Feelings wheels are most often used by counselors, therapists, and social workers to help individuals express feelings appropriately. But what if this approach could also be used in the classroom or even for personal growth? 

Join us this month in learning how to use a feelings wheel to help with emotional self-awareness. 

*Registration includes a digital download of a feelings wheel.

Welcome to the November playground which is all about fostering computer science program comprehension!

In this playground we will focus on the following areas:

As a discipline, computing is broad, with connections to many other subject areas. It is also rich in concepts. While some are quite tangible, many are very abstract. As an educator, it can be easy to get distracted by the technology tool, programming language or context that your learners are using. This playground will help support learners' conceptual understanding of computer science.

Here is how a playground works:  you will have from November 14 until November 30 to watch up to 6 pre-recorded sessions that range from 30 - 60 minutes long.  At the end of each video, there will be a link for the PDHs.

Illinois educators can earn up to three (3) PDHs for this event. 

Join CS for Success as they review key resources for introducing cybersecurity into your K-12 classroom.

They'll cover the Keys to Cybersecurity and how to use the Cybersecurity Learning Standards to infuse vital cybersecurity concepts into any of your lessons.

CS for Success will be joined by a team member of CYBER.org who will share their vision for an engaging K-12 cybersecurity program as well as how to best utilize their FREE educator resources.

Illinois educators can earn 1 PDHs for attending this webinar live.  

This workshop is perfect for cybersecurity novices and experts alike!

Join CS for Success and CYBER.ORG as they dive into unpacking the K-12 Cybersecurity Learning Standards developed by CYBER.org. You'll learn how to integrate these learning standards into your classroom, but not before reviewing the basic concepts covered within cybersecurity to ensure you have a clear understanding of what should be covered by K-12 cyber programs.

By the end of this session, you'll surely consider yourself well versed in cybersecurity and will feel confident in your ability to identify cyber-based skills in any of your future lessons!

*Please note: this workshop will NOT be recorded.

Illinois educators can earn 3 PDHs for attending this workshop.

Is your district interested in registering 5 or more people? Contact IDEA at info@ideaillinois.org for special group pricing!

Welcome to the December playground is all about Meaningful feedback which is imperative for student growth. But how do we provide an authentic audience for our students in the first place? Along with learning about several formative assessment strategies, this workshop will unpack the power of feedback and the potential to connect students to an authentic audience.

In this playground, we will focus on the following areas:

Here is how a playground works:  you will have from December 12 until December 31 to watch up to 6 pre-recorded sessions that range from 30 - 60 minutes long.  At the end of each video, there will be a link for the PDHs.

Illinois educators can earn up to three (3) PDHs for this event. 

This month's playground is intended to help educators increase self-awareness.

In this series, you’ll find opportunities  to think about your own thinking and understand how their own thoughts and behaviors impact their interactions with others.

Some topics include but are not limited to:

Here is how a playground works:  you will have from January 16 until January 31 to watch up to 6 pre-recorded sessions that range from 30 - 60 minutes long.  At the end of each video, there will be a link for the PDHs.

Illinois educators can earn up to three (3) PDHs for this event. 

What can you do to advance your pedagogical skills and maximize student learning?

To transform the field of education, we must promote a career continuum that leads to accomplished teaching.

Join this #WednesdayWebinar to learn about National Board Certification, the research-based process towards certification, the ISBE subsidy for certification, and how you can achieve National Board Certification.

Illinois Educators can earn 1 PDH for attending this webinar live.

Do you want a better understanding of the day to day life of your district's technology department?

If you answered "YES!", then this workshop is for you!

During this Administrator Academy, attendees will:

By the end of this workshop, attendees will have the needed information to have meaningful conversations with their technology departments in order to move their district forward.

Participants should bring or know how to access your district's organization chart, SOPPA agreements, and technology plan (if available).

Educators can choose to earn Admin Academy credit ($225) or 6 PDHs ($100).

Interested in other Admin Academies?  Check out our other upcoming opportunities:

This month's playground is all about empowering young learners!

Learn how you can help your students leverage technology to take an active role in choosing, achieving, and demonstrating competency in their learning goals, informed by the learning sciences.

Learn all about the following:

Here is how a playground works:  you will have from April 17 until April 29 to watch up to 6 pre-recorded sessions that range from 30 - 60 minutes long.  At the end of each video, there will be a link for the PDHs.

Illinois educators can earn up to three (3) PDHs for this event. 

This workshop will focus on the evaluation of technology in the classroom and how it relates to the evaluation of teachers. It is designed to provide administrators with the ability to walk into a classroom and know the difference between a teacher using technology as a lesson enhancer not just using it to say they are using it.

The course will also address effective tools that administrators can use from day to day, such as websites, blogs, podcasting, and social media to relay information to stakeholders in the community.

Also addressed is the ever growing need to move to 1:1 computing as educators get close to the Common Core testing structure and what needs to be understood before making this all important move in the future.

Learning targets:

- Building a culture of learning and the importance of leaders modeling the use of technology.

- Understanding the integration and use of technology in classrooms.

- Evaluation of technology in the classroom and how it relates to the evaluation of educators.

Educators can choose to earn Admin Academy credit ($225) or 6 PDHs ($100).

Interested in other Admin Academies?  Check out our other upcoming opportunities:

This course is designed to support district leaders in the development, evolution, implementation, and promotion of programs and initiatives which will best support students in the future.

Through a researched-based and systemic view, participants will identify celebrations and challenges with current district culture and organizational structure and reflect on possible changes. Also participants will deepen understanding of alternative and authentic assessment methods and blended/personalized learning models and reflect on possible next steps for implementation.

In addition, participants will explore options for flexible differentiated professional development for staff and examine the role of messaging and community partnerships with focus on positive use of Social Media.

Educators can choose to earn Admin Academy credit ($225) or 6 PDHs ($100).

This month's playground is all about assessment strategies.

It’s of the utmost importance that educators provide varying ways for students to demonstrate competency and reflect on their learning using technology. This may mean using data from formative assessments or summative assessments to help create deeper richer learning experiences. 

This playground will cover:

Here is how a playground works: 

Attendees will have from May 15 until May 31 to watch up to 6 pre-recorded sessions that range from 30 - 60 minutes long.  At the end of each video, there will be a link for the PDHs.

Illinois educators can earn up to three (3) PDHs for this event.