Professional Learning Services

Professional Learning Services

Interested in Custom Professional Learning?

Let us work with your organization to determine your needs and provide your audience with the cutting-edge EdTech professional learning they require to prepare our students for tomorrow.

Contact the LTC →

The State Leader in EdTech Professional Learning

A significant part of the LTC’s mission is to provide forward-thinking, impactful, technology-related professional learning to all Illinois school districts, schools, educators, and school personnel. Our regional services teams and subject matter experts provided 750+ professional learning events to 24,000 participants during the 2020-21 school year. All of our professional learning events are customizable to meet the unique needs of the target audience, and we frequently work with whole counties, district, school, and school-level teams. 

We are committed to providing the highest quality professional learning experiences possible. We utilize knowledgeable presenters and facilitators with extensive and diverse EdTech expertise. Presenters range from our own highly-trained and experienced LTC staff members to local and national practicing educators and experts. And since the LTC is an Illinois State Board of Education program, our professional learning programs are free or low cost to Illinois school districts.

Common Types of Professional Learning Experiences:

  • In-Person and Virtual Workshop
  • In-Person and Virtual Networking Events
  • Sessions at State Conferences
  • Summits and Conferences
  • Online Courses and Microcredentials
  • Webinars
  • Year-Long Professional Learning Series and Capacity Building Programs
  • Informational Presentations (Board Meetings, Parent Nights, etc.)
  • Customized Professional Learning Experiences

View all currently scheduled events

Our Focus Areas

Digital Learning Models

The approach to teaching and learning at a classroom, building, or district level.

  1. Technology Frameworks & Paradigms
  2. Virtual, Remote, and Blended Learning
  3. Technology-Enhanced Personalized Learning

Digital Teaching & Learning

The application of technology in education.

  1. Technology in the Content Areas
  2. Digital Citizenship
  3. Computer Science and Computational Thinking
  4. Creation and Creativity
  5. Emerging Technologies and Trends

Digital-Age Leadership & Capacity Building

Planning and leadership development.

  1. Leadership
  2. Technology Planning and Evaluation
  3. Technology Funding and Access
  4. Instructional Technology Coaching Practices and Models

Digital Tools, Apps, & Resources

Focused on specific tools and resources.

  1. Platforms: Apple, Google, Microsoft.
  2. Other Digital Tools, Apps, and Resources
  3. Open Education Resources

Technology Leadership & Support

Supporting technology leaders.

  1. Data Privacy
  2. Cybersecurity
  3. Information Technology Management
  4. Purchasing

Professional Learning Catalog

Below is a catalog of professional learning offerings we often provide. This catalog can serve as a starting point for custom-designed experiences specific for your organization. A Google Doc version is also available.

PD Catalog Sort
Microcredentials

Understanding Remote Learning

Students need the skills to stay safe and use technology responsibly during times of remote learning. Educators participating in this micro-credential will demonstrate their ability to support the safe and appropriate use of technology when students are unable to attend in-person classroom activities.

Duration:6.0 hours (3 hrs synchronous, 3 hrs asynchronous)
Workshop

Using Technology for Formative Assessments

Technology makes it easy to see if our students are understanding what we are teaching. Explore technology tools that allow for “real-time” assessments of understanding and begin thinking about where these tools fit into your curriculum. Tools featured are free.

Duration:1 hour
Workshop

Using Technology to Give Students Voice

Technology has provided incredible opportunities for our students and they are no longer limited to showing their knowledge by simply answering questions on an exam or writing an essay. As educators we have the ability to let students find their voice and demonstrate what they know, think, feel, and understand about our content in a variety of ways. For some students their “voice” may be the ability to create audio in the classroom, for others it could be image or video creation. With technology, the possibilities are many! In this session, we will dive into various tools that will inspire students to find their “voice” and engage with your class content like never before!

Duration:3 or 6 hours
Workshop

Using Twitter to Tell Your Story

Twitter can be used professionally both for teachers’ professional growth and bringing the world into their classrooms. In this workshop learn tips and tricks on how to get the most out of Twitter for your Professional Learning Network.

Duration:2 hours
Workshop

Video Editing with WeVideo

Join us for an interactive walkthrough of WeVideo, a cloud-based video recording and editing platform that works on almost any device. This session will focus on how to organize projects and media files and how to utilize the many features of the platform. Learn best practices for recording and editing, such as camera and microphone placement, and how to edit for maximum student engagement. Participants will learn how to:

  • Create engaging instructional videos that can be shared with their students
  • Create videos that incorporate webcam video, screen recordings and additional media such as music, text and images
  • Create collaborative projects in WeVideo where multiple editors can share media and edit cooperatively
Duration:3 or 6 hours
Workshop

What’s the Hype around Hyperdocs

Learn how to make interactive asynchronous assignments using Google Docs and Google Slides that work in remote or hybrid learning. Applicable to any audience that has a basic understanding of Google Docs and Slides.

Duration:1 hour
Workshop

Your Littles Can Google Too!

From recording reading fluency, to developing storytelling skills, to demonstrating problem solving, G Suite for Education can be used in a myriad of ways in the elementary classroom. This workshop will focus specifically on using G Suite for Edu at the PK-3 grade levels. We will explore apps and strategies specific to young learners to empower them as creators of their own learning artifacts.

Duration:1, 3 or 6 hours