T&L Advisor Guest post — Henry Thiele, Assistant Superintendent for Technology and Learning for District 207 in Park Ridge, IL: Last Friday I had the opportunity to attend Tech & Learning Live Chicago at this year's new venue in Rosemont next to O'Hare Airport. I am always amazed at how much information you can learn in one day at a T&L Live event. Chris Lehmann did an incredible job in his keynote about creating a student-centered mindset with memorable quotes like, "The smartest people in the world all explore and play--we should want that for all children." The breakout sessions were the perfect blend of innovative instruction supplemented by creative uses of technology with speakers that represent the best of what is going on in the Chicagoland area and across the nation. I enjoyed the differentiation within the sessions, such as in the instructional coaching session that offered mini sessions aimed towards elementary and high school levels and perspectives from coaches, building administrators, and district leaders. There was also a change in the "Anything Goes" sessions with two shorter times to network and discuss around a topic. I found this to be an effective way to connect with others who are taking on similar challenges. The event was supported by innovative companies such as Citrix, who discussed how they are working with my district, Maine 207, to offer virtual windows desktops on Chromebooks. I always appreciate sponsors' contributions at these events where they share some of the innovative ways they are interacting with schools. This was the last T&L Live of this school year, but if you are looking for one of the best days of learning that you can experience, take a look at what is on the calendar for next year and get to one of these to learn and network with some of the best educators in the country.
