I’m not an expert. I’m forever-emerging; a lifelong learner. But I LOVED this experience, and I can’t wait to share it with you. This was my first time presenting at ISTE, and my first time giving an ignite talk. And it was so special to me. 

At the 2017 International Society for Technology in Education conference, I had the honor of sharing My #iste17: Walking Away A Better Leader in an ignite presentation. By ISTE’s definition at iste.org, the ignite format is where “Presenters will have just five minutes and 20 slides each to share their passions in a continuous rapid-fire presentation!” Slides auto-advance every fifteen seconds.

Especially in this ignite format, I experienced first-hand what it takes to share your message effectively. I mean, seriously: Did you see this 2017 ISTE Round One Ignite lineup? I was surrounded by the best in the business!

#ISTEIgnite Session 1 presenters! Honored to have been among this group of passionate educators and students! #ISTE17 pic.twitter.com/p0iqoqEsZd

— Bonnie McClelland (@BMcClelland24) June 28, 2017

And what I learned from them as well as reflections from my friends before and after were priceless takeaways for me to apply in future experiences. Here were four of my takeaways as a first-time ISTE Presenter:

1–Speak from the Heart.

You have to believe in your own topic. It helps if you’ve actually experienced your topic or have a personal connection yourself. In one of the thousands of ISTE breakout discussions, my friend Melanie Farrell asked: “So, what’s the difference between a presenter and a speaker?” I’m sure someone has a researched answer out there, but I see this contrast as: “A presenter shows slides. A speaker speaks from heart.” You can just tell; you can feel it. Passion comes across when the speaker can look you in the eyes, potentially go off-script, and push thinking in your mind by going through your heart. It’s easy to speak from the heart when sharing The Iste Story and applications of ISTE Student Standards. 

2–Content Knowledge + Presentation Skills = Sending Effective Message

Disconnect: Content experts demonstrate few presentation skills.

Disconnect: Polished public speakers lack content or substance.

Connect: Presenters transform into speakers when their content embraces the audience with a warm hug, a firm handshake, and an enthusiastic high-five.

3–Keep It Simple

Even the best-sent message is not genuinely communicated unless it’s well-received. In a world where we’re all inundated by billions of external stimuli in our environment, the speaker has to connect with the audience. Don’t use too many fancy words. Even as I compose this reflection, I’m reminded by column-writing friends and professional learning family members who advise: “Keep your blogs and presentations in conversational language.” And not too long!

4–You Do You.

How many TED and TEDx Talks have you seen? There are so many fantastic speakers just a click away! You can do your research. You can learn tips from others. You can practice sharing your message 200 times. But in the end, you have to do you. No matter how much respect you have for others, no matter who you have on your #Edu-Pedestal(s), you can’t be anyone else. And you shouldn’t try to be anyone else. You do you. That’s what makes YOU special. That’s how you can add unique value to your professional learning family. That’s how you can authentically reciprocate relationships with your professional learning community.

I absolutely loved this whole ISTE Ignite experience. The amount of learning I am still processing is unparalleled. And I can’t wait to do it again!

• Special thanks to @isteconneects for this learning and speaking opportunity.
• Special thanks to TEDx Talk and two-time ISTE Ignite Presenter @kerryhawk02 for sharing her expertise throughout the process.
• Special thanks to @MelanieCFarrell for technical support.
• Special thanks to @Chris Tuttell and my friends for supporting my hashtagging standards idea.
• Special thanks to @aplusedtech for podcasting and periscoping.