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

Computer Literacy: Knowledge and Skill Development Continuum

Swiss Army AI: Tools for Every Leader’s Toolbox

Dec 2, 2024
Free

In this session, we’ll dive into the practical side of AI for school administrators and teacher leaders, showcasing a variety of AI tools designed to streamline and enhance your workflow. This workshop is tailored for school leaders who want to leverage AI to improve efficiency and effectiveness, freeing them up for the human element of leadership in education.

Matt Sherrill
Matt Sherrill
Regional Educational Technology Coordinator | East Central Region, Learning Technology Center

AI 101 for Educators: A Beginner’s Guide to Future-Proofing Your Classroom

Dec 9, 2024
25

AI isn’t making our current classrooms obsolete. But if we harness this new tool for learning now, we can future-proof our classrooms and better prepare our students for many evolving learning paths ahead.

Matt Sherrill
Matt Sherrill
Regional Educational Technology Coordinator | East Central Region, 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

Wired for Wellness: A Blueprint for Balance

Jan 14, 2025
20

This workshop will explore practical ways to foster a balanced approach to technology, addressing issues such as screen time management, online safety, and digital citizenship. Participants will learn how to help students become responsible digital citizens, navigating the online world confidently and securely.

Emily Flach
Emily Flach
Regional Educational Technology Coordinator | Southern Region, Learning Technology Center

Wired for Wellness: A Blueprint for Balance

Jan 22, 2025
Free

This workshop will explore practical ways to foster a balanced approach to technology, addressing issues such as screen time management, online safety, and digital citizenship. Participants will learn how to help students become responsible digital citizens, navigating the online world confidently and securely.

Helping Students Navigate Group Chat Drama

Feb 11, 2025
Free

Educators can help students learn to navigate group chat drama, one text at a time. Join us as we look into how to address drama, foster stronger interpersonal relationships, and empower students to socialize confidently.

Lauren Schoenberger
Lauren Schoenberger
Account Executive, The Social Institute

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

AI: The School Secretary’s Assistant

Apr 25, 2025
Free

Discover how artificial intelligence can streamline your communication, automate tedious tasks, and enhance your overall efficiency. Learn to leverage AI tools for managing emails, drafting documents, updating school communication systems, and even bridging language barriers. This workshop will equip you with the skills and knowledge to embrace AI technology and transform your daily routines.

Emily Flach
Emily Flach
Regional Educational Technology Coordinator | Southern Region, Learning Technology Center

Declutter Your Digital Life

Apr 28, 2025
Free

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

Emily Flach
Emily Flach
Regional Educational Technology Coordinator | Southern Region, Learning Technology Center
One-to-One Podcast

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!