Illinois Digital Educators Alliance

Illinois Digital Educators Alliance Illinois Digital Educators Alliance (IDEA) is a non-profit, membership organization. IDEA is FREE to join. Sign-up at bit.ly/joinIDEAfree.

IDEA aims to inspire, connect, and provide the educational community with opportunities that transform teaching and learning through innovation.

THE SOCIAL RECKONING: Watch the film, then join the conversation.IDEA’s in-person screening is coming soon:October 12, 2...
10/08/2026

THE SOCIAL RECKONING: Watch the film, then join the conversation.

IDEA’s in-person screening is coming soon:

October 12, 2026, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Central
Hollywood BLVD Cinema
1001 W. 75th St., Woodridge, Illinois

Tickets:
https://hollywoodblvdcinema.com/movie/idea-media-literacy-spotlight-community

Cannot join us in Woodridge? Simply see The Social Reckoning at a theater near you before October 14. You do not need to attend IDEA’s screening to participate in the conversation.

Then join educators on Zoom on October 14 at either 3:30 or 7:00 p.m. Central to share your thoughts, listen to different perspectives, and explore what the film means for students, schools, social media, and trust.

Illinois educators can earn 1 PDH for participating in the post-film discussion and completing the required documentation. Watching the film does not earn PDH credit.

Register for the discussion:
https://ideail.org/SocialReckoning101426

View and share the flyer:
https://canva.link/86vszr6d1tykoer

Explore IDEA professional learning:
https://www.ideaillinois.org/learn

Watch. Reflect. Discuss.

AI can generate answers, but meaningful learning still requires students to think, question, struggle productively, and ...
10/08/2026

AI can generate answers, but meaningful learning still requires students to think, question, struggle productively, and make sense of new ideas.

IDEA is pleased to partner with flipped-learning pioneer Jon Bergmann to bring the MasteryFlip™ Course and additional community connections to Illinois educators. The course explores practical, research-backed approaches to productive struggle, student thinking, purposeful AI use, and stronger teacher-student relationships.

Eligible completed on-demand learning may also qualify for Illinois PDHs after all requirements are submitted and verified.

Learn more and access the member benefit:
https://www.ideaillinois.org/partner---teaching-in-age-of-ai-w-jon-bergmann

Explore IDEA professional learning:
https://www.ideaillinois.org/learn

Purpose before tools. Learning above all.

There is still time to join IDEA and Common Sense Media today.Building Proactive Media Literacy in K–8 Classrooms and Be...
10/07/2026

There is still time to join IDEA and Common Sense Media today.

Building Proactive Media Literacy in K–8 Classrooms and Beyond begins at 3:30 p.m. Central. Explore practical ways to help learners question, evaluate, and make informed decisions in today’s media-rich world. Common Sense Media will also share an announcement during the webinar.

This free experience includes 1 PDH for eligible Illinois educators who attend live and complete the required documentation.

Register:
https://ideaillinois.app.neoncrm.com/nx/portal/neonevents/events?path=%2Fportal%2Fevents%2F59399

Explore IDEA professional learning:
https://www.ideaillinois.org/learn

What does an ice cream sandwich have to do with quantum science?At James H. Bowen High School in Chicago, science depart...
10/07/2026

What does an ice cream sandwich have to do with quantum science?

At James H. Bowen High School in Chicago, science department chair Adam Davenport is giving students an extraordinary opportunity to explore quantum coherence through a lesson that is accessible, hands-on, and intellectually challenging.

Students design and test refrigerator systems to protect an ice cream “hard drive,” helping them connect a familiar experience with one of quantum science’s most complex challenges.

We celebrate Adam’s masterful scaffolding and the students who are designing, testing, questioning, and engaging with a field that is quickly becoming part of Illinois’ future.

Read the story: http://www.ideaillinois.org/an-ice-cream-hard-drive-bringing-quantum-science-into-an-illinois-classroom

Can fiction help students make sense of a world shaped by social media, influencers, and the pursuit of online fame?IDEA...
10/07/2026

Can fiction help students make sense of a world shaped by social media, influencers, and the pursuit of online fame?

IDEA Illinois is excited to feature author Victoria J. Coe and her new book, How I Saved the World, in our latest guest essay!

Victoria explores how storytelling can help young people question what they see online, think about authenticity, and understand how digital culture influences their lives.

Her message connects directly to two of our IDEA Spotlight Communities:

Media Literacy – Helping students critically evaluate information, recognize influence and manipulation, and navigate an increasingly complex digital world.
https://www.ideaillinois.org/media-literacy

Learner Agency – Empowering students to discover their identities, develop their voices, make informed choices, and take ownership of their learning and lives.

https://www.ideaillinois.org/learner-agency
These conversations belong together. Students need more than the ability to recognize digital influence. They need the confidence, independence, and critical thinking skills to decide how they will respond to it.

Thank you, Victoria, for sharing your perspective and helping educators explore these important questions through the power of storytelling!

Read Victoria's essay:
https://www.ideaillinois.org/how-can-fiction-help-kids-make-sense-of-the-age-of-influence-by-victoria-j-coe

Today is the day.Join IDEA and Common Sense Media from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Central for Building Proactive Media Literacy i...
10/07/2026

Today is the day.

Join IDEA and Common Sense Media from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Central for Building Proactive Media Literacy in K–8 Classrooms and Beyond.

Learn practical strategies for helping students question, evaluate, and make informed decisions online. This free webinar includes 1 PDH for eligible Illinois educators attending live.

Register:
https://ideaillinois.app.neoncrm.com/nx/portal/neonevents/events?path=%2Fportal%2Fevents%2F59399

Explore IDEA professional learning:
https://www.ideaillinois.org/learn

Tomorrow is IDEA Wednesday Webinar | Join IDEA and Common Sense Media on Wednesday, October 7, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Ce...
10/06/2026

Tomorrow is IDEA Wednesday Webinar | Join IDEA and Common Sense Media on Wednesday, October 7, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Central for Building Proactive Media Literacy in K–8 Classrooms and Beyond.

Explore practical ways to help learners question, evaluate, and make informed decisions in today’s media-rich world. This free webinar includes 1 PDH for eligible Illinois educators attending live.

Register:
https://ideaillinois.app.neoncrm.com/nx/portal/neonevents/events?path=%2Fportal%2Fevents%2F59399

Explore IDEA professional learning:
https://www.ideaillinois.org/learn

THE SOCIAL RECKONING: One film. Two ways to watch. Join IDEA for an experience exploring social media, trust, and what i...
10/06/2026

THE SOCIAL RECKONING: One film. Two ways to watch. Join IDEA for an experience exploring social media, trust, and what it means for students and schools.
View and share the event flyer: https://canva.link/86vszr6d1tykoer

SEE IT WITH IDEA
October 12, 2026, 6-9 PM Central
Hollywood BLVD Cinema
1001 W. 75th St., Woodridge, IL 60517

Bring a colleague! Attendees purchase their own tickets. At least 30 attendees are needed, or the private screening may be cancelled.

Purchase movie tickets:
https://hollywoodblvdcinema.com/movie/idea-media-literacy-spotlight-community

OR

SEE IT ON YOUR OWN

Choose any theater and watch before October 14. You do not need to attend the Woodridge screening to join the conversation!

JOIN THE POST-FILM DISCUSSION
October 14 on Zoom at 3:30 PM OR 7 PM Central. Choose one session.

Illinois educators can earn 1 PDH for the post-film discussion event ONLY, with participation and completion of the required documentation. Watching the movie does not earn PDH credit.

Register for the post-event discussion:
https://ideail.org/SocialReckoning101426

Part of IDEA's Media Literacy Spotlight and our work with the Illinois Literacy Coalition and Common Sense Media, this experience brings educators together to question, reflect, and share perspectives.

Watch. Reflect. Discuss.

10/06/2026

Big ideas deserve a big stage 🎤

If you have ideas about what’s possible with AI in education and how together, it can support teaching and learning, we want to hear them!

We’re partnering with TED-Ed to bring educators' brightest ideas to the world stage. Register for the free workshop today to refine your idea and help shape the future: https://goo.gle/4hszMEq

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