Focus Area

Classroom Integration & Pedagogy

Support for classrooms and districts focused on making the most of their edtech tools, including hardware, software, and emerging solutions.

Technology in the classroom to enhance student learning

Leveraging technology to enhance student learning requires more than just the latest apps or devices. A clear, intentional integration strategy is crucial for success. At the Learning Technology Center (LTC), we provide the resources and training necessary to empower educators with cutting-edge educational technology.

Our team comprises former educators with decades of classroom experience. We understand the challenges you face, which is why we offer practical, empathetic support for technology integration. Our goal is to keep you at the forefront of educational innovation while respecting your expertise and unique classroom needs.


Services
Service
Professional Learning

Custom PD for Districts and Schools

Customizable

Customized edtech professional learning to meet the needs of districts and schools.

Service
Consulting

Education Consulting

Free

Consulting on all tech-related teaching and learning topics.

Service
Database

Esport Directory

A database of K12 esport teams in Illinois.

Service
Professional Learning

IETC Conference

November
$175+

The Illinois Education and Technology Conference, held annually in Springfield, brings together educators and tech experts to explore innovative teaching methods and leverage technology for enhanced learning statewide.

Service
Service

Instructional Technology Coaching Program

Year-Long
Customizable

High-quality and embedded instructional technology coaching throughout the entire year.

Service
Network

LTC Online Community

Free

A free online community for educators, admin, and technology leaders.

Service
Professional Learning

Online Courses

Free and Paid

Self-guided professional learning that supports educators’ use of digital tools for teaching and learning.

Professional Learning

Online Courses

Free & Paid

Online courses focusing on educational technology trends and best practices in a format that fits educators’ busy schedules.

Service
Professional Learning

Regional Workshops and Events

Variable

Over 650 regional events and conferences on educational technology topics.

Service
Professional Learning

Webinars

Free

Register for our regular webinar series and view recordings.

Resources
Resource
Best Practices

Principles for Supporting Meaningful Tech Integration

Intentional and strategic integration can ensure technology enhances, not replaces, student-centered learning. This resource highlights five tech integration principles that can amplify authentic tech-powered learning.

Resource
Video

LTC Community Orientation Videos

Video tutorials on navigating the LTC Community, the LTC’s free professional learning community.

Resource
Podcast

One-to-One Podcast

Conversations from the heart of education and technology with Brian and Matt.

Resource
Handout/Worksheet

Esports Program Checklist

Empower Your New Esports Team at your School with Our Comprehensive Checklist! Unveil the potential of your budding esports squad using this all-inclusive checklist. From recruitment and practice schedules to team branding, our checklist ensures

Resource
Resource Collections

3D Printing Resources

Technology Integration is fundamental for an effective digital learning experience, here’s an Infographic with 8 digital skills every teacher needs to know along side with the best programs to support them!

Resource
Guidance

Drones in the Classroom – Q&A for Curricular Integration and Funding

Why should drones be part of your school’s curriculum? What classes can drones be used in? Find answers to these questions and more (including funding and safety recommendations) in this handy guide produced by the

Events

Working Smarter with AI

Jul 15, 2025
Free

Join us for a hands-on workshop for educators ready to advance their AI journey. We’ll cover the basics of AI, its impact on education, and practical classroom applications. Through group discussions and activities, you’ll explore

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

An Educator’s Guide to Canva

Jul 16, 2025
Free

This hands-on session will guide you through using Canva’s templates presentation tool, the whiteboard, and docs for lesson plans and student collaboration. Through group discussions and activities, we will explore Canva’s Magic Studio tools like

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

Unleash Student Creativity with Digital Storytelling in Canva

Jul 22, 2025
Free

What if you could tap into the captivating world of TikTok and YouTube to bring your lessons to life? This workshop explores the art of digital storytelling in the classroom. Learn how to guide your

Emily Flach
Emily Flach
Regional Educational Technology Coordinator | Southern Region, Learning Technology Center

A Beginner’s Guide to Canva

Jul 29, 2025
Free

Are you new to Canva and ready to try it out? In this virtual session, you will learn how to search for and then create amazing designs in minutes with Canva’s templates and tools.

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

Hey Google! Help Me Design Creative Lessons

Jul 30, 2025
$40

In this session, we’ll focus on how you can create interactive assignments and collaborative projects using Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drawings. Along the way, we’ll also highlight practical strategies you can use to elevate

Ben Sondgeroth
Ben Sondgeroth
Lead Regional Educational Technology Coordinator | Northern Illinois, Learning Technology Center

Reclaim Your Time: Discover Brisk AI

Jul 30, 2025
Free

Empower your teaching with Brisk AI! This Zoom session will introduce you to this powerful Chrome extension tool that will help with curriculum, feedback, differentiation, and more right from the apps and websites you already

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

Learn about the Magic in MagicSchool AI

Jul 31, 2025
Free

Join us for this virtual workshop exploring MagicSchool, a leading AI platform, that allows educators to save time in creating lesson plans, differentiating instruction, writing assessments, creating IEP goals, communicating, and more.

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

Using Canva’s Magic Studio

Aug 4, 2025
Free

Unleash the power of Canva’s Magic Studio and transform your teaching materials with AI! This workshop dives into Magic Studio’s tools like Magic Write, Design, Edit, and Eraser to help you effortlessly generate creative text,

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

What’s New with AI in Education?

Aug 5, 2025
$10

Discover how artificial intelligence is influencing today’s classrooms and learn practical ways to integrate it into your teaching. This workshop offers a clear look at key AI trends, from tools that personalize learning and support

Ben Sondgeroth
Ben Sondgeroth
Lead Regional Educational Technology Coordinator | Northern Illinois, Learning Technology Center

Applying Canva in Your Classroom

Aug 5, 2025
Free

Are you familiar with the basics of Canva and want to learn more? Discover how Canva can transform your teaching and engage your students! This hands-on session will guide you through using Canva’s Presentation tool,

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

Edtech Power Hour! AI Tools for Back-to-School

Sep 11, 2025
Free

In this lightning-round session, uncover simple, effective ways to boost your creativity, save time, and support your students using Canva, Brisk, and NotebookLM.

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

Edtech Power Hour! Quick Wins with Non-AI Tools

Sep 17, 2025
Free

This fast-paced session is packed with actionable tips and classroom-ready strategies to help you spark engagement, streamline your workflow, and bring student projects to life—no algorithms required.

Matt Sherrill
Matt Sherrill
Regional Educational Technology Coordinator | East Central Region, Learning Technology Center
Articles

“That’s a wrap!” – Highlights from IETC 2020

The 27th annual Illinois Education and Technology Conference (IETC) wrapped up on Saturday, November 21. This year marked the conference’s first venture into the virtual realm, with all sessions, workshops, and networking held online. Read

“A New Outlook” – Takeaways from the Remote Learning Conference

Back on Friday, January 15, the Learning Technology Center wrapped up a first-of-its-kind conference centered on education’s most recent evolution. The Remote Learning Conference marked a major leap forward for collaboration in Illinois’ edtech community,

Tim McIlvain
Tim McIlvain
Executive Director, Learning Technology Center
AR/VRNetworkingProfessional LearningRobotics

“Keeping it real with real educators” – Takeaways from IETC 2021

The 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
Tim McIlvain
Executive Director, Learning Technology Center

10 Tips for Getting the Most Out of a Virtual PD Event

With this new style of virtual professional development, there is a clear learning curve. Here are the top 10 tips to help you make the most of your next virtual conference.

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

12 Days of Resources for Parents and Caregivers

During this holiday season, the SPARK program wants to offer you a gift – 12 great resources for facilitating successful remote learning in your home. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to check back daily for

Colleen Kaplan
Colleen Kaplan
Senior Customer Trainer for EDU and small business accounts, Microsoft

2021 Remote Learning Conference – Registration Now Open

It’s time to design, engage, and enhance remote and hybrid learning in Illinois! Registration for the LTC’s Remote Learning Conference is now open.

Sam Fishel
Sam Fishel
Digital Content Manager, Learning Technology Center
Contracts
Contracts are facilitated by ILTPP, the LTC’s cooperative that leverages the collective buying power of Illinois K-12 schools to provide affordable, high-quality technology and digital learning resources through trusted vendor partnerships.

CTL

Chromebooks, Computer Equipment, Peripherals, & Related Services

ILTPP-CTL2504 |

End Date: 05-14-2026

Caetra.io: Cybersecurity & Training

Cybersecurity & Training

AEPA 025-F |

End Date: 02-28-2026

Bluebird: Security Solutions

Security Solutions

AEPA 025-E |

End Date: 02-28-2026

ActZero: Cybersecurity & Training

Cybersecurity & Training

AEPA 025-F |

End Date: 02-28-2026

Bluum: Digital Resources & Instructional Materials

Digital Resources & Instructional Materials, Instructional/Classroom Content, STEM/STEAM

AEPA 024-C |

End Date: 02-28-2026

Deledao

Security Solutions

ILTPP 025DLD01 |

End Date: 03-31-2026

Trafera

Technology Catalog

ILTPP-025TRA04 |

End Date: 02-04-2026

CENTEGIX™

Security Solutions

AEPA 025-E |

End Date: 02-28-2026

SAS Halo

Security Solutions

AEPA 025-E |

End Date: 02-28-2026

Resolute Guard

Cybersecurity & Training

AEPA 025-F |

End Date: 02-28-2026

Kyocera

Copiers, MFPs, Printers, & Managed Services

AEPA 025-C |

End Date: 02-28-2026

SHI: Cybersecurity & Training

Cybersecurity & Training

AEPA 025-F |

End Date: 02-28-2026