CONTACT IDEA

HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT IDEA?


Use this contact information or click here to reach out to a specific member of our team.

MAILING ADDRESS

Illinois Digital Educators Alliance

2735 Hassert Blvd. Ste. 135 PMB 304

Naperville, IL 60564

PHONE NUMBER

(630) 628-1088

REMITTANCE ADDRESS

Illinois Digital Educators Alliance

PO Box 2599

Palatine, IL 60078-2599

GENERAL EMAIL

RECENT BLOGS

By John Closen 07 Mar, 2024
Students for Innovation: Advocacy Day is an Illinois Digital Educators Alliance event that has been around for 30+ years. If you’ve never participated or attended, you may not know what it is or why it is so important and impactful. This post offers a former superintendent’s perspective on how Advocacy Day is amplifying student voices in a big way and why you should be involved. Author John Closen was a superintendent at the time he attended his first Advocacy Day, and he has been a staunch advocate for the day ever since!
By Kristy Gilbert 29 Feb, 2024
There is a huge misconception as to what school libraries are all about and many people, including lawmakers, are failing to see the power that school libraries have to redefine learning and create learners who thrive on collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking. This is exactly why we need events like IDEA's Advocacy Day. We need a forum that will allow our students a voice to bring awareness to the amazing things happening in our classrooms and in our libraries, especially in times where budgets are being cut and school libraries are disappearing.
By Anna Tansey, SMART Technologies 15 Feb, 2024
Inclusion is one of the most important ways we can level the playing field and deliver engaging learning experiences for all. Strategies that foster inclusion in education are essential to amplify the voices of every student, regardless of their mode of communication. In this blog, I offer strategies and considerations that all educators can take into their classroom to provide inclusive learning environments, regardless of their students abilities or disabilities.
By Abeer Ramadan-Shinnawi, MEd 14 Feb, 2024
In her famous TED Talk, Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie warns of the danger of a single story. She explains how growing up, she only read books about British and American characters, and it wasn't until she read African literature that she saw people who looked like her and had similar experiences. This single story of the world can lead to stereotypes, misunderstandings, and a limited understanding of the complexities of different cultures and histories. Similarly, the dominant narrative in history has been written by those in power, often leaving out the perspectives and experiences of marginalized communities. This has resulted in a distorted and incomplete understanding of our collective past. By reclaiming history and teaching missing narratives, we can break free from the single story and gain a more nuanced and accurate understanding of our past. There is a saying in the history sphere of teaching that teaching the non-dominant history is called “teaching hard history.” I believe that this is not “hard” but “necessary” history. History is often described as a collection of stories from the past that helps us understand how our world has evolved. However, traditional history education has often overlooked, marginalized or even erased certain narratives, leaving behind stories that are crucial for a comprehensive understanding of our past. The importance of teaching missing narratives in history provides a foundation on building a more inclusive society. History education should not be about memorizing facts but about developing critical thinking skills. When we teach missing narratives, students are encouraged to question the dominant narratives they have been taught. They learn to analyze sources, consider multiple perspectives, and form their own opinions—a skill that is invaluable in today's world. For many students, they do not see themselves in the history curriculum that is being taught, therefore, aligning curriculum that reflects student lived experiences provides a culturally responsive lens. Culturally responsive teaching is an approach that recognizes the importance of incorporating students' cultural backgrounds and experiences into the curriculum. By teaching missing narratives, we can make history more relevant and relatable to students' lives. This can help students see the connections between the past and the present, and understand how historical events have shaped the world we live in today. Teaching missing narratives in history allows us to broaden our perspectives and gain a more holistic view of human experiences. When we only focus on dominant narratives, we miss out on the stories of communities, individuals, and events that have shaped our world. By including these missing narratives, we not only honor the voices that have been silenced but also enrich our understanding of history. Many missing narratives in history are a result of historical injustices and systemic biases. By teaching these narratives, we acknowledge past wrongs and work towards correcting them. It's a step towards justice and reconciliation with the past, helping to ensure that such injustices are not repeated. History is not just about the past; it also shapes the present and future by inspiring change. Students who learn about the struggles and achievements of those who have been marginalized are more likely to become advocates for justice and equality. History is not just a collection of facts and dates; it is a reflection of the human experience. When we teach missing narratives, we encourage empathy and compassion. Students can better relate to the struggles, triumphs, and challenges faced by people from diverse backgrounds. Students can also learn how groups overcame injustice that led to the creation of laws or policies that impact their lives today. This empathy can translate into a more compassionate and understanding society. Our society is becoming increasingly diverse, and it is essential that our history education reflects this diversity. Teaching missing narratives ensures that all students can see themselves represented in history, fostering a sense of belonging and pride in one's heritage. Students can also find connections between their own communities and those of other communities and how we build on the knowledge and strengths of each other to create the larger harmonious collective of society. Incorporating missing narratives into history education is not only about rewriting history but about enriching it. It's about acknowledging the stories that have been ignored, silenced, or forgotten and giving them the place they deserve. By doing so, we create a more inclusive, empathetic, and informed society—one that can learn from its past to build a better future.
Show More

UPCOMING EVENTS

View all upcoming events
Share by: