LEARN WITH IDEA:
ideaU | Rekindle Your Spark
About ideaU
Since 2020, ideaU has served as a summer sanctuary for educators, a short, hybrid event designed to reignite passion, deepen knowledge, and build community through dynamic sessions led by fellow educators and visionary partners.
But IDEA never stands still. 💡 We believe professional learning should be responsive, inclusive, and available when you need it most. That’s why we’ve reimagined ideaU as a monthly series of on-demand videos, each centered around a timely theme that speaks to the heart of today’s educational landscape.
🔁 What’s New?
- 📅 Monthly Drops: 2–3 hours of themed content released each month from August through May
- 🧠 PDHs You Can Use: Complete each set to earn professional development hours
- 💳 Flexible Access:
- $29/month for members | $39/month for non-members
- $249/year for members | $259/year for non-members
Whether you subscribe month-by-month or dive into a full year, you'll discover fresh perspectives, practical strategies, and a community of educators who share your spark. It’s learning that celebrates innovation and keeps your fire burning all year long by helping you rekindle your spark.
Click below to view additional information for each month's content or click HERE to purchase all 10 months.
August: Back to Basics
August's ideaU theme is Back to Basics which will kick off ideaU’s on-demand series by spotlighting simple tools that fuel powerful learning. This month’s collection reimagines what it means to engage with “the basics.” Whether you’re new to the classroom or a returning vet, these bite-sized sessions help educators do more with less and spark big impact through everyday resources.
High Stakes, Low Prep: Learning with Cards and Dice
Discover how a simple deck of cards or a handful of dice can unlock powerful student engagement with no elaborate prep or fancy supplies required. Learn easy-to-implement strategies that blend content learning with game-based thinking, all using materials you already have on hand. You'll leave with adaptable ideas that spark curiosity and deepen understanding. Come ready to roll into learning that’s joyful, effective, and refreshingly low prep, perfect for any time during the school year.
Presented by Stefanie Crawford
Level Up Google: New Features, Old Tricks, and Everything In Between
Get ready to supercharge your Google experience in the classroom and beyond! This professional development session will guide educators through a fascinating exploration of Google's resources, revealing powerful new and forgotten features designed to enhance teaching, learning, and foster student engagement. But that's not all – we'll also explore some "old tricks" and hidden features to support learning in any classroom. Join us as we explore the old, the new, and the forgotten Google resources and features that can empower educators and learners to create more dynamic and effective learning environments.
Presented by Steve Wick
The Organized Educator: Tips to Tame Gmail, Drive, and Beyond
Is your Google Drive a black hole? Inbox full of chaos? Let’s fix that. This session is packed with practical tips and helpful hints every teacher can use to get more organized, save time, and bring a little calm to your digital life in and out of the classroom.
Presented by Don Sturm
September: AI in Education
This month we are focusing on the practical uses of AI to enhance teaching and learning.
The AI-Powered Classroom: Supercharge Learning with Gemini, NotebookLM, and More
Explore the future of education in this hands-on session. We'll demystify how to effectively integrate Google's powerful AI tools into your classroom, focusing on Gemini, NotebookLM, Gemini in Classroom, and Gems. Discover practical strategies for creating personalized learning experiences, streamlining lesson planning, and fostering student creativity. You'll leave with a clear understanding of each tool's unique capabilities and actionable ideas to transform your teaching practice and empower your students. Was this written by Gemini? (Yes). Will you still learn how to do all of these things and with a human first mindset? (Learn with me and see.)
Presented by David Chan
David is currently the Director of Instructional Technology at ETHS District 202 and also serves as the Conference Coordinator for IDEAcon.
October: Student Engagement
In October, we'll learn strategies for active learning, voice, and choice.
November: Equity & Inclusion
November is all about culturally responsive teaching and accessible design.
December: Joyful Classrooms
December is about bringing fun, creativity, and celebration into learning.
January: Data-Driven Instructions
Start off 2026 with learning to use data to guide decisions and personalize learning.
February: Digital Citizenship & Media Literacy
February is about teaching students to think critically and act responsibly online.
March: SEL & Well-being
In March, we'll talk about supporting student AND educator mental health and emotional growth.
April: Project-Based Learning
April's learning is about authentic, cross-curricular, student-centered learning.
May: Reflect & Celebrate
As the school year is winding down, let's talk about end-of-year reflections, showcasing growth, and planning forward.
