6 key takeaways from ISTE 2026: How educators are making use of AI within the classroom

For many educators, this time of year offers a chance to reflect on what they’ve learned, recharge for what’s ahead, and reimagine what’s possible in education. At ISTELive 2026 in Orlando, K–12 educators, librarians, school leaders, instructional coaches, and edtech innovators came together to do exactly that.

The Orange County Convention Center was buzzing with activity, with thousands of presenters, hundreds of sessions, hands-on labs, and keynotes. Across these conversations, one common theme emerged: educators are beginning to explore how AI can move from early experimentation into more practical classroom and institutional use.

Microsoft’s ISTELive 26 announcements highlight this shift: AI in education is moving beyond experimentation and toward measurable learning impact. From the new AI in Education Report to purpose-built experiences like Teach, Assignments with AI guidelines, Learning Zone, and the Study and Learn Agent, Microsoft’s focus stayed on helping educators teach with confidence and students learn more deeply, not just faster. The throughline: AI delivers the most in education when powerful, secure tools are paired with training, guidance, and research-backed learning science that supports how students build knowledge, engage in productive practice, and deepen their understanding.

Six takeaways from a week of learning and connection

For educators, the value of events like ISTE is often found not just in announcements, but in what they bring back and try in their own environments. Here are six themes we heard from educators about what they plan to carry forward:

Microsoft Elevate for Educators is a global community of 43,000+ teachers and school leaders on the cutting edge of technology integration. At ISTELive 26, we brought some of them together to share tips, celebrate progress, and strengthen connections. As Pat Yongpradit, General Manager of Global Education and Workforce Policy, reminded us at our evening reception, “The world really needs great teachers right now.” Microsoft is focused on supporting them. Microsoft Elevate for Educators offers community, credentials and capacity-building resources to help transform teaching and learning.

A few words of wisdom from the Microsoft Elevate Educator community.

2. Instructional leaders are looking for practical guidance and shared practices

At the Instructional Leadership Exchange (ILX), educators and leaders explored how AI could be thoughtfully introduced into school environments. Through discussions and peer exchange, participants considered approaches to implementation, professional development, and collaboration. Microsoft also introduced a new paper called Learning by designoutlining the learning science foundation behind the Study and Learn Agent, offering a practical resource leaders can use to inform discussions about how AI can support deeper learning, strengthen instructional practice, and shape more intentional professional learning.

3. Institutions are moving from fragmented AI use to responsible, system-wide practice

A recurring theme at ISTE was the move from individual experimentation toward more coordinated, institution-level approaches. Educators and leaders discussed the importance of aligning AI use with teaching practices, governance considerations, and institutional priorities. The Microsoft AI in Education Report shares perspectives from educators and institutions on how AI is being used, where opportunities exist, and what supports may be helpful going forward. These insights can help inform planning and decision-making as schools continue to navigate AI adoption.

4. Educators play a critical role in helping students develop AI literacy, making it approachable helps

Minecraft Education brought AI learning to life at ISTE with the announcement of the Velocity Prizea new global skills challenge from Minecraft Education and Microsoft for students ages 13–16 built around computational thinking and AI-assisted strategies. The challenge opens in October 2026 and gives educators a fun, classroom-ready way for students to apply their coding and AI skills for the chance to win exclusive prizes and mentorship opportunities. Minecraft Education also highlighted new AI literacy and digital safety resources that make AI concepts accessible for educators, students, and families, from animated videos and classroom toolkits to professional learning.

Discover why Minecraft is a practical starting point to build AI skills.

5. From screen time to learning time: A focus on meaningful learning and responsible use

At ISTE, teachers are reframing the screen time conversation. Rather than focusing on how much time students spend on devices, they’re asking how technology can make learning more meaningful. Educators are looking for tools that help students think critically, create, collaborate, and receive personalized support while maintaining a focus on wellbeing and responsible AI use. At Microsoft Education, we see this as a shift from screen time to learning time using AI and technology to strengthen student thinking, increase engagement, and help every learner thrive.

6. From the conference to the classroom: Sharing what we learned

Educators often return from ISTE with ideas and strategies to share with colleagues, extending the value of the event beyond a single week. To support this, Microsoft is making sessions and materials available for educators who want to explore further. You can view recordings and materials from Microsoft ISTE sessions and explore live presentations designed to bring these ideas into your classroom.

Beyond Orlando: Keeping the momentum going

ISTELive 2026 showed how educators are continuing to explore and apply AI in ways that align with their teaching goals and student needs. While the event may be over, many of these conversations are ongoing.

To continue exploring these topics:

Wherever you are in your journey, these resources can help support continued learning, collaboration, and exploration.

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