LTC Blog

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

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
Search Blog
Blog Tags
Blog Category
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
Network and Information Technology Specialist, 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
Computer LiteracyComputer Science (CS)

K-8 Books to Spark a Lifelong Passion for CS Learning

Computer Science Education Week 2022 is here! Let’s celebrate with a few books you can use to get your K-8 students interested in coding and more without needing to pick up a computer.

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

Microcredentials: A New Frontier in Professional Learning

The old “sit-and-get” method of professional development isn’t suited to the needs of today’s educators. Microcredentials are the solution because they offer teachers greater agency while growing their mastery of classroom-ready skills.

Matt Jacobson
Matt Jacobson
Online Learning Coordinator, Learning Technology Center

Inaugural LTC Award Winners Announced

The Learning Technology Center today announced the winners of the inaugural LTC Awards. Developed to celebrate Illinois’ edtech innovators, the LTC Awards recognize PK-12 initiatives and organizations for their outstanding contributions to empowering educational change

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

Don’t DIS my ABILITIES! – Learning Disability Awareness Month

October is Learning Disability Awareness Month, a time for educators to reflect on and grow in their understanding of students with specific learning disabilities. For tech coach Patricia Ferris, that effort has been lifelong, starting

Patricia Ferris
Patricia Ferris
Instructional Technology Coach, Learning Technology Center
Cybersecurity

4 Cybersecurity Tips for School Staff & Students

Each October, the US recognizes Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a multi-week opportunity for everyone – including K-12 school districts – to recommit themselves to protecting digital networks and data. Here are a few quick tips to

Eric Muckensturm
Eric Muckensturm
Cybersecurity Specialist, Learning Technology Center
Classroom IntegrationNetworkingProfessional LearningTechnology Infrastructure

Discover New Possibilities @ IETC 2022

New location, new events, and limitless new possibilities – that’s what’s in store for IETC 2022. Discover fresh ways to support classroom integration, develop robust technology environments, and harness edtech’s full potential during 3 keynotes,

LTC Staff
LTC Staff
Statewide Team, Learning Technology Center
STEM

Highlights from the 2022 Illinois State Fair STEAM Expo

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

Top 4 Podcasts for Teachers and Coaches

Podcasts 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
Sam Fishel
Digital Content Specialist, Learning Technology Center
AccessibilityGoogleGoogle DocsGoogle SlidesInstructional Strategies

Google Workspace for Education Updates You Can Use This School Year

While 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
Ben Sondgeroth
Lead Regional Educational Technology Coordinator | Northern Illinois, Learning Technology Center
Technology Policies and Leadership

School Law Update: Top Tech Issues for the 2022-23 School Year

Hey, 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
Tim McIlvain
Executive Director, Learning Technology Center
AR/VRGoogleGoogle SlidesInstructional Technology CoachingMakerspaceProfessional LearningRoboticsSTEM

Everything We Loved & Learned at ISTELive 22

Just 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
LTC Staff
Statewide Team, Learning Technology Center
Learning SpacesNew TeacherProfessional LearningSocial Emotional Learning (SEL)

7 EdTech Books to Add to your Summer Reading List

Still 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
Matt Jacobson
Online Learning Coordinator, Learning Technology Center
New TeacherSocial Emotional Learning (SEL)

3 Ways to Relieve Tech Fatigue for Teachers

Feeling 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
LTC Staff
Statewide Team, Learning Technology Center