In 1979, at a backyard barbecue in Eugene, Oregon, a tight-knit group of forward-thinking K-12 and university educators began asking, "What if ...?" What if we gave students powerful tools allowing them to take charge of their learning? What if we let students follow their passions and work with experts and peers around the world to solve problems? What if teachers didn't lecture, but served as guides and collaborators? What if we let computers do what they do best, freeing up humans to create, to dream, to change the world?

This small group of educators began realizing their vision by connecting with others who shared their belief in the potential of edtech. From there, ideas and inspiration spread geographically and generationally.

More than four decades later, those what-ifs have grown into a worldwide network of educators who are still dreaming big. A passionate global community dedicated to making teaching and learning more meaningful for educators and learners around the globe. A community of changemakers – that is ISTE.