Springfield Career Spark - STEAM Expo
2025-04-29 09:15 - 13:45 (America/Chicago) | Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 E Sangamon Ave, Springfield, IL, 62702, United States
CareerSpark is a hands-on work and career readiness experience designed to spark students’ interest in the exciting STEAM careers.
Hosted by the LTC in partnership with Junior Achievement and the Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT), this event offers 8th grade students a unique opportunity to interact with real-world STEAM applications and explore how technology will shape their world.
Event highlights include:
PaCE Framework: Meet PaCE Framework objectives and uncover the endless possibilities within STEAM.
Interactive Exhibits for Every Passion: Expand possible career interests with live demonstrations and interactive exhibits.
Digital Literacy Unleashed: Learn how technology is shaping the future and gain essential skills to thrive in the digital age.
Connect with Professionals: Get up close and personal with experienced professionals in STEAM fields.
Diversity in Focus: Celebrate diversity and connect underrepresented groups with inclusive career path opportunities.
Free Admission & Parking: Free admission and parking for students and teachers. Buses welcome!
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This science, engineering, technology, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) event is tailored for 8th grade students. Registration is required.
For additional information to regarding attending or exhibiting at the event, visit https://doit.illinois.gov/initiatives/doit-steam/events/career-spark-steam-expo-20241.html or contact DoIT.steam@illinois.gov

CTL Webinar - Stretch Your IT Dollars: Innovative Ways to Mitigate Chromebook Purchase Costs
2025-04-29 12:00 - 13:00 | Online, IL, United States
In today’s educational landscape, reliable and accessible technology is paramount, but tight budgets and variable device prices can create significant financial challenges. This webinar, presented by CTL, offers a practical and insightful exploration of innovative strategies to maximize your IT investment and effectively manage the total cost of ownership for your Chromebook fleet.
Join our expert panel as we delve into a comprehensive range of approaches beyond simply purchasing new devices. We’ll unpack the pros and cons of various acquisition and lifecycle management strategies, empowering you to make informed decisions that align with your institution’s unique needs and financial realities.
Key topics covered will include:
– Strategic IT Asset Disposition (ITAD): Discover how to trade-in used equipment for discounts toward new devices. We’ll discuss how to responsibly and profitably manage your end-of-life laptops, servers, and other IT equipment, reclaiming value and reducing e-waste.
– Understanding Leasing and Loan Options: Analyze the benefits and drawbacks of leasing Chromebooks, including eliminating large upfront investment costs, implementing flexible payment plans with deferred payments, and easier budgeting.
– The Flexibility of Renting: Learn when and why renting Chromebooks might be a cost-effective solution for your program.
– The benefits of outright purchase. Understand where and when it makes sense to buy devices for your school.

Ask Us Anything: Solving K-12 Tech Teams' Biggest Challenges
2025-04-29 12:00 - 13:00 | IL
Join us next week for an engaging and interactive webinar tackling the biggest challenges facing K-12 tech teams today, including cybersecurity threats, data privacy concerns, student safety incidents, the strain of limited resources, and more.
We’ll be joined by an expert panel of guest speakers from K-12 tech teams around the country—including Bob Boyd, Director of Technology at Kettle Moraine School District, Greg Purcell, Technology Director at Rabun County School District, and the tech team at Marysville Exempted Village School District, who are donating their time to share their insights, strategies, and success stories.
Submit your questions in advance to ensure we address your top concerns during the webinar!
What You’ll Gain:
• Practical solutions for common K-12 tech challenges
• Insights from school district tech leaders
• A chance to have your questions answered in advance or live!
• A short product demo showing how ManagedMethods can help
Don’t miss this opportunity to make your job easier and your district more secure!

Canva: Your Launchpad for Creative Learning
2025-04-30 08:30 - 11:00 | ROE 30: Administrative Center, 101 Spero Dr, Murphysboro, IL, 62966, United States
Tired of the same old teaching routines? Blast boredom our of your classroom with Canva, which can help you and your students embark on a creative journey towards impactful learning.
With Canva in hand, educators in all grade levels and subjects can:
– Capture attention with eye-catching visuals and interactive presentations
– Ignite student creativity through engaging infographics, videos, storybooks, and dynamic portfolios
– Create truly transformative learning experiences that foster active participation, collaboration, and critical thinking
In your students hands, Canva’s user-friendly design tools can also be a powerful creative engine, not to mention a canvas for elevating student voice and choice.
Whether you’re a tech enthusiast or just starting out, join us to discover how Canva can help your students become confident, capable, and creative learners!

Cybersecurity Roadshow with Bytespeed | East Central IL
2025-04-30 09:00 - 12:00 | ROE 17: DeWitt/Livingston/Logan/McLean, 201 E. Grove Street, Suite 300, Bloomington, IL, 61701 5074
Join ByteSpeed, Arctic Wolf, iBoss, and the LTC for an interactive, cybersecurity-focused table read exercise, “Understanding the Business Impacts of a Ransomware Attack in a School District.”
This session will guide public school administrators and IT leaders through the financial and operational consequences of a ransomware attack. Participants will take on roles within a simulated school district, gaining firsthand insight into how such an incident affects school operations, student safety, and data security.
Following the exercise, the teams from ByteSpeed, Arctic Wolf, and iBoss will provide a brief presentation on how their solutions can help shrink the attack surface for bad actors, offering practical strategies to enhance your district’s cybersecurity defenses.

Transforming Education with Dell's Data-Driven Solutions
2025-04-30 11:00 - 12:00 | IL
In today’s educational landscape, unstructured data is a key driver of growth and innovation. Dell Technologies understands that unstructured data plays a critical role across various use cases in higher education and K12 environments. Our Unstructured Data Solutions portfolio, featuring the robust capabilities of Dell PowerScale, is designed to transform how institutions manage, access, and leverage data.
Research and Academic Advancement
Educational institutions generate vast amounts of research data that need to be stored, processed and analyzed efficiently. PowerScale offers unparalleled scalability and performance, ensuring that academic researchers can easily access and analyze large datasets. Our solutions enable seamless integration with AI and machine learning pipelines, enhancing data-driven research activities. With support for high-performance analytics, researchers can extract valuable insights from unstructured data, promoting innovation and academic excellence.
Enhancing Campus Safety with Video Surveillance
Safety and security are paramount in educational settings. Our PowerScale solution is designed to handle large volumes of video surveillance data, enabling real-time monitoring and quick retrieval of footage. With integrated ransomware protection and cyber-resilient features, institutions can protect their data against security threats. PowerScale’s ability to handle multiple data protocols ensures that video surveillance data can be easily managed and accessed, supporting campus safety initiatives.
Benefits at a Glance:

Scalability and Performance: Handle massive unstructured datasets with ease, from research archives to surveillance footage.
AI and Analytics Integration: Enhance research with robust AI and ML support, driving deeper insights and faster innovation.
Data Security: Integrated cybersecurity measures protect valuable academic and surveillance data from threats.
Cost Efficiency: Optimize storage costs while maintaining high performance and data availability.

Dell’s Unstructured Data Solutions empower educational institutions to unlock the full potential of their data, fostering a safe and innovative environment for students and faculty.

Teaching Smarter, Not Harder: Mastering Specialized Instruction in 2025
2025-04-30 12:00 - 13:00 | IL
There is no such thing as a “typical classroom.” Schools are seeing more students with diverse learning needs, yet teachers are often left without enough rigorous resources, time, or support. Administrators face budget constraints, evolving policies, teacher shortages, and the growing role of technology—it can feel overwhelming.
You are not alone! Join us for an insightful conversation with Lauren Stafford, M.Ed., Director of Content and Curriculum at RethinkEd, as we explore research-backed strategies to simplify specialized instruction, reduce workload and stress, and leverage technology to support student success.
You’ll Walk Away With:

Strategies to meet diverse student needs, even with limited time and resources.
Ways to manage workload, reduce stress, and stay energized in an increasingly demanding environment.
How Vizzle and other tools can streamline instruction and make differentiation easier.

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain practical, research-backed strategies to make specialized instruction more effective and manageable in 2025!
Presenter:

Lauren Stafford
Rethink
Director of Content

ROE 17 Tech Networking Meeting
2025-05-01 09:00 - 11:00 | ROE 17: DeWitt/Livingston/Logan/McLean, 201 E. Grove Street, Suite 300, Bloomington, IL, 61701 5074
Curious about how other district technology leaders are tackling challenges and initiatives in their districts? Do you have new technology projects/upgrades going on in your district that others might want to hear about? Share your voice and network with colleagues at our open discussion!
This networking session welcomes all technology professionals – technology directors, technology support staff, coaches, and IT specialists/leaders. We may kick things off with a brief presentation, but the real magic happens when we open the floor. Share your experiences, challenges, and ideas in a supportive space, and learn from your peers!

Cybersecurity Roadshow with Bytespeed | Chicagoland
2025-05-01 09:00 - 12:00 | North Cook ISC, 1001 E Touhy Ave, Suite 200, Des Plaines, IL, 60018 3225

Take Coding to the Sky with Drones!
2025-05-01 09:00 - 14:30 | McHenry County Community Foundation, 33 E. Woodstock St, Crystal Lake, IL, 60014, United States
As drones continue to grow in both popularity and functionality, businesses are rapidly expanding their uses of unmanned aerial vehicles. At the same time, many schools are looking for fresh ways to teach students about coding and spark an interest in STEM learning. With codeable drones, schools can accomplish that goal while preparing students for the ever-changing workforce; all it takes is the right preparations and the right equipment.
Come discover what it takes to bring drones into the classroom as a part of this hands-on workshop. Participants will have the chance to ask questions, code their own drone, and learn about essential drone terminology, safety issues, legal concerns, operational requirements, and drone model options. Participants will also walk away with a Robolink Codrone of their own to make implementing their newfound drone knowledge even easier.

ROE 9 Tech Networking Meeting
2025-05-01 13:00 - 15:00 | ROE 9: Champaign/Ford, 3358 Big Pine Trail, Champaign, Illinois, 61822 1406, USA

Cybersecurity Roadshow with Bytespeed | Northwest IL
2025-05-02 09:00 - 12:00 | Sauk Valley Community College, 173 IL Rt 2, Dixon, IL, 61021, United States

Canva: Your Launchpad for Creative Learning
2025-05-02 09:00 - 15:00 | ROE 21 Training Center, 502 West Jackson Street, Marion, IL, 62959, United States
Are you tired of the same old routine? Ready to blast boredom out of your classroom? Embark on a creative journey and transform your classroom into a vibrant learning universe with Canva!
Capture attention with eye-catching visuals and interactive presentations. Ignite student creativity through engaging infographics, videos, storybooks, and dynamic portfolios. Go beyond the basics and create truly transformative learning experiences that foster active participation, collaboration, and critical thinking. Prepare your students to become confident, capable, and future-ready learners equipped with essential 21st-century skills.
Whether you’re a tech enthusiast or just starting out, master essential design tools and empower student voice and choice. Unlock the limitless potential of Canva to create an out-of-this-world educational experience!

ROE 56 Tech Networking Meeting
2025-05-02 09:30 - 11:00 | ROE 56: Will, 116 N. Chicago St, Joliet, IL, 60432, United States
Curious about how other district technology leaders are tackling challenges and initiatives in their districts? Do you have new technology projects/upgrades going on in your district that others might want to hear about? Share your voice and network with colleagues at our open discussion!
This networking session welcomes all technology professionals – technology directors, technology support staff, coaches, and IT specialists/leaders. We may kick things off with a brief presentation, but the real magic happens when we open the floor. Share your experiences, challenges, and ideas in a supportive space, and learn from peers!

ROE 48 and ROE 53 Tech Leaders Roundtable
2025-05-02 09:30 - 11:30 | Illini Central CUSD 189, 208 N West Ave, Mason City, 62664, United States
This group, hosted by ROE 53, ROE 48 and the Learning Technology Center, will meet monthly to see tech innovation in action within area schools. Time will also be provided for networking and sharing information on pertinent tech topics with other technology leaders in our region.
9:30-11:30 AM
1. Host School Tour/Showcase/Discussion
2. Gather as a group after the tour for questions and other ROE & LTC agenda items
11:45 AM – 1:00 PM
Gather at a local restaurant in the “host town” to network and have lunch
*Sometimes, we may split into smaller groups based on topics to meet the needs of those in attendance. The ROE and LTC will help facilitate discussion and share resources.

ROE 47 Technology Round Table
2025-05-02 12:30 - 14:30 | ROE 47: Lee/Ogle/Whiteside, 1001 W 23rd St, Sterling, Illinois, 61081 9047, USA
Join us for an open discussion on current educational technology topics and trends. This networking meeting is open to all educational technology positions including technology directors, instructional technology coaches, and any other positions interested in discussing the current state of technology in our schools. While a short presentation may lead off our time together, the majority of the meeting will be open for participants to share their experiences and challenges with the group.

Artificial Intelligence Explorations and their Practical Use in Schools
2025-05-06 08:00 - 2025-06-16 17:00 | Online, IL, United States
Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer the stuff of the future; today’s students can expect to interact with AI in both their personal and professional lives. To prepare students for success, educators need to understand how AI technologies can be leveraged to facilitate learning and solve real-world problems.
In this online course, you’ll learn to identify the various types of AI, hear about AI technologies on the horizon and build some of your own tools to make AI concrete and accessible for you and your students.
This is a 15-hour, self-paced course with ongoing instructor support. No previous knowledge of AI or experience coding is required.
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As an ISTE Affiliate, the LTC is offering a special opportunity for educators to receive a scholarship for this course. Simply fill out the application and select “Illinois Learning Technology Center” as your partner to register free of charge. Click “Register” to apply today!
We are also happy to provide ISBE-certified PD credit to Illinois educators who complete this ISTE course. To receive credit that can be applied to your Illinois Professional Educators’ License renewal, participants must:

Enroll in this course through the ISTE website and pay any associated fees to ISTE (LTC does not receive any financial benefit from this course)
Complete the required coursework during the time allowed
Submit an electronic copy of the course’s evidence of completion dated 6/1/25 – 12/31/25 to the link provided
Submit a completed LTC evaluation form (sent to participants via email after submitting an evidence of completion)

Evidence submissions are reviewed once per week. Please allow at least 7 calendar days from submission for receipt of PD credit form. Participants must submit ISTE-issued evidence of completion dated between May 1, 2025, and December 30, 2025. Other evidence will not be accepted.
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Registration for this summer section (running from July 7 – August 31) will close June 16, 2025. Registration will remain closed briefly before reopening for the fall section.

ROE 51 Tech Leadership Meeting
2025-05-06 10:00 - 12:00 | ROE 51: Menard/Sangamon, 2201 S Dirksen Pkwy, Springfield, IL, 62703 4564
You are invited to an open forum discussion on current educational technology topics and trends. This networking opportunity is open to all educational technology professionals, including technology directors, instructional technology coaches, and any other roles interested in exploring the present landscape of technology in our schools.
A brief presentation from may start us off; however, most of the meeting will be dedicated to participant-led conversation, allowing attendees to share their experiences and challenges with the group.
We look forward to your valuable insights and contributions.

ROE 16 Technology Round Table
2025-05-07 10:00 - 12:00 | ROE 16: DeKalb, 2500 N Annie Glidden Rd Ste C, Dekalb, Illinois, 60115 1310, USA

Be Connected: Tabletop Simulations
2025-05-07 13:00 - 13:45 | Online, IL, United States
Roll for initiative because on this week’s Be Connected, we’re exploring cybersecurity tabletop simulations that prepare your K-12 district for real-world incidents.
Learn how to effectively run a hands-on exercise that engages your team, tests your response plans, and identifies gaps before a crisis hits. It’s a chance to strengthen your cybersecurity posture through practice—not panic.
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Be Connected is a networking series from the LTC focused on facilitating open discussions about pertinent topics within Illinois’ edtech community. Hosted by the LTC’s Eric Muckensturm, each session will focus on a specific topic and provide space for participants to ask and answer questions in a relaxed, supportive environment.
Each week will feature a different core topic and a fresh opportunity to connect with your peers. So, be sure to check the LTC events calendar routinely so that you can join in the discussion and Be Connected.

3D Printing for Educators
2025-05-08 09:00 - 12:00 | AERO Sped Cooperative, 5400 W 77th St, Burbank, IL, 60459, United States
This workshop will give you the foundation needed to implement 3D printing in your educational environment.
We’ll begin at square one of the 3D printing process, going from ideation to finished print and covering everything in between. You’ll then learn how 3D printers work, how to create and prepare models for printing, how to operate your printer, and how to troubleshoot them if something goes wrong. Along the way, we’ll also explore tools, materials, and software needed for successful 3D printing, and what to consider when choosing a printer for yourself or your district.
Finally, we’ll discuss best practices for making 3D printing a part of your classroom, including lesson ideas, ways to manage projects effectively, and how to design your space to maximize learning. You’ll even build your own project in Tinkercad that you can take back to your students and use as an example of the amazing items they’ll soon be able to design and create.
Join us for an innovative day of learning one of today’s most popular STEM learning tools!
All attendees must bring a laptop to fully participate in this workshop.

ROE 3 Technology Roundtable
2025-05-08 11:30 - 13:30 | ROE 3 Vandalia, 1500 W Jefferson St, Vandalia, IL, 62471, United States
Join us for an open discussion on the current state of technology in our schools. This networking meeting is designed for technology directors, instructional technology coaches, and anyone interested in the intersection of education and IT. We’ll tackle challenges, share successes, and explore the evolving edtech landscape. Come brainstorm, ask questions, and connect with colleagues. Whether you’re seeking solutions, want to stay ahead of trends, or need a supportive space, this meeting is for you!

SOPPA Sanity: Mastering DPAs and SOPPA Compliance
2025-05-12 09:00 - 12:00 | ROE 56: Will, 116 N. Chicago St, Joliet, IL, 60432, United States
Safeguarding student data is crucial, yet managing DPAs and complying with SOPPA can be daunting for tech directors. This workshop offers practical strategies and collaborative opportunities for all those tasked with maintaining their district’s data privacy requirements. We’ll cover best practices for SOPPA agreements, address SDPC challenges, and explore effective methods for staying organized while maintaining SOPPA compliance. Participants will network, share insights, and discuss their own strategies for handling the never-ending stream of teacher requests. Hands-on time will allow attendees to apply learned concepts and leave with enhanced confidence and strategies for maintaining district compliance and protecting student data, all while keeping your sanity!

Tech Treks: Student Data with Nearpod Reports
2025-05-12 15:30 - 16:30 | Online, IL, United States
We all know Nearpod shines when it comes to delivering engaging, interactive lessons. But what happens after the lesson ends? How do you check in on student understanding and growth?
That’s where Nearpod’s Reports feature steps in. With just a few clicks, you can view student responses, analyze performance trends, and use real-time data to inform your next steps—all without the guesswork.
Join us for a hands-on look at Nearpod’s reporting capabilities, including how you can start utilizing them to make data-informed decisions as soon as today.
???? What You’ll Experience:

Navigate the Reports tab and access saved lessons with ease
Dive into student data to uncover insights and track progress

This isn’t your typical sit-and-get webinar—we’ll roll up our sleeves, dive into the tool, and you’ll leave with a Nearpod lesson that you can use immediately to gather student responses and analyze the data that matters.
We recommend using two devices for this webinar: one to watch the presentation and a laptop to follow along with the demonstration and try out the tool yourself.
Illinois educators who register here and attend live through Zoom can earn 1.0 PD credit.

Bluum Professional ChromeOS Administrator Certification Mini-Bootcamp
2025-05-13 08:30 - 14:00 | Four Points by Sheraton, 10249 W Irving Park Road, Schiller Park, IL, 60176, United States
You’re invited by Bluum to an exclusive ChromeOS Certified Administrator Mini-Bootcamp, delivered by RGT Consultants. This immersive event is tailored for education IT professionals looking to elevate their ChromeOS management expertise. Through expert-led instruction, hands-on labs, and real-world simulations, you’ll build the skills needed to confidently manage ChromeOS environments and prepare to earn your Professional ChromeOS Administrator Certification.
All attendees will receive a voucher for the ChromeOS certification exam — a $125 value — at no additional cost.
Don’t miss this opportunity to strengthen your skills, expand your network, and drive innovation in your district.
This Training is designed for IT administrators, support specialists, and anyone responsible for deploying, managing, and securing ChromeOS devices in their organization. The training will also prepare attendees to take the professional ChromeOS Administrator Certification.
What you will learn
ChromeOS Fundamentals
Admin Console Fundamentals
Admin Console Actions
Exam Preparation and Resources

This session is highly interactive and will give participants the ability to work in a sandboxed Google Admin Console environment. Please be sure to bring your laptop to the event. Attendees will also receive 30 day access to the test environment for study purposes.

ROE 49 Technology Round Table
2025-05-13 12:30 - 14:30 | ROE 49: Rock Island, 3430 Avenue of The Cities, Moline, Illinois, 61265 4417, USA

Canva: Your Launchpad for Creative Learning
2025-05-13 15:30 - 17:00 | Online, IL, United States

ROE 4 Technology Round Table
2025-05-15 09:00 - 12:00 | ROE 4: Boone/Winnebago, 300 Heart Blvd, Loves Park, Illinois, 61111 7516, USA

ROE 11 Tech Networking Meeting
2025-05-15 09:30 - 11:30 | ROE 11: Clark/Coles/Cumberland/Douglas/Edgar/Moultrie/Shelby, 730 7th St, Charleston, Illinois, 61920 2101, USA
