Blog

News, ideas, and insights on all of the most talked-about K-12 edtech topics

From Fortnite to Future Careers with Dr. Katrina Lewis

Esports is starting to level up, with real pathways to careers in tech, media, and leadership. Dr. Lewis shares how her state is making it happen – and how to develop teams that foster communication and responsibility.

Esports
Dr. Katrina Lewis
Dr. Katrina Lewis
Founder, Tennessee Academic Esports League

Accessibility on your District Website: 5 Hidden Gaps Hindering Compliance

Forms, PDFs, and other digital documents often create accessibility barriers on district websites. Here are a few types that are often overlooked – and why it matters to remediate them

Digital Equity
Tim McIlvain
Tim McIlvain
Executive Director, Learning Technology Center

Golf Outing Returns to Support Technology Mini Grants

Join fellow educators, school leaders, and golf enthusiasts for a full day on the links, with funds raised supporting grants that promote creative and meaningful tech integration.

Digital Equity
Tim McIlvain
Tim McIlvain
Executive Director, Learning Technology Center

12 Cybersecurity Practices your District Should Already Have in Place

Resilient cybersecurity is not a set-it-and-forget-it pursuit. Re-check your district’s procedures with these best practices in mind to stay on top of account management and data governance.

Data Privacy & Cybersecurity
Duane Shaffer
Duane Shaffer
Director of Technology Services, Learning Technology Center

The Middle School Maker (Student Voices, Part 2)

How does a broken shoe strap turn into a thriving small business? Hear how an Illinois 8th grader 3D printed his way to entrepreneurship with a little curiosity and a

Classroom Integration & Pedagogy
Linda DeYounge
Linda DeYounge
Program Manager of Online Learning, Learning Technology Center

Will AI Replace Coding? More CS Questions Answered

Cody is back with more answers! Can coding still help students become workforce ready? How can I make my coding club more inclusive? And am I even qualified to teach

Classroom Integration & Pedagogy
Sarah Phelps
Sarah Phelps
Director, Computer Science and STEM, Learning Technology Center

LTC Launches Cyber Incident Readiness Self-Evaluation for K-12 Schools

Pairing together a practical framework and an easy-to-use self-evaluation tool, this new national resource can help all K-12 districts move from ad-hoc response to consistent incident management.

Data Privacy & Cybersecurity
Tim McIlvain
Tim McIlvain
Executive Director, Learning Technology Center

How Do I Start Teaching CS? Your CS Questions Answered

What are the best starter resources for teaching coding? How can I build my CS teaching confidence? How do you sustainably build a CS program in a rural district? Cody

Classroom Integration & Pedagogy
Sarah Phelps
Sarah Phelps
Director, Computer Science and STEM, Learning Technology Center

Young Designers at Work (Student Voices, Part 1)

The next generation of makers and designers are current Illinois students. Hear how 3rd graders are using TinkerCAD and 4th graders are engineering adaptive and assistive devices in their classroom

Classroom Integration & Pedagogy
Linda DeYounge
Linda DeYounge
Program Manager of Online Learning, Learning Technology Center

Navigating and Purchasing with Punchouts

Punchout sites give you the best of both worlds – access to a broader range of products, with all of the Marketplace’s ease of use. Here’s how you can start

Technology Planning & Procurement
Amanda Bruns
Amanda Bruns
Member Engagement Manager, Learning Technology Center

“Pushing Our Work Beyond the Classroom” A Conversation with a Student AI Innovator

Winners of the inaugural Illinois AI Challenge share what inspired their project, what they learned from their experience, and how AI is impacting their educational life.

Artificial Intelligence
Sarah Phelps
Sarah Phelps
Director, Computer Science and STEM, Learning Technology Center

Tech Directors Need Mentors, Too

K-12 IT teams are often isolated. Peer-led mentorship can break that norm. We hear from a current and a former mentee to learn about school tech leadership’s steep learning curve

Data Privacy & Cybersecurity
Justin Morgan
Justin Morgan
IT Strategy Manager, Learning Technology Center

Finding What You’re Looking For on the Marketplace

Looking for replacement parts? Want to stock up on instructional supplies? Here are four strategies for using the Marketplace to search for everything on your district’s shopping list.

Technology Planning & Procurement
Amanda Bruns
Amanda Bruns
Member Engagement Manager, Learning Technology Center

What’s Happening to the Department of Education?

Redistributing key programs, Title funding consolidation, and potential closure – everything that is (and isn’t) changing in federal education policy and procedure based on 2025 announcements.

Digital Equity
Mindy Fiscus
Mindy Fiscus
Director of Government Affairs and Purchasing, Learning Technology Center

Chicago Students’ Healthcare Solution Wins Illinois AI Challenge

Students from Walter Payton College Preparatory High School earned recognition for their AI-powered solution for optimizing patient triage at local health clinics.

Artificial Intelligence
Sarah Phelps
Sarah Phelps
Director, Computer Science and STEM, Learning Technology Center

What’s Happening to the Department of Education?

2025 brought a lot of change to federal education policies and procedures. Our seasoned Washington expert reviews what’s changing, what isn’t, and how your district can plan confidently in uncertain

Leadership & Capacity Building
Mindy Fiscus
Mindy Fiscus
Director of Government Affairs and Purchasing, Learning Technology Center

New Year’s Resolution: Help your Students Set Healthy Tech Boundaries

Start fresh with these student-focused strategies for breaking digital dependency, adding intentionality, and building healthy boundaries – both now and throughout the school year.

Digital Literacy & Wellness
Sam Fishel
Sam Fishel
Digital Content Manager, Learning Technology Center

Amazon vs. Purchasing Cooperatives: Where Should Your School Shop?

Purchasing devices and supplies from Amazon can feel thrifty, but relying on it means leaving benefits on the table. Pre-negotiated contracts offer savings and support that enhance ROI in the

Leadership & Capacity Building
Amanda Bruns
Amanda Bruns
Member Engagement Manager, Learning Technology Center

AI Policies are Only the Start

An AI in education expert joins us to cut through the hype and reveal what AI policy really needs: a shift from policing plagiarism to building AI literacy for life.

Classroom Integration & Pedagogy
Amanda Bickerstaff
Amanda Bickerstaff
CEO, AI for Education

2025 LTC Awards Announced

This year’s statewide awards recognized outstanding educator-led projects including AI-focused professional development, equitable computer science learning, and support for full device life cycles.

Tim McIlvain
Tim McIlvain
Executive Director, Learning Technology Center

Edtech I’m Thankful for @ IETC 2025

Our Thanksgiving tradition is back for a second helping! Hear shoutouts for the totally rad apps and resources that engage students, spark creativity, and make teaching just a little bit

Classroom Integration & Pedagogy
Linda DeYounge
Linda DeYounge
Program Manager of Online Learning, Learning Technology Center

LTC Awards Mini Grants Support Innovative Classroom Technology Projects

The Learning Technology Center (LTC) has announced the recipients of its 2025 Mini-Grant awards, providing $4,000 to support hands-on, technology-enhanced classroom projects across Illinois. This year’s grants fund initiatives in

Leadership & Capacity Building
Tim McIlvain
Tim McIlvain
Executive Director, Learning Technology Center

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