reference guide

…Library continues to grow! Bookmark it and check back often for new lesson plans, apps, and how-to guides curated by CS educators and the LTC team. As a Code.org Regional Partner, the LTC offers support to schools integrating any of their K-12 computer science curricula. Illinois educators with any level of CS teaching experience can also join an upcoming summer cohort to receive ongoing integration support and earn graduate credit from National Louis University. 82024 5 63136 3…

What does it take to bring 3D printing to your classroom? This infographic will show you where to start, beginning with 3D printing process basics and continuing through strategies to set up your classroom’s 3D printing workspace. This resource also includes example activities you and your peers can use to integrate 3D printing into core curriculum content areas. View Resource 90244 59337…

…your network’s current condition and operational standards. Customized Assessment Document: After a thorough evaluation, we provide a tailored upgrade plan. This document includes an assessment of your current technology infrastructure, curated recommendations for improvements based on best practices, and a project guide to initiate your upgrade efforts. Ongoing Support: We ensure continuous support through follow-up communications and/or visits, offering further evaluation and guidance upon request. Audit Deliverables Our holistic technology audits cover various areas crucial for learning and…

…unique needs. Rather than opting for a one-size-fits-all solution, questions like these can help your district establish ethics-based trail markers that guide productive policy discussions: Why are we bringing in AI tools? What educational goals do they help us meet? What criteria are we using to evaluate individual AI tools? Who is helping craft AI policy? Do we have diverse voices contributing to the conversation? Are there some educational spaces where AI should be intentionally excluded? Extra Credit…

…STEM Fest 2023 Get Involved Hot Pink Tech STEM/STEAM Program Resources Sarah Phelps, LTC Computer Science & STEM Program Manager Standards Computer Literacy Continuum Spreadsheet Computer Science Integrated View Spreadsheet NGSS Engineering Design Process (Teach engineering CU) ISTE Curriculum/Lessons Science Buddies Teach Engineering (University of Colorado Boulder) Try Engineering (IEEE) Integrated Projects CS4MS– Computer Science Integration Guides for grades K-6 Code.org CS Connections Picture Perfect STEM– NSTA Bookstore Teach Computing (combines all the digital literacies into a curriculum)…

…as strategies for teaching “unplugged” classroom activities. At the end of the workshop, teachers will have: A plan of action to start teaching CS Fundamentals. An implementation plan for teaching two CS Fundamentals lessons Goals for how deep into the course they would like to try to get. Strategies for teaching CS Fundamentals lessons. A connection to the community of CS Fundamentals teachers. A printed curriculum guide with pedagogy, tips, and best practices. A certificate of attendance Attendee:…

…A mainstay of Illinois’ edtech community, Butch has been an edtech leader and advocate for 20+ years. As part of the former Learning Technology Centers, Butch guided and supported 200+ schools as they developed their educational technology environment. More recently, he has provided technology support and development for the Illinois State Board of Education’s Statewide Assessments programs. Butch believes that “education tools should be accessible and affordable for all of us.” For that reason, he’s been a “grateful…

Read the Otus guide to ensure career and college readiness for your students with IEPs. Discover how data can be used to create personalized future-readiness plans that support every student’s path to success, fostering educational equity in your school community….

…peers A printed curriculum guide filled with pedagogy, tips, and best practices A certificate of attendance Learn more about CS Fundamentals → Who is this Training for?: K-5 teachers (with or without prior CS teaching experience), librarians and library media specialist, any educator interested in teaching computer science Workshop Length: 1 Day Cost: Free or low-cost Scholarships: Available Upcoming Trainings June 23-24, 2025 | CSEL program | Rosemont, IL* *Priority participation in CSEL programs will be given to…

…and accountability—something Kentucky and Arizona are already wrestling with. AI tools like ChatGPT can revolutionize learning, but they also pose academic risks like plagiarism. Schools will need policies that protect academic integrity without discouraging exploration. This could mean new guidelines on proper AI use, thoughtful AI-resistant assignments, and a focus on teaching responsible use from day one. Element #6 AI-Driven Personalized Learning Finally, Illinois is likely to embrace the potential of AI to personalize learning—just as states like…