don’t worry, we will keep you updated during the event. My hope is that you found innovation, inspiration, and imagination with these suggestions. Continue to be awesome. 🎉

And me? Yes, I’ll be attending ISTE 2025 live. 🙌 Connect with me in real-time at ISTE or through LinkedIn.