reference guide

Now more than ever, technology has become an essential part of nearly every classroom. From teaching 21st century skills to teaching remotely, today’s edtech empowers educators to meet their students’ needs and guide them to deeper levels of engagement on a daily basis. But before a teacher can implement a new piece of educational technology, they must first feel confident in their own mastery of a device or platform. In many cases, educators at any grade level can…

…by data security professionals – Illinois schools can ease their way into SOPPA compliance during 2021 and beyond. Cybersecurity for Administrators and Educators This pair of online courses offer administrators and educators a focused look at today’s best practices for securing student data and more. These courses are free and self-guided, so participants can enroll at any time and complete course material at their own pace. All Things SOPPA Starting February 9, the LTC’s Chris Wherley will host…

…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….

A 2-page guide to US copyright law as it applies to education. Included are definitions of common terms as well as recommendations for sharing copyrighted works with students, colleagues, and online. US copyright law protects creative works from being copied, modified, or distributed without its creator’s permission for a limited period of time. Those found infringing on a creator’s copyright, including teachers, can face penalties while also placing their educational institutions in legal peril. Therefore, teachers should take…