Tag: IETC

NOW OPEN – IETC 2021 Early Bird Registration!

By LTC Staff
June 2, 2021

The future of edtech is here. Now’s your chance to harness technology’s renewed classroom potential by learning from and networking with your peers at IETC 2021!

Registration for the 28th annual Illinois Education and Technology Conference (IETC) is now open, offering educators across the Midwest an opportunity to gather together and share their insights about the latest digital tools, trends, and integration practices. With a fresh, hybrid experience, this year’s conference promises to be among the most memorable and impactful yet.

As our community returns to in-person opportunities to learn and fellowship together, this is one edtech conference you won’t want to miss. Register for IETC 2021 today and get ready to learn, explore, and connect like never before!

REGISTER FOR IETC 2021!

Building the New Normal of EdTech

For nearly three decades, IETC has been at the center of conversations surrounding technology integration strategies, engaging instructional practices, digital tools and resources, and other emerging edtech trends. This year’s conference promises to maintain that tradition while also helping educators chart a course for the new normal of edtech integration.

IETC is also a rich environment for sharing diverse perspectives from across the education spectrum. As such, all educators – including teachers, administrators, technology coaches, and more – are encouraged to attend and join with their peers as they expand their professional horizons. 

A Hybrid Model to Serve All Educators

For the first time ever, this year’s IETC will be a hybrid experience, with both in-person and virtual components. Educators from around the state will be able to attend this acclaimed conference on site in Springfield or from home while still participating in the insightful sessions and workshops IETC is known for.

New Attendance Options

To coincide with this year’s hybrid model, IETC 2021 will also offer two different attendance options geared toward the needs of our expansive edtech community.

First, as in previous years, Midwest educators will have the option of attending IETC in-person at our conference home in Springfield, Illinois. There, attendees will have an opportunity to converse with peers, attend an assortment of special topic workshops, and take in the live conference atmosphere that many educators have missed.

At the same time, prospective IETC attendees can also choose to take part in this conference virtually. That means you’ll be able to tune into a wide assortment of sessions and panels on your own schedule – including this year’s exciting and enlightening key note sessions! Virtual attendees will also gain access to all of the presentations and slide decks from this year’s conference, making it easier than ever to maximize your professional learning potential at an affordable price.

Experience #IETC2021!

Without question, IETC is the best place in the Midwest to learn about both the present and future of educational technology. We want you to be a part of this formative edtech experience, too, so register for IETC 2021 today! Whether you attend virtually or in person, you’re sure to walk away with a new perspective on what edtech can do to enhance your educational capabilities.

REGISTER FOR IETC 2021!

Questions? Visit our conference website for more information on what it means to attend a hybrid conference. You can also email your questions to events@ltcillinois.org.

Keep Up with the Latest from IETC 2021

Stay up to date on everything IETC – both leading up to and during the conference. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or sign up for our newsletter. That way, you can be the first to hear every IETC 2021 updates – including our upcoming schedule announcement!

The Learning Technology Center (LTC) is an Illinois State Board of Education program that supports all public PK-12 districts, schools, and educators through technology initiatives, services, and professional learning opportunities.

Request for Proposals – Share your Voice at IETC 2021!

By LTC Staff
May 4, 2021

The 28th annual Illinois Education and Technology Conference (IETC) is on its way, bringing with it an immersive hybrid experience geared toward the professional learning needs of all educators, IT staff, and administrators.

Powered by the Learning Technology Center (LTC), this year’s conference will focus on supporting and inspiring educators as they build the new normal of classroom technology integration. To do that, IETC needs your help – and more importantly, IETC needs your unique perspectives on what works in educational technology.

Starting today, you are formally invited to submit a proposal and be a part of IETC 2021! Now is an outstanding opportunity to share what you’ve learned through research and practice – especially as your fellow educators work to shape a new generation of future-ready students.

Educators around Illinois and throughout the Midwest are excited to hear from you. Make 2021 the year you share your voice by submitting a proposal for IETC!

Submit a Proposal!

Building the New Normal in EdTech

For nearly three decades, IETC has been at the center of conversations surrounding technology integration strategies, engaging instructional practices, digital tools and resources, and other emerging edtech trends. Prospective presenters are encouraged to share their views on any of these relevant topics, as well as any insights about how edtech’s present can inform its ever-evolving future.

IETC is also a rich environment for sharing diverse perspective from across the education spectrum. As such, educators of all stripes – including teachers, administrators, technology coaches, and more – are encouraged to submit a proposal and support their peers as they expand their professional horizons. 

Presenter Benefits

Without question, IETC’s attendees benefit richly from your choice to present during the conference. But you’ll also benefit when you choose to share your voice at IETC. In fact, this year’s presenters will enjoy the following benefits when it comes time to step out on the IETC stage:

  • Waived attendance fees for lead presenters
  • Professional stipend (only for Workshops)
  • Continental breakfast and lunch
  • The opportunity take part in one of the Midwest’s premier edtech conferences

Presentation Types

For the first time ever, this year’s IETC will be a hybrid experience, with both in-person and virtual components. Educators around the state will be able to attend this acclaimed conference on site in Springfield or from home while still fully participating in a full slate of insightful sessions and workshops.

To bring this hybrid experience to life, this year’s presenters have several options when it comes to sharing their knowledge and insights, including:

  • Panels
  • 3-Hour Workshops
  • 6-Hour Workshops
  • Concurrent Sessions

Submission Deadlines

Currently, IETC plans to release its full agenda this coming summer. As such, prospective presenters like you should keep the following deadlines in mind as you plan your proposal submission:

  • May 21 – Workshops
  • June 11 – General Sessions 

Share your Voice at IETC 2021

IETC 2021 is shaping up to be one of the most engaging and accessible edtech gatherings in the Midwest. With your contributions, this year’s IETC can provide breakthrough opportunities for your fellow educators – starting with your presentation or workshop.

But don’t wait! Submit your IETC 2021 proposal today and lend your voice to the ever-growing body of knowledge surrounding edtech’s future.

Submit a Proposal!

The Learning Technology Center (LTC) is an Illinois State Board of Education program that supports all public PK-12 districts, schools, and educators through technology initiatives, services, and professional learning opportunities.

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

By Christina Ronquest
December 9, 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 through HopIn, a virtual conference platform designed for online events. Despite this new format, many of the conference’s attendees agreed that this IETC was one to remember.

“This conference was very well organized, thought out, and executed,” one conference attendee praised, “I love how much thought was put into offering opportunities and experiences that maintained that ‘in-person’ feel.’”

In true IETC fashion, this year’s 500 attendees found innovative ways to learn collaboratively and explore new possibilities for edtech integration. Much of this learning took place across the conference’s 93 workshop sessions as well as in the virtual Exhibit Hall, where 32 exhibitors (including our own tech purchasing program, ILTPP) talked with conference guests about what the latest edtech solutions had to offer.

Of course, it wouldn’t be IETC without some fun and games. That’s why this year’s leap to online delivery came with plenty of room for peer-to-peer socialization, including daily networking opportunities. Fan-favorite activities, including IETC Bingo, were also offered, both on Friday and during Sunday’s kick-off event.

Already, several IETC attendees have taken advantage of the virtual format’s greatest advantage – the ability to record every workshop session. Those looking to review the sessions they attended or take a peek at a few sessions they couldn’t make it to can do so now for no additional cost. Simply check the email you registered for the conference with, and you should find a communication dated “November 23” with instructions and links.

As always, the entire IETC committee is thankful for its attendees, who have again fostered one of the most enriching, engaging, and meaningful learning communities in the Midwest.  The IETC committee is also grateful to its sponsors, who have helped support this conference as it adapted to the changing needs of this state’s edtech community.

“IETC has always been about cultivating a community of innovators,” LTC Executive Director Tim McIlvain explained in reflection, “In the absence of an in-person conference, we were still able to create a dynamic space where educators could connect and learn from their colleagues across the state.”

In all, IETC 2020 was an outstanding experience, filled with laughter and learning all the way through. Everyone on the IETC committee is looking forward to 2021 and the opportunities it brings for a revitalized in-person experience.

We hope to see you there!

Christina Ronquest is the Project Manager at the Learning Technology Center. She can be reached at cronquest@ltcillinois.org.

Illinois Education and Technology Conference

Event Description

The 27th Annual Illinois Education & Technology Conference is a professional development conference focused on technology integration strategies, engaging instructional practices, digital tools and resources, and emerging trends for teachers, administrators, and technology staff. Learn, explore and connect with other innovative educators to harness the power of technology and prepare future-ready students.

Spanning 6 days, IETC virtual will begin November 16. Breakout sessions occurring from 3:30-6 :30 PM/CST and evening networking events will be held throughout. During the 50 minute sessions, IETC presenters will have pre-recorded content for up to 30 minutes to allow for conversation, questions, and real time implementation presentation.

Register for the Event

Learn, Connect, and Explore at IETC 2020

By Christina Ronquest
November 9, 2020

Classrooms across Illinois and the world look different this year. As educators and students alike work to accept and embrace this change, the 27th annual Illinois Education and Technology Conference (IETC) has also transformed into an immersive, digital experience.

Now, more than ever, educators are looking for opportunities to learn, connect, and explore as a community of peers. The IETC community continues to provide those opportunities, as well as the chance to foster the creativity and perseverance needed for today’s digital classrooms.

“The IETC Conference is my favorite conference every year because of the community,” says Julie Powell, IETC Committee member, “ Everyone is so friendly and each year, more and more people are brought into the family of attendees like they’ve always been there.”

This year, the IETC has renewed its commitment to providing educators, administrators, and IT staff with an engaging, insightful experience via its new, digital format. To do that, the conference has been extended over the course of a week (November 15-21), with session times tailored to fit your schedule. To that end, IETC 2020 will offer new sessions each weekday from 3:30 PM to 5:25 PM and on Saturday, from 8 AM to 11 AM. All sessions will be recorded and made available for a limited time, as well, so you won’t need to worry about attending conflicting sessions.

IETC 2020 will also utilize the conference platform HopIn. Through it, attendees will be able to network with their peers, visit the virtual exhibit hall, and interact with presenters during their breakout sessions. The conference’s much-beloved social events will also be returning this year, including a kick-off event Sunday evening and IETC Bingo Friday afternoon.

Butch Wilson, IETC Committee Technology Lead, summarizes this year’s IETC best: 

“In the most flexible, most accessible school years of the last two decades, IETC has consistently been a highlight. It is that treasure chest of new ideas and boundless outpouring of inspiration that motivates us and lifts us up so we can see what possibilities are on the horizon.  This year? Any opportunity to share thoughts and concerns, any insights that will help us find our centers and help us reach our teachers and districts, any ‘here, let me help you get over this hill’ that we can get is priceless. IETC is beyond priceless.” 

To reserve your spot at this “priceless” conference, head over to www.il-edtech.org for more information and to register. Questions? Interested in sending a group? Reach out to us at events@ltcillinois.org for registration information and group pricing.

Christina Ronquest is the Project Manager at the Learning Technology Center. She can be reached at cronquest@ltcillinois.org.