Introducing one of our Iowa Featured Speakers for the ITEC 2026 Fall Conference - Nicole DeGidio!
Nicole is an English/EL/Computer Science teacher and Technology Coach at Clayton Ridge CSD.
See Nicole and other amazing educators at the Fall Conference - itec-ia.org/early-fall-confeβ¦
Introducing another Iowa Featured Speaker for the ITEC 2026 Fall Conference - Steven Hopper!
Steven is a Director of Technology for Dallas Center-Grimes School District.
Catch him and our other amazing speakers this October! itec-ia.org/early-fall-confeβ¦
Introducing our third Iowa Featured Speaker for the ITEC 2026 Fall Conference - Lisa Newgard!
Lisa is a PK-6 Teacher Librarian in Cedar Falls CSD.
Learn more about her and all of our other amazing Iowa Featured Speakers at itec-ia.org/conference-iowa-β¦
We also have an Iowa Featured District who will be sharing out at the ITEC 2026 Fall Cofnerence.
North Polk CSD will be bringing a crew to share out all of the awesome things they are doing in their classrooms.
Find out more at itec-ia.org/conference-iowa-β¦
β³οΈ Golf has many rules, including that golfers can only carry so many clubs.
ποΈββοΈ Teachers may want to have the same rule but when it comes to edtech tools.
β What edtech tools make the cut and have a spot in your bag?
Part 4 of our Accessibility series: Perceivable Lists. Using built-in list tools helps screen readers announce: "List, 5 items." List them right!
β Numbered for steps
β Bulleted for groups
β No "fake" lists!
Full guide: π itec-ia.org/perceivable-contβ¦
ALT Educational graphic shows a bulleted list for 'Groups' and a numbered list for 'Steps. Link to the resources page on the ITEC website
Part 5 of our series: Descriptive Links. Accessible links tell you where youβre going before you click.
β "View the ITEC Resource Guide"
β "Click here"
β "buff.ly/3F08ZFt"
Make your navigation clear for everyone! π§
Full guide: π buff.ly/GCImjLa
ALT Educational graphic titled 'Perceivable: Descriptive Links.' It compares a vague 'Click Here' button (marked Fail) with a descriptive 'ITEC's Accessibility Quick Guide' button (marked Pass). The graphic explains that link text should describe the destination for better navigation.
Part 6 of our series: Alt Text. If they can't see it, describe it!
β Be concise & descriptive
β Skip "Image of..."βjust describe the scene!
β Mark decorations as "decorative."
Full guide: π buff.ly/GCImjLa
ALT Educational graphic for the ITEC Accessibility Series featuring an Alt Text logo. The main text reads: 'All informational and functional images need Alt Text. Don't leave them guessing!' The footer includes a link to the resource section of the ITEC website.
Part 3 of our Accessibility series: Logical Heading Structure.
β Use H1 for titles.
β Use H2/H3 for sections.
β Don't skip levels!
Proper headings help everyone (especially screen reader users) navigate with ease.
Full guide: π itec-ia.org/perceivable-contβ¦
ALT Perceivable: Logical Headings.' It shows a visual hierarchy of text organized by heading levels: H1 for the Main Title, H2 for Section Topics, and H3 for Sub-points. The graphic notes: 'Don't just make it boldβmake it a Heading!' to assist screen reader navigation.
Is your text styling a barrier?
Part 2 of our series: Text Fomatting.
β Body Text: Use at least 12pt font
β Underlining: Save for links only.
β Bold for emphasis (avoid italics/all caps!).
Keep your content readable for everyone! π
Full guide: π itec-ia.org/perceivable-contβ¦
ALT Educational graphic titled 'Perceivable: Text Styling.' It shows three accessibility tips: use large font sizes (12pt ), avoid underlining text that isn't a link, and use bold instead of italics for emphasis. Each tip shows a 'Fail' example and a 'Pass' example with checkmarks.
This month, we're breaking down the 4 pillars of ADA compliance: POUR.
ποΈ Perceivable
π±οΈ Operable
π§ Understandable
π οΈ Robust
Week 1 Focus: PERCEIVABLE. Stay tuned for tips on making your digital content accessible for all.
Full guide: π buff.ly/GCImjLa
ALT Series kickoff graphic titled 'POUR: The 4 Pillars of Accessibility.' The letter P is highlighted to indicate the first week's focus: Perceivable. Subtext reads: 'Week 1: Making Information Visible and Audible.' Includes the ITEC department branding and a link to the Resource Center
By 2027, 80% of jobs will require digital literacy. π
On #DigitalLearningDay, weβre doing more than teaching apps; weβre building futures.
How are you using tech today to prepare your students for tomorrow? Share your "future-ready" strategy below! π
ALT Digital Learning Day shows that by 2027, 80% of jobs will require digital literacy.
Are you an IT Professional looking to expand your community, grow your craft and stay up to date on the latest? ITECβs annual IT Conference is taking place THIS FRIDAY - February 20, 2026 in Nevada, IA. Join us!
Learn more
itec-ia.org/it-conference/#itecia#edtech#education
π February Newsletter
π‘ Learning Recommendation
π» AI Skills for Educators
βοΈ Authors: Canva
π Learn more about this great resource to build student skills with AI
π myemail.constantcontact.com/β¦#itecia#education
Are you an IT Professional looking to expand your community, grow your craft and stay up to date on the latest? ITECβs annual IT Conference is taking place on February 20, 2026 in Nevada, IA.
Learn more
itec-ia.org/it-conference/#itecia#edtech#education
Want a handy time-saver in Google Docs? Tricia Louis explains how to use text shortcuts to turn short snippets into full phrases and even type special characters and symbols with ease. A small tweak that keeps faster typing at your fingertips.
docs.google.com/presentationβ¦
ALT Google Docs Preferences - Substitutions screenshot
ποΈ Join us for the IT Conference on Feb. 20th. This event is essential for IT professionals in education. Enjoy insightful sessions, network with industry leaders, and connect with like-minded individuals. For full details visit buff.ly/3ia9dbb.
#itecia#edtech
ITEC is Iowaβs hub for edtech learning, professional development, and connection for educators and IT leaders across the state.
π Upcoming Event
π» ITEC Annual IT Conference
π Nevada, IA | π Feb 20, 2026
Explore more at itec-ia.org#ITEC#EdTech#IowaEducators
β Speaking of goals - what are your favorite ways to keep track of your tasks and goals?
π» What tech tool or non-tech way do you use to help focus on what needs to be done?
π Google Tasks is one way and this list has some great tasks on it!
π» Can AI help you reach your new goals for the year?
π Check out this blog post about 10 Gemini prompts to help you keep your New Year's resolutions.
β What ways can you or your students use AI to reach your goals?
blog.google/products/gemini/β¦