An Evening of Board Games Among Educators Proves to Be a Clever Choice
The Pre-ISTE Board Game meetup, an informal gathering held before the ISTELive conference, offers educators a unique opportunity to connect, share, and engage in a fun and creative way. This yearly event, now in its second edition at ISTELive, is a beloved pre-conference staple that encourages participants to bring a game of their choosing.
Held in a hotel function room that can accommodate about 150 people, the meetup aims to connect educators in a fun and relaxed environment. It provides a casual, interactive space where educators can build communities, collaborate, and recharge before the official conference activities begin.
The Pre-ISTE Board Game meetup is the brainchild of Matt Winters, Dan Ryder, and Eric Curts, who saw the potential in using board games as icebreakers and engaging activities that facilitate relationship building, creativity, and strategic thinking among attendees.
In the past, the meetup has been attended by educators from various countries, including South Africa, Canada, and Australia. The gathering has become a popular choice for those who are less inclined to the hustle and bustle associated with average social gatherings.
The ISTELive conference, a gathering for edtech enthusiasts, solution providers, parents, teachers, and students, focuses on celebrating advancements in edtech and looking towards the future. The Pre-ISTE Board Game meetup serves as a bridge for connecting and learning about other educators, offering a quieter, less overwhelming environment for networking.
This year, the meetup was organized by Dan Ryder, Director of Design and Innovation for Community Region Charter School in Maine, and Eric Curts, Technology Integration Specialist at Stark Portage Area Computer Consortium. The event was sponsored by a handful of organizations, further emphasizing its popularity and importance within the edtech community.
One participant shared that they initially planned to leave early but ended up staying until 10:30 PM due to the power of games, connections, and good people. The Pre-ISTE Board Game meetup continues to be a cherished event for those who attend ISTELive, providing a fun and engaging way to kick off the conference and make lasting connections.
- Teachers from diverse backgrounds, such as South Africa, Canada, and Australia, utilize the Pre-ISTE Board Game meetup as a less overwhelming environment for networking, facilitating learning about fellow educators before the bustling ISTELive conference.
- The Pre-ISTE Board Game meetup, a popular choice for educators, offers a unique opportunity for personal growth, serving as an icebreaker and engaging activity that fosters relationship building, creativity, and strategic thinking among attendees.
- At the Pre-ISTE Board Game meetup, a school setting is created, where educators can engage in learning activities, recharge, and collaborate, ultimately contributing to their professional development and education-and-self-development journey.
