reference guide

…general guidelines to follow: Log out of internet browsers before searching (staying logged in can affect the results). Search (using quotation marks) full legal names, nicknames and usernames. Search Google Images with names/usernames. Use multiple browsers, such as Chrome, Bing, Yahoo, Safari and Firefox. Look beyond the first page of results. Go at least five pages deep until the name/username no longer appears. Take note of what kind of results appear (presentations/social media/images/etc.). Here’s an exercise I give…

…a major asset for students as they strive toward self-guided learning. But as Bates points out, teaching digital literacy is about more than preparing students for future academic pursuits. Fully-fledged digital literacy can also help students thrive in their digital interactions outside the classroom. “Every kid growing up today lives in a world of technology,” Bates explained, “in their free time, they’ll be asked to make decisions about what to believe on social media. Their future jobs will…

Many schools in Illinois and around the US are interested in purchasing new Chromebooks. But which Chromebook model is best? Which model offers the best value? You’ll find answers and more in this guide to choosing the right Chromebook for your school or district….

…practical level – when it comes to engaging today’s learners. At #DigLitCon, attendees will have a chance to tune into “Transliteracy: Exploring New Dimensions in Digital Literacy.” In this session, Jakes will guide participants through the modern meaning of “literacy” and the many ways today’s students will need more than traditional reading and writing skills to remain “literate.” Jakes will also outline several ways schools can plan for and implement transliteracy to reshape students’ day-to-day learning experiences. Focusing…

With summer starting, now is a great time for all educators to perform a mental health check-in. Along the way, you should also consider adding new self-care routines to your life, both now and for the next school year. Check out this guide to learn more about self-care and the many ways it can help bring balance to your personal and professional life….

…as digital learning continues to evolve. Now’s a great time to dive into Google Classroom and learn what it is truly capable of. This course is designed to provide learners with a platform-wide overview, including Google Classroom’s numerous customizable features and settings. This course will also guide learners through the process of integrating Google Classroom into their literal classroom, including for in-person, remote, and hybrid learning environments. Microsoft OneNote: Create and Share Interactive Notebooks SELF-PACED / 2 PD…

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 2022, both in state and across the national. This handy guide will help you choose the events that are right for you….

…Library continues to grow! Bookmark it and check back often for new lesson plans, apps, and how-to guides curated by CS educators and the LTC team. As a Code.org Regional Partner, the LTC offers support to schools integrating any of their K-12 computer science curricula. Illinois educators with any level of CS teaching experience can also join an upcoming summer cohort to receive ongoing integration support and earn graduate credit from National Louis University. 82024 5 63136 3…

…unique needs. Rather than opting for a one-size-fits-all solution, questions like these can help your district establish ethics-based trail markers that guide productive policy discussions: Why are we bringing in AI tools? What educational goals do they help us meet? What criteria are we using to evaluate individual AI tools? Who is helping craft AI policy? Do we have diverse voices contributing to the conversation? Are there some educational spaces where AI should be intentionally excluded? Extra Credit…

…STEM Fest 2023 Get Involved Hot Pink Tech STEM/STEAM Program Resources Sarah Phelps, LTC Computer Science & STEM Program Manager Standards Computer Literacy Continuum Spreadsheet Computer Science Integrated View Spreadsheet NGSS Engineering Design Process (Teach engineering CU) ISTE Curriculum/Lessons Science Buddies Teach Engineering (University of Colorado Boulder) Try Engineering (IEEE) Integrated Projects CS4MS– Computer Science Integration Guides for grades K-6 Code.org CS Connections Picture Perfect STEM– NSTA Bookstore Teach Computing (combines all the digital literacies into a curriculum)…