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Illinois Digital Educators Alliance | IDEA @ideaillinois.bsky.social · Aug 6

Read the latest blog from our partners at @wevideo.bsky.social as they explore how video learning can be a powerful method for amplifying student voice and valuing original thought.

www.ideaillinois.org/amplifystude...

#EduSky #IDEAil #EdTech #education

New Partner Blog "Amplifying Student Voice in the Age of AI" by WeVideo.

Illinois Digital Educators Alliance

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Illinois Digital Educators Alliance | IDEA @ideaillinois.bsky.social · Jul 31

Tomorrow’s the final day for #IDEAcon 's Super Saver rate, our most discounted way to invest in staff PD.

You don’t need names now. You just need to commit to educator growth, even while federal Title II funding remains in limbo.

📅 Deadline: Aug 1 @ 11:59 PM CT ideail.org/IDEAcon26sup... #EduSky

IDEAcon Super Saver Registration Closing August 1

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Illinois Digital Educators Alliance | IDEA @ideaillinois.bsky.social · Jul 26

Bold action beats uncertain funding. #IDEAcon Super Saver registration ends Friday 8/1 at 11:59 PM CT. Prioritize PD, equity, and educator joy without needing names just yet. Every badge is a stand for staff development, despite unjust Title II withholding.
ideail.org/IDEAcon26sup... #EduSky #IDEAil

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Illinois Digital Educators Alliance | IDEA @ideaillinois.bsky.social · Jun 24

The heat index says "stay inside"—we say, "great, it’s proposal-writing season." 😎 #IDEAcon 2026 is looking for voices like yours to empower and engage educators from Feb 9–11 in Schaumburg. Deadline: Aug 4. Make this your coolest move of the summer. ideail.org/IDEAcon26CFP

#EduSky #IDEAil

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Illinois Digital Educators Alliance | IDEA @ideaillinois.bsky.social · Jun 18

Join our partners @wevideo.bsky.social at ENGAGE 2025, their first-ever annual conference for educators and creators using video to transform learning. 3 days online. 30+ sessions. 100% free. July 15-17. Register now to save your spot!

#EdTech #EdTechConference #ProfessionalDevelopment #EduSky

wevideo ENGAGE 2025
Activate Learning with Video
Register Now
July 15-17, 2025 | Online | Free to Attend

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Illinois Digital Educators Alliance | IDEA @ideaillinois.bsky.social · May 14

Advocacy Day is always an amazing way to see students in action and hear what they're passionate about. This year did not disappoint! These students, like all the rest of the student groups in attendance, were professional and knowledgeable, and we learned a lot from them.

#IDEAil #EduSky

Chris Johnson @c-johnson007.bsky.social · May 13

Advocacy Day at the IL State Capitol hosted by @ideaillinois.bsky.social. come see the great things the Rochester JH announcements team have been doing this year.

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Illinois Digital Educators Alliance | IDEA @ideaillinois.bsky.social · May 14

Join @mrscford.bsky.social and @sturmdon.bsky.social as they sit down with @mandyfroehlich.bsky.social to discuss the importance of mental health for educators. It's not about self-care emails or jeans days, but real change.

Listen now at ideail.org/ThatsTheIdea...!

#IDEAil #EduSky #education

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Illinois Digital Educators Alliance | IDEA @ideaillinois.bsky.social · May 9

Join the #IDEAil Kishwaukee Chapter for SLEdCon in Rockford, IL on 7/29!

✅ Free
✅ Discover the latest trends in ed-tech
✅ Participate in hands-on activities
✅ Connect with like-minded individuals who share your passion for integrating technology in education.

ideail.org/SLEDCon2025

#EduSky

SLEdCon
State Line Education Conference
Let the Learning Flow
July 29, 2025
Rockford University
Illinois Digital Educators Alliance | Kishwaukee

Illinois Digital Educators Alliance | IDEA @ideaillinois.bsky.social · May 5

It’s Teacher Appreciation Week, and the time, energy, and innovative thinking teachers put into the classroom deserves to be celebrated. Although we appreciate teachers always, we want to be sure to say thank you for all you do, invest in, and endure to make a positive impact on your communities.

Thank you for all you do teachers. Teacher Appreciation Week May 5-9, 2025. From your friends at IDEA.

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Illinois Digital Educators Alliance | IDEA @ideaillinois.bsky.social · May 1

2026 is the year IDEA will celebrate our 40th. All. Year. Long! Starting off with a bang with IDEAcon 2026 where we'll dive into our 40s being 40, fearless, and moving forward! And we want your voice to be heard.

Our call for proposals is now open at ideail.org/IDEAcon26CFP!

#IDEAcon #IDEAil

IDEAcon 2026. The call is here! Call for proposals is now open. Closing August 4, 2025.

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Illinois Digital Educators Alliance | IDEA @ideaillinois.bsky.social · Apr 30

Get ready to redefine what play means in your life and to laugh along with @mrscford.bsky.social and @sturmdon.bsky.social as they sit down with @mrdearybury.bsky.social to discuss the importance of getting in the flow, finding joy, and embracing play in your life.

ideail.org/ThatsTheIdea...!

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Reposted by Illinois Digital Educators Alliance | IDEA

Chris Johnson @c-johnson007.bsky.social · Apr 30

Great to see @ideaillinois.bsky.social engaging kids here in Springfield at the Career Spark STEAM Expo.

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Reposted by Illinois Digital Educators Alliance | IDEA

Traci Johnson @drtjohnson.bsky.social · Apr 25

I got to team up with my best pal (and @sturmdon.bsky.social) to run the @ideaillinois.bsky.social game table at a #STEM fair in the neighboring town! It was fun to play with the students, but it was even better to see my little girl acting all grown up with as she ran the games! 💕

Girl standing in front of IDEA table with games on it.

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Illinois Digital Educators Alliance | IDEA @ideaillinois.bsky.social · Apr 23

Catch up now on the 4/17 issue of the #IDEAil newsletter for tips on ways to help #neurodivergent students succeed, advice on helping students alleviate assessment stress, #EarthMonth activities with Makedo, and more!

ideail.org/BigIDEAs41725

#EduSky

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Illinois Digital Educators Alliance | IDEA @ideaillinois.bsky.social · Apr 15

🎲 We're collaborating with Washington High School and Teachers in the Dungeon to bring you a 2-day summer workshop that will teach you everything you need to know in order to build RPGs into your school environment.

Take advantage of early bird pricing at ideail.org/RPGworkshop7...

#EduSky #gaming

in-person workshop: Meaningful Integration of Role-Playing Games into Your School Community
- learn everything you need to build RPGs into your school environment
- swag bag of useful materials for attendees
- observe an RPG Summer Camp in action
- learn RPGs from students
- keynote: Adam Watson
July 7 - July 8
8:30AM-3:00PM
Brought to you by Washington High School in collaboration with Teachers in the Dungeon and IDEA

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Illinois Digital Educators Alliance | IDEA @ideaillinois.bsky.social · Apr 11

There's still time to register to attend our in-person pop-up PD with LEGO Education happening in Arlington Heights on Tuesday, April 15. Seating is limited, and the spots are almost full, but you can see more information about both three hour workshops and register at www.ideaillinois.org/events

LEGO Education Workshops
- Cracking the Code: From Icons to Word Blocks
- Full Stack STEM: Advanced Coding for Real-World Problem Solving
- April 15
- Free
- Arlington Heights
Illinois Digital Educators Alliance

Illinois Digital Educators Alliance | IDEA @ideaillinois.bsky.social · Apr 10

6.2 million young people are using some type of tobacco product. That number represents 31.2% of high schoolers and 12.5% of middle schoolers. Find out what educators can do to address tobacco usage with students and help them learn the truth about vaping.

ideail.org/EVERFIww41625

#IDEAil #EduSky

Illinois Digital Educators Alliance Wednesday Webinar
Help Students Make Healthy Choices with Vaping: Know the Truth with EVERFI

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Illinois Digital Educators Alliance | IDEA @ideaillinois.bsky.social · Apr 9

If you missed the 4/3 issue of the #IDEAil #newsletter, catch up now with a webinar featuring @sjeducate.bsky.social as a panelist discussing how to meet the needs of our Arab students, resources from @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social for National Library Week, and more!

ideail.org/BigIDEAs4325

#EduSky

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Illinois Digital Educators Alliance | IDEA @ideaillinois.bsky.social · Apr 9

🚨 Online threats are everywhere—are your students prepared? Xerox + ITsavvy and VIPRE Security Group’s self-paced, interactive courses help K-12 students recognize phishing, malware, and social media risks. Let’s build smart cybersecurity habits together! #EduSky

pages.itsavvy.com/hubfs/VIPRE_...

Xerox + ITsavvy, VIPRE Security Group
Empowering K-12 Students with Online Safety Skills

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Illinois Digital Educators Alliance | IDEA @ideaillinois.bsky.social · Apr 7

“It was cool to look around and see what other people were doing.” - Bailey, a student who has presented at multiple conferences, including #IDEAcon, with her teacher on what it’s like presenting at a conference.

#IDEAil #EduSky #education

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Illinois Digital Educators Alliance | IDEA @ideaillinois.bsky.social · Apr 7

“If you’re presenting at a conference, why not have the learning co-designers with you.” - Greg McDonough, educator and #IDEAil member leading a session on including students in conference presentations.

#EduSky #innovation

Greg McDonough and a group of four students discussing why students should help present at conferences with the educator.

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Illinois Digital Educators Alliance | IDEA @ideaillinois.bsky.social · Apr 3

Join us on Wednesday April 9 at 3:30 PM CST as @jehehalt.bsky.social with Common Sense Education explores the highlights of the recently released 2025 Common Sense Census: Media Use by Kids Zero to Eight. For PreK-5 teachers, admin, and librarians. #IDEAil #EduSky

ideail.org/CommonSense4....

Illinois Digital Educators Alliance Wednesday Webinar. Digital Detectives: Growing Healthy Habits in K-2 Classrooms with Common Sense Education.

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Illinois Digital Educators Alliance | IDEA @ideaillinois.bsky.social · Apr 2

Join @mrscford.bsky.social and @sturmdon.bsky.social as they sit down with @jehehalt.bsky.social from Common Sense Education and Dr. Sonal Patel to discuss AI and how our approach and attitudes toward AI can shape the landscape of AI use in education.

ideail.org/ThatsTheIdea...

#IDEAil #EduSky

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Illinois Digital Educators Alliance | IDEA @ideaillinois.bsky.social · Apr 1

Did you miss the last issue of the #IDEAil #newsletter? Check it out now for using the Classroom Zen website, how to close read in any subject with @cultofpedagogy.bsky.social, financial literacy toolkits from EVERFI for 4-12 graders, Advocacy Day, and more! #EduSky

ideail.org/BigIDEAs32725

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Illinois Digital Educators Alliance | IDEA @ideaillinois.bsky.social · Mar 25

Did you miss the latest #IDEAil #newsletter last Thursday? Take a look for tips on embedding YouTube videos, AI and the future of teaching and learning reports, the Stripling model for inquiry-based learning, LEGO Education workshops, and more.

ideail.org/BigIDEAs32025

#EduSky

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