Focus Area

Digital Literacy & Citizenship

Resources, professional learning, and support for building the next generation of engaged, knowledgeable, and responsible digital citizens.

District, school, and classroom strategies & support

Digital literacy and citizenship are essential for K-12 students in our interconnected world. These skills go beyond basic tech use, encompassing the ability to critically interpret, create, and share online content across various media. Students learn to examine how digital texts promote certain viewpoints while potentially silencing others, developing crucial critical thinking skills.

The Learning Technology Center (LTC) supports educators and districts in cultivating these complex digital literacies. We provide resources and training to help teachers integrate these concepts into their curriculum, focusing on developing students’ ability to navigate, create, and critically analyze digital content. From media interpretation to responsible content creation, the LTC offers tailored strategies for both individual classrooms and district-wide implementation, ensuring students are prepared for the nuanced digital landscape they’ll encounter.

Services
Resources
Events
Articles
Database

Badge & Certification Directory

Database of education and edtech certifications.

Professional Learning

Custom PD for Districts and Schools

Customizable

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

Professional Learning

DigLitCon Conference

September
$40+

DigLitCon is the LTC’s annual digital literacy conference.

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.

Network

LTC Online Community

Free

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

Professional Learning

Regional Workshops and Events

Variable

Over 650 regional events and conferences on educational technology topics.

Professional Learning

Webinars

Free

Register for our regular webinar series and view recordings.

Podcast

One-to-One Podcast

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

Guidance Standards

Illinois Media Literacy Framework | The What & Why of Media Literacy

Developed by the Illinois Media Literacy Coalition, this brief guide offers a framework for adapting media literacy into high school classrooms, including rationale and guiding principles for implementation.

Tools and Apps

Google’s Phishing Quiz

Identifying phishing can be harder than you think. Phishing is an attempt to trick you into giving up your personal information by pretending to be someone you know. Practice telling what is fake using Google’s Phishing Quiz. 

Video

EdTech for All: Creating Accessible Digital Content

Video

Digital Literacy: Leveraging Technology To Inform

Video

Beyond Digital Citizenship: Using Technology to Advocate for Good

Organizations

News Literacy Project

The News Literacy Project is a nonpartisan education nonprofit building a national movement to create a more news-literate America. They offer tools, resources, events, and a community related to digital literacy.

Curriculum & Lesson Plans

Be Internet Awesome

The Be Internet Awesome is a free digital citizenship curriculum developed by Google that gives educators the tools and methods they need to teach digital safety fundamentals.

Best Practices

Copyright and Fair Use for Educators

Best Practices

Connect Safely

Connect Safely resoures support the safe and responsible use of technology resources at all grade levels and includes printable guides on a wide variety of specific and special topics related to technology use in classroom and home environments.

Curriculum & Lesson Plans

Be Internet Awesome

Google’s Be Internet Awesome is a multifaceted program that includes a fun and free web-based game called Interland and an educational curriculum to teach kids how to be safe and responsible explorers of the online world.

Best Practices

Connect Safely Guides

Best Practices

Family Online Safety Institute

Best Practices Curriculum & Lesson Plans

Digital Citizenship Curriculum, by Common Sense Education

Best Practices Standards

LTC’s Copyright and Fair Use for Educators

Curriculum & Lesson Plans

ISBE’s Computer Literacy: Knowledge and Skill Development Continuum

Navigating Digital Waters: From Well-Being to Thriving

Aug 8, 2024
Free

Join us as we explore practical strategies for maintaining digital well-being, including resources to help students practice balancing technology use – for school and for entertainment – with their individual mental health.

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

Library Media Specialist Networking Meeting

Sep 11, 2024
Free

Join the LTC’s Holly Kelly for a monthly virtual networking meeting explicitly geared to the needs of today’s library media specialists.

Holly Kelly
Holly Kelly
Human-Centered Technology Specialist, Learning Technology Center
Digital Literacy

DigLitCon 2024 Day 1

Sep 12, 2024
100

Join education stakeholders from around Illinois for a conference centered on digital literacy, with presenters offering their views on how to best integrate this new literacy into instruction across subject areas and grade levels.

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

DigLitCon 2024 Day 2

Sep 13, 2024
40

Join education stakeholders from around Illinois for a conference centered on digital literacy, with presenters offering their views on how to best integrate this new literacy into instruction across subject areas and grade levels.

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

Declutter My Digital Life

Sep 18, 2024
20

Join us to discover a tech-forward way to work smarter and increase your efficiency – no matter what your day throws at you!

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

Library Media Specialist Networking Meeting

Oct 9, 2024
Free

Join the LTC’s Holly Kelly for a monthly virtual networking meeting explicitly geared to the needs of today’s library media specialists.

Holly Kelly
Holly Kelly
Human-Centered Technology Specialist, Learning Technology Center

Illinois Education and Technology Conference 2024 (IETC)

Nov 13, 2024
325

Learn, collaborate, and connect with fellow edtech enthusiasts and leaders during a multi-day professional learning experience ideal for collaborating one-on-one with peers and forging meaningful connections.

Tim McIlvain
Tim McIlvain
Executive Director, Learning Technology Center

Library Media Specialist Networking Meeting

Nov 13, 2024
Free

Join the LTC’s Holly Kelly for a monthly virtual networking meeting explicitly geared to the needs of today’s library media specialists.

Holly Kelly
Holly Kelly
Human-Centered Technology Specialist, Learning Technology Center

Library Media Specialist Networking Meeting

Dec 11, 2024
Free

Join the LTC’s Holly Kelly for a monthly virtual networking meeting explicitly geared to the needs of today’s library media specialists.

Holly Kelly
Holly Kelly
Human-Centered Technology Specialist, Learning Technology Center

Library Media Specialist Networking Meeting

Jan 8, 2025
Free

Join the LTC’s Holly Kelly for a monthly virtual networking meeting explicitly geared to the needs of today’s library media specialists.

Holly Kelly
Holly Kelly
Human-Centered Technology Specialist, Learning Technology Center

Library Media Specialist Networking Meeting

Feb 12, 2025
Free

Join the LTC’s Holly Kelly for a monthly virtual networking meeting explicitly geared to the needs of today’s library media specialists.

Holly Kelly
Holly Kelly
Human-Centered Technology Specialist, Learning Technology Center

Library Media Specialist Networking Meeting

Mar 12, 2025
Free

Join the LTC’s Holly Kelly for a monthly virtual networking meeting explicitly geared to the needs of today’s library media specialists.

Holly Kelly
Holly Kelly
Human-Centered Technology Specialist, Learning Technology Center

Library Media Specialist Networking Meeting

Apr 9, 2025
Free

Join the LTC’s Holly Kelly for a monthly virtual networking meeting explicitly geared to the needs of today’s library media specialists.

Holly Kelly
Holly Kelly
Human-Centered Technology Specialist, Learning Technology Center
Artificial Intelligence (AI)

AI for Everyone with Dr. Monica Burns

AI has arrived in the classroom! Let’s talk about how educator can harness it for productive learning with Dr. Monica Burns + AI-enhanced apps and tools you can reach for today with Eric Santos.

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 during the AI in Education Summit, hosted by Illinois Tech of the Year Joe Fatheree.

Networking Professional 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 up in 2023!