Membership Benefits

 

Professional development

We are proud to be an Illinois State Board of Education approved provider for educator licensure professional development hours (PDHs). This allows us, with the help of our dedicated partners, to provide educators with a plethora of professional learning opportunities.  As an IDEA member, you will have access to all these opportunities, including member-only events. 

View PD Opportunities

MINI-GRANTS


The purpose of the Mini-Grant Program is to provide IDEA members throughout the state with funding for educational technology projects that showcase innovation and creativity and directly benefit students in PreK-12 classrooms. Apply for an IDEA mini-grant!

Learn More

SCHOLARSHIPS


Scholarships are available up to $1,000 for members to pursue an advanced degree, take additional for-credit college courses, or attend professional development workshops and conferences. Children of IDEA members may apply for a scholarship to pursue a degree in Education. Scholarship applications open in early April and are announced each year in mid-May.


REGIONAL CHAPTERS


There are 21 local chapters  of Illinois Digital Educators Alliance covering all counties in the state. The members of each chapter hold  meetings and events that provide an opportunity for networking and professional development on a local level.


Find Your Local Chapter

RECENT IDEA BLOGS

 Woman smiles in front of a blue background with text:
By Heather McCarthy November 19, 2025
This blog post from an IDEA Mini-Grant winner details how grant funds were used to create a student-driven Aviation Club with VR technology in middle school.
Man in glasses, smiling, new blog post titled,
By Don Sturm November 5, 2025
Don Sturm reflects on finding a balance with tech in schools where the goal should be to use tech with purpose while teaching responsible use, not eliminating it.
By Betsy Monke October 29, 2025
This blog, written by an IDEA Mini-Grant recipient, discusses the idea behind using robots during reading lessons to support literacy and increase reading scores.