LTC One-to-One

Academic esports is often dismissed as "just playing video games," but teams and coaches around the nations are using esports as an ecosystem for career exploration. In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Katrina Lewis, founder of TAEL, who’s helping schools turn gaming into something much bigger—like real pathways into careers in tech, media, and leadership. We talk about what it actually...

What happens when a broken shoe strap turns into a thriving small business? Instead of waiting for the future, today's students are using technology to build their own opportunities right now. In the concluding half of our special student-voices edition of the One-to-One Podcast, we shift our focus to the entrepreneurial side of student tech. In this episode, you'll hear from eighth-grader...

What happens when you give a student a computer, a 3D printer, and the permission to build? Once, a classroom was a place for quiet rows and worksheets, but today, it is becoming a workshop. In this special student-voices edition of the One-to-One Podcast , we travel to classrooms across Illinois to hear directly from the next generation of makers, designers, and young entrepreneurs. In this episo...

It’s one of education’s quiet ironies: the people responsible for keeping everyone connected are often the most isolated. In this episode, we sit down with Justin Morgan to explore how mentorship can support IT directors and tech teams as they navigate the unique pressures of their roles. Justin shares his journey from first-year tech director to seasoned mentor—and now leader of the LTC’s Technol...

There’s been a lot of noise lately about the Department of Education—what’s changing, what isn’t, and what it all might mean for schools. In this episode, we slow things down with the LTC's Mindy Fiscus, walking through the conversation in a simple, accessible way for educators and school leaders. We start with an overview of what people mean when they talk about the “redistribution” of the De...

Artificial Intelligence is reshaping education—fast. And everyone from superintendents to tech coaches are asking the same thing: How do we govern this responsibly? In this episode, we sit down with Amanda Bickerstaff, Co-founder and CEO of AI for Education, who brings 20 years of classroom and leadership experience to one of the biggest questions facing schools today. Amanda cuts through the fear...

We were back at IETC— live and fully embracing a 90s throwback to celebrate the conference’s 1995 debut! In this special episode, we take you right onto the buzzing conference floor as we interview teachers, instructional coaches, tech directors, and LTC staff in real time. This year, we asked educators to once again answer the question: Which EdTech tools are you most thankful for? You’ll hear sh...

AI in the classroom doesn’t have to be intimidating—it can be a doorway to new kinds of learning. In this episode, we chat with Monica Burns, author of EdTech Essentials, 12 Strategies for Every Classroom in the Age of AI about ways AI can help students create, explore, and think in fresh ways. From multimodal projects to AI-guided virtual field trips, we cover ideas that let students experiment a...

So, your school is getting a 3D printer—or maybe you’re just dreaming of one. The excitement is real, but so is the anxiety. Which model should you buy? What software will students actually master without endless tutorials? And how do you keep it from becoming yet another pricey gadget collecting dust in a closet? Join us and Ben Sondgeroth, the LTC’s Lead Regional EdTech Coordinator, for a practi...

Ever wish students could get feedback right away instead of days later? Us too. In this episode, we dive into the groundbreaking ways AI is making instant feedback a reality in today’s classrooms. Our guest, EdTech pioneer Holly Clark, shares practical strategies for integrating AI tools that foster student agency and motivation—transforming learning into an active, student-driven experience. We a...

Navigating the digital world with young kids isn’t easy—but it can start with something as simple as a song.  This month on the One-to-One Podcast, we talk with digital literacy expert and author Carrie Rogers-Whitehead about helping children in preschool through third-grade build healthy, lasting digital habits. She shares practical strategies for parents, like using routines and music to make te...

We are all users of technology, but this month, we’re asking a big question: What does it really mean to thrive with technology? Educators and students alike are surrounded by tech every day, but the line between using it with purpose and feeling consumed by it isn’t always clear. In this episode, Beck Tench from the Harvard Center for Digital Thriving and Holly Kelly, Human-Centered Tech Speciali...

What if every student had exactly what they needed to learn and thrive? That’s the goal of Universal Design for Learning (UDL)—a framework designed to give students access and agency in their learning. In this episode, we’re chatting with Niel Albero, Senior Professional Learning Specialist at CAST, to break down what UDL is really about, what’s new in the latest updates from CAST, and how technol...

Ding! The text message comes through, "We've been hacked. It's bad." In this episode, we hear from Emily Flach, a former tech director and LTC Regional Technology Coordinator, who was there the “Day the Internet Died” at her school. She takes us behind the scenes of a real cybersecurity incident, sharing what happened, how her team managed the crisis, and the critical lessons learned along the way...

AI is here to stay. So, what’s next? Matt Miller—educator, author of Ditch That Textbook and AI for Educators —joins us to explore how AI is reshaping teaching and learning. Fresh from his return to the classroom, Matt shares first-hand insights into how AI is transforming education. He highlights the practical ways these tools can lighten the load for teachers and spark fresh ideas for lesson pla...

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, we’re celebrating the EdTech tools that truly make a difference in education. For this special episode, the One-to-One Podcast hit the road, interviewing teachers, coaches, technology leaders, and LTC staff from across Illinois about the tools they’re most thankful for. You’ll hear from listeners like you as they share the EdTech tools they rely on to engage students...

When we ask students to write an essay or take an exam, it can feel like we've asked them to create a masterpiece like Picasso—overwhelming and intimidating. But what if we could use technology to give students more choice in how they demonstrate their understanding? In this episode, we sit down with Eric Curts, educator and author of Control Alt Achieve , who has spent over 30 years transforming...

The One-to-One Podcast is back for an exciting Season 2, featuring fresh guests and a brand-new co-host! Tune in for a sneak peek at what’s in store this month.

Digital Equity Advisor Ji Soo Song , from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Educational Technology , walks us through the National Educational Technology Plan, or NETP . Ji Soo discusses the three Digital Divides—Use, Design, and Access—and how more than a thousand people came together to help develop this plan, which supports the work that educators do in classrooms every day. Intervie...

We discuss the importance of digital literacy with Darren Hudgins, co-author of Developing Digital Detectives: Essential Lessons for Discerning Fact from Fiction in the ‘Fake News’ Era , published in 2021 by ISTE . Darren discusses some of the elements in the book, as well as the need for every educator to directly teach digital literacy in every classroom during the dawn of this era of artificial...

Mindy Fiscus joins us to discuss her role as the Director of Government Affairs for the Learning Technology Center. Mindy also shares some updates on upcoming changes to rules and regulations involving educational technology. Interviewed in this episode Mindy Fiscus, LTC Director of Government Affairs Contact Mindy Mentioned in this episode COPPA: Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act FCC: Fede...

Matt & Brian look back at the 2023 Illinois Education and Technology Conference (IETC) , held November 1-3, 2023, and the Bank of Springfield Center in Springfield, Illinois. Don’t miss the big reveal at the end of the episode: Next year’s keynote speaker is…  Interviewed in this episode: Tim McIlvain  Alex Valencic  Heather Brown  Linda DeYounge  Kari Moulton  Emily Pool  Lisa Schwartz &...

Brian and Matt discuss some of the tech they’re thankful for, then chat with Dr. Monica Burns about ways that any educator might use artificial intelligence. The episode wraps up with the LTC’s Eric Santos, who describes how educators can use A.I. in several readily available tools. Mentioned in this episode Tech We’re Thankful For Video Android Auto Google Maps Waze   ChatGPT   Google Bard Interv...

Dr. Mike Ribble , author of a number of works on digital citizenship, joins us to discuss the role of digital citizenship and digital literacy as we all come to grips with the age of artificial intelligence. We’ll look at how educators, administrators, parents, and families can work together to help students understand and adapt to an AI-infused world. We’ll also take a look back at NIU STEM Fest...

Learn about the latest in edtech with the Learning Technology Center of Illinois , hosted by Brian Bates and Matt Jacobson. In this episode: Your hosts introduce the podcast. Dr. Kristen Brynteson discusses the NIU STEAM Program. Sarah Phelps from LTC outlines some STEM/STEAM resources for educators. Ben Sondgeroth from LTC answers a mailbag question about supporting edtech PD in schools. Do you h...