STEMHighlights from the 2022 Illinois State Fair STEAM ExpoThe 2022 Illinois State Fair may be over, but we had such a great time participating in this year’s Tech Prairie STEAM Expo. Check out these highlights from our 4-day STEM Playground, including drone racing, Mindy Fiscus Director of Government Affairs, Learning Technology Center
PodcastsProfessional LearningTop 4 Podcasts for Teachers and CoachesPodcasts are the perfect way to expand your horizons and discover new teaching strategies from outside your district without straining your already tight schedule. Our team is full of avid podcast listeners. Here are 4 Sam Fishel Digital Content Specialist, Learning Technology Center
AccessibilityGoogleGoogle DocsGoogle SlidesInstructional StrategiesGoogle Workspace for Education Updates You Can Use This School YearWhile you’ve been enjoying some well-earned rest and relaxation this summer, Google has been busy beefing up many of its most popular apps and tools. From tweaks to built-in accessibility to advances in adaptive learning, Ben Sondgeroth Lead Regional Educational Technology Coordinator | Northern Illinois, Learning Technology Center
Technology Policies and LeadershipSchool Law Update: Top Tech Issues for the 2022-23 School YearHey, school administrators! The new school year is just around the corner, making now a great time to brush up on some of the legal issues facing education and technology right now. Check out this Tim McIlvain Executive Director, Learning Technology Center
AR/VRGoogleGoogle SlidesInstructional Technology CoachingMakerspaceProfessional LearningRoboticsSTEMEverything We Loved & Learned at ISTELive 22Just back from the Crescent City, the LTC team had a blast at ISTELive 22 in New Orleans. Between the big bands and beignets, they had the chance to connect with countless educators and learn LTC Staff Statewide Team, Learning Technology Center
Learning SpacesNew TeacherProfessional LearningSocial Emotional Learning (SEL)7 EdTech Books to Add to your Summer Reading ListStill have a little room left in your vacation-bound suitcase? Why not slip in an edtech book so that you can continue growing while you soak up some well-earned rest and relaxation. These 7 books Matt Jacobson Online Learning Coordinator, Learning Technology Center
New TeacherSocial Emotional Learning (SEL)3 Ways to Relieve Tech Fatigue for TeachersFeeling fed up with your classroom’s Chromebooks? Growing tired at the prospect of learning another new app or platform? You may be experiencing tech fatigue, a real condition that can put a serious strain on LTC Staff Statewide Team, Learning Technology Center
Classroom IntegrationGoogleGoogle DriveMicrosoft4 End-of-Year Tech Tips to Prepare for SummerSummer break is nearly here! But before you close your laptop and hit the beach, take some time to review these timely tech tips from our team geared toward helping you get your digital devices LTC Staff Statewide Team, Learning Technology Center
Classroom IntegrationNetworkingProfessional LearningTechnology Policies and LeadershipLead the Conversation! Submit an IETC 2022 ProposalProposal submission is now open for IETC 2022! This is your chance to share your unique perspectives on tech integration strategies, instructional practices, tech infrastructure, and more with 800+ attendees. Plus, there are great benefits LTC Staff Statewide Team, Learning Technology Center
Computer LiteracyDigital CitizenshipShare What Works in Digital Literacy @ #DigLitConMark your calendars! The LTC-hosted Digital Literacy Conference is returning this fall, offering teachers, administrators, technology coaches, and library media specialists a focused opportunity to discover what works in digital literacy. Submit a proposal today LTC Staff Statewide Team, Learning Technology Center
CertificationMicrosoftMicrosoft Innovative Educator Expert (MIEE): Is it worth all the hard work?Many educators overlook the Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert certification because their school uses Google or Apple products. But MIEE has a lot to offer all educators, regardless of which apps they use. Here are 8 Lisa Schwartz Regional Educational Technology Coordinator | West Central Region, Learning Technology Center
Accessibility3 Ways You Can Add Digital Accessibility to Your Classroom TodayAs it stands, some digital learning tools and communications are not effectively accessible by default. Fortunately, there are numerous ways that teachers like you can make their classroom’s digital content more inclusive for all learners. Matt Jacobson Online Learning Coordinator, Learning Technology Center
Classroom IntegrationCode.orgComputer Science (CS)Bring Computer Science to Your Students with Code.org Trainings & Free CurriculaRight now, computing is one of the fastest growing professions in the United States. But in order for today’s students to make the leap into the field, their teachers must lay the right groundwork. Code.org’s Brian Bates Director of Professional Learning, Learning Technology Center
AccessibilityLegal IssuesIllinois’ New Digital Accessibility Law – What Education Leaders Need to Know about HB 26Effective August 1, 2022, HB 26 requires 3rd party curriculum content to achieve Level AA accessibility conformity, as outlined in the World Wide Web Consortium’s Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (W3C WCAG). Learn more about these Matt Jacobson Online Learning Coordinator, Learning Technology Center
AccessibilitySpecial Education3 Tips for Making Digital Learning More AccessibleWhile digital learning has opened new opportunities for students to grow, not all students can engage with digital content by default. These 3 tips can help you make your digital learning content more accessible to Matt Jacobson Online Learning Coordinator, Learning Technology Center
CybersecurityData PrivacySOPPAStay Ahead of Tomorrow’s Digital Threats at SecurED SchoolsAt SecurED Schools, you can take the first step toward addressing new vulnerabilities and securing your district’s digital future. Take a peak at this year’s schedule, which includes over 40 local, state, and national experts Chris Wherley Director of Technology Services, Learning Technology Center
Computer LiteracyFamily and CommunityNetworkingProfessional LearningSocial Emotional Learning (SEL)StandardsPack your Bags for these 2022 Education Conferences!Whether in-person or virtual, conferences are a great way to network with fellow educators and learn a lot about the latest education developments and best practices. There are numerous education conference on the calendar for Lisa Schwartz Regional Educational Technology Coordinator | West Central Region, Learning Technology Center
AR/VRNetworkingProfessional LearningRobotics“Keeping it real with real educators” – Takeaways from IETC 2021The 28th annual Illinois Education and Technology Conference (IETC) wrapped up on November 19 after three days packed with exploring edtech’s latest integration strategies and best practices. Read up on highlights from this year’s conference, Tim McIlvain Executive Director, Learning Technology Center
Digital CitizenshipGoogleGoogle ClassroomYouTubeEmbrace Enhanced Security & Accessibility with New Google Classroom & YouTube UpdatesAs we roll through the final months of 2021, Google continues to put out fresh updates that can help your classroom hit the ground running next semester. Read all about their upcoming security and accessibility Ben Sondgeroth Lead Regional Educational Technology Coordinator | Northern Illinois, Learning Technology Center
GoogleGoogle DocsGoogle DriveCollaborate Efficiently with Updates for Google Docs, Sheets, and DriveMonth after month, Google continues to roll out updates and improvements designed to enhance their users’ experience – including those of students and teachers in the education sphere. Take some time to learn about their Ben Sondgeroth Lead Regional Educational Technology Coordinator | Northern Illinois, Learning Technology Center
Harness EdTech’s Renewed Potential at IETC 2021!In just under a month, educators and technology leaders from across Illinois will gather together to learn and explore while forming the connections that allow our statewide edtech community to flourish year after year. It’s Tim McIlvain Executive Director, Learning Technology Center
Classroom IntegrationGoogle Classroom5 Keys to Cooking Up Collaboration in the ClassroomLTC Coach Emily Pool recently learned a thing or two about collaboration while overhearing a conversation between her daughter and her friends. As it turns out, there’s only one way to qualify “done” chicken and Emily Pool Instructional Technology Coach, Learning Technology Center
