LTC Blog

News, ideas, and insights on all of the most talked-about K-12 edtech topics

Professional Learning

New School Year, 4 New Online Courses

Already thinking back-to-school? Don’t wait until the bell rings to start learning. Start collaborating digitally, optimizing your Calendar settings, and sending templated emails now with these new online courses.

Matt Jacobson
Matt Jacobson
Online Learning Coordinator, Learning Technology Center
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3D printingSTEM

LTC Announces Inaugural Illinois State Fair Butter Cow 3D Printing Contest Winner

The Learning Technology Center is proud to announce the winner of its first 3D printing contest. Learn about the winning student and how you can grab the miniature butter cow he designed as a souvenir

Kristi Connelly
Kristi Connelly
Marketing & Communications Director, Learning Technology Center
Purchasing

Enhancing Physical Security: 3 Solutions for Illinois K-12 Schools

While securing digital learning environments remains a priority, enhancing physical security needs to also be on every district’s radar. These trusted solutions can help protect your students and staff against the current threats and emergencies.

Amanda Bruns
Amanda Bruns
Member Engagement Manager, Learning Technology Center

Celebrating Illinois Teachers’ Dedication

Illinois teachers have been striving and achieving throughout the current school year. As we celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, let’s honor and recognize that dedication!

Sam Fishel
Sam Fishel
Digital Content Manager, Learning Technology Center
Purchasing

ILTPP Announces Ambassador Program

The ILTPP Ambassador program is focused on bringing together edtech pacemakers from around the state and putting their shared wisdom into action. Meet the first class of ambassadors!

Amanda Bruns
Amanda Bruns
Member Engagement Manager, Learning Technology Center
STEM

9 Teaching Resources for Illuminating the 2024 Eclipse

The upcoming eclipse will be an unforgettable experience. Transform it into a learning opportunity and spark a lasting STEM passion with these resource curated by the LTC team.

Sarah Phelps
Sarah Phelps
Program Manager, Computer Science and STEM, Learning Technology Center
Purchasing

How to Start Recycling E-Waste with ILTPP

Every school district deals with broken or out of date devices. Don’t let your e-waste backlog pile up! Check out these 5 trusted recycling and buyback programs that can save your district time and money.

Amanda Bruns
Amanda Bruns
Member Engagement Manager, Learning Technology Center
Digital Equity

LTC Earns Two National Awards

The Learning Technology Center was presented with two State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) Awards at the organization’s annual Leadership Summit and Ed Forum, including awards for leadership and our instructional coaching program.

Kristi Connelly
Kristi Connelly
Marketing & Communications Director, Learning Technology Center

2023 LTC Award Winners

The Learning Technology Center is proud to announce the 2023 LTC Award winners, each recognized for their broad focus on improving learning by intentionally embracing technology, both as a solution and as a goal.

Mindy Fiscus
Mindy Fiscus
Director of Government Affairs, Learning Technology Center
Artificial Intelligence (AI)Purchasing

4 Ways to Harness AI-Powered Learning with ILTPP Vendor Partners

Keeping up with the latest AI-powered solutions can feel overwhelming. Here are four trusted ILTPP Vendor Partners you can turn to when your district wants to harness AI to unleash creativity, enhance assessments, and more.

Amanda Bruns
Amanda Bruns
Member Engagement Manager, Learning Technology Center
Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Discover AI’s Present & Future in Education @ IETC 2023

There is a lot of buzz around AI right now – especially in the K-12 education community. At IETC 2023, you can cut through the buzz and start a conversation toward developing successful AI policies

Sam Fishel
Sam Fishel
Digital Content Manager, Learning Technology Center
Funding

Technology and Funding after the Pandemic

As stimulus funding begins to taper off, districts must prepare to financially support their tech-powered learning environment for the long term. Here are several key considerations every K-12 leader needs to take into account while

Mindy Fiscus
Mindy Fiscus
Director of Government Affairs, Learning Technology Center

Adobe Creative Cloud now $5 per user for K-12 schools

Adobe is now offering Creative Cloud at school-friendly prices – just US$5 per year for students, teachers, or staff*. Help students tap into their creative potential and expand their opportunities for college and beyond!  

Hope Hardin-Borbely
Hope Hardin-Borbely
Purchasing Cooperative Manager, Learning Technology Center
Computer Science (CS)FundingSTEM

New Resource: STEM Grants & Scholarships Collection

Need some extra funds to get your next STEM initiative off the ground? Your school is likely eligible for a grant or two. Check out our new STEM grant collection to see for yourself!

Eric Santos
Eric Santos
Regional Educational Technology Coordinator | Chicagoland, Learning Technology Center
Classroom IntegrationInstructional Technology CoachingLeadershipLevelEDup Magazine

Three Perspectives: Supporting Technology Integration to Enhance Student Engagement

Individual devices and apps alone cannot generate novel student engagement. It takes the effort of teachers, coaches, and administrators working in tandem to allow technology to bring out the best in students. See how in

Ami Engel
Ami Engel
Executive Director of Innovation and Science, Community Unit School District 300
CybersecurityNetworking

Cybersecurity Crisis Response Groups: How They Can Keep your District Secure

In the event of a cyber incident, who ya gonna call? Unfortunately, the Ghostbusters can’t help you here. But your friends and peers sure can. See how a cybersecurity crisis response group can keep your

Duane Shaffer
Duane Shaffer
Director of Technology Services, Learning Technology Center
Artificial Intelligence (AI)ISTE

ChatGPT in the Classroom: 5 Strategies for K-12 Educators

Artificial intelligence (AI) is here to stay. To keep our classrooms relevant to today’s learners, we need find ways to harness its power to create robust, personalized learning experiences.

Nicole Zumpano
Nicole Zumpano
Director of Instructional Technology Coaching, Learning Technology Center
Esports

Esports in Education: 5 Steps to Start a Club or Team

Ready to press “start” on your school’s esports program? Here are 5 steps you can take toward launching an engaging and stable esports club or team at your school:

Eric Santos
Eric Santos
Regional Educational Technology Coordinator | Chicagoland, Learning Technology Center
NetworkingProfessional Learning

5 Tips for Growing your PLN This Year

You don’t have to go at it alone! Make this the year you grow your professional learning network using these 5 tips!

Nicole Zumpano
Nicole Zumpano
Director of Instructional Technology Coaching, Learning Technology Center
NetworkingProfessional Learning

2023 Education Conferences for Teachers, Administrators & Coaches

No matter your role in education and technology, conferences remain one of the best places to explore new strategies, discover new resources, and connect with peers. Check out all of these note-worthy edtech conferences coming

Lisa Schwartz
Lisa Schwartz
Regional Educational Technology Coordinator | West Central Region, Learning Technology Center
ISTEProfessional Learning

LTC Announces Partnership with ISTE

The Learning Technology Center is proud to announce two new collaborations with the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) – ISTE Affiliate and PD hours for Illinois educators.

Tim McIlvain
Tim McIlvain
Executive Director, Learning Technology Center
Computer LiteracyComputer Science (CS)

Screen-Free CS Activities for your K-5 Classroom

Looking for screen-free ways to get your students interested in computer science? Try out these FREE resources in your K-5 classroom!

Sarah Phelps
Sarah Phelps
Program Manager, Computer Science and STEM, Learning Technology Center