Crystal Lake Elementary District 47 Students Head to Springfield for TECH 2017

“Students for the Information Age” TECH 2017 event was held on Tuesday, May 9, 2017 at the Illinois State Capitol building in Springfield where hundreds of students and teachers represented schools from throughout the state.

At the event, students showed the public and members of the Illinois State Senate and House of Representatives how technology is being used in the classroom to increase student engagement and improve achievement. From elementary to high school classrooms, TECH 2017 highlights the crucial role that technology plays in education -- ranging from increases in collaboration and critical thinking, to promoting learning beyond the limits of the school day -- by creating a space for students to share their learning and innovative uses of devices, the internet, and digital curriculum.

Taking part in the demonstration were South Elementary fourth grade students Ben Freese and Zoe Bosonetta, and their teachers Melissa Tatman and Heather Nelson. The students presented how they create, explore and reflect using technology and how they use a variety of digital tools, such as Google Apps, Seesaw, and Khan Academy to provide authentic learning opportunities. In addition, three Hannah Beardsley sixth graders -- Heli Patel, Brogan Amherdt, and Mason Wegener -- and their language arts/social studies teacher Kristy Kleckauskas presented on the use of Chromebooks and how these new devices have enhanced creative, collaborative learning and have positively influenced academic achievement.

The purpose of TECH 2017 is to raise awareness of the critical role technology plays in preparing students to succeed in today’s world, and to show the need for increased funding for classroom technology. Students demonstrated for lawmakers and the public the creative ways technology is being used to enhance and accelerate student achievement in Illinois schools today.

According to TECH 2017 Co-Chair Tim McIlvain, “Personal devices, the internet, and digital content are the enabling tools of the modern learning environment, expanding the boundaries of the classroom while promising to transform all aspects of learning."

TECH 2017 is a not-for-profit initiative presented by Illinois Computing Educators (ICE), and is supported by a broad range of education and business organizations.

PHOTOS: 1) Hannah Beardsley TECH 2017 team with State Representative Barbara Wheeler. From left to right: Heli Patel, Brogan Amherdt, Rep. Wheeler, Mason Wegener and language arts/social studies teacher Kristy Kleckauskas. 2) South Elementary TECH 2017 team with State Senator Karen McConnaughay and State Representative Allen Skillicorn. From left to right: South teachers Heather Nelson and Melissa Tatman, Zoe Bosonetta, Sen. McConnaughay, Ben Freese, and Rep. Skillicorn.