Podcasts about edtech

In this episode, Python Developer Advocate and author Will Vincent joins the hosts to discuss the lasting appeal of Django, changes in how people learn web development, and the ways AI is reshaping software engineering. While modern AI tools can generate working code in seconds, Django's opinionated design and emphasis on maintainability help developers avoid many of the security and architectural problems that often emerge as projects grow. Drawing on his background as an educator, author, and Developer Advocate at JetBrains, Will shares his perspective on the challenges facing today's developers and computer science students. The conversation touches on "vibe coding," the misconception that a successful prototype automatically translates into a production-ready application, and the increasing burden AI-generated content is placing on open-source maintainers. Will also discusses the rise of specialized AI models, the importance of human trust in technical communities, and why foundational software engineering skills remain valuable despite rapid advances in AI tooling. Key Topics Covered Why Django Still Matters A look at why Django continues to be a strong choice for building production applications, even if it doesn't receive the same level of attention as newer frameworks. The Reality Behind "Vibe Coding" Exploring the gap between generating code with AI and understanding the systems, tradeoffs, and architecture required to build reliable software. Learning to Program as an Adult Will reflects on his path from book editing and startup leadership to becoming a self-taught programmer, educator, and author. AI and Programming Education A discussion about how AI changes the learning process, why fundamentals still matter, and how concepts like music theory can help explain the value of understanding code beneath the surface. The Growing Burden on Open Source How maintainers are dealing with an influx of low-quality AI-generated issues, pull requests, and content, and what that means for community-driven projects. Local and Specialized AI Models Why privacy concerns, lower inference costs, and better hardware may drive adoption of smaller, task-focused models rather than ever-larger general systems. Developer Concerns in the AI Era How engineers are responding to growing pressure from leadership teams eager to adopt AI, and what trends JetBrains is seeing across the developer ecosystem. Resources Mentioned LearnDjango, Will Vincent's platform for learning Django and web development. Hello World 5 Different Ways, a Django tutorial that introduces key concepts through practical examples. Django Chat, the podcast Will co-hosts covering the Django ecosystem and web development. Django News, a weekly newsletter highlighting updates from the Django community. JetBrains, the software development company behind tools such as PyCharm and IntelliJ IDEA.Special Guest: Will Vincent.

EDUtech is one of the largest and most prominent education and technology events on our calendar for 2026, and each year it brings together educators, school leaders and EdTech providers across K-12, higher education, and the vocational sectors. Over 2 days last week, we were there in Sydney to have conversations with the education community and hear from local and international speakers. As you'll hear in this episode, we had our podcast mic with us throughout the entire 2 days, so we captured keynote sessions, panel discussions and even some of our chats with educators at the event. What you're about to hear are some of our honest and raw reflections on the sessions we attended. We include some short excerpts from the presentations and links to further reading as well. Most of the recordings were done in the packed exhibition hall so there is some background noise throughout. We hope you enjoy this episode as we take you along with us! Hosts: Rebecca Vukovic, Dominique Beech

In this episode, I share my favorite Google Slides for teachers tips, from customizing layouts to creating interactive lessons. You'll also hear tips on using speaker notes, hyperlinking images, and designing collaborative projects to enhance student engagement. If you want to make the most of this free and versatile EdTech tool, this episode has you covered! Show notes: https://classtechtips.com/2026/06/02/google-slides-for-teachers-373/ Sponsored by Pollzy: https://pollzy.co/ Follow Monica on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/classtechtips/  Take your pick of free EdTech resources: https://classtechtips.com/free-stuff-favorites/   

Edtech ThrowdownEpisode 216: (More) Awesome Edtech for the SummerWelcome to the EdTech Throwdown. This is Episode 216 called (More) Awesome Edtech for the Summer. Every year when school ends we publish an episode where Guise and I share what we'll be reading, listening to, and exploring over the summer break. 216 is that episode and this is another you don't want to miss, check it out.Segment 1: Summer PlansSummer plansSegment 2: Resources for the SummerNickPodcastsSweat the Technique- How do we get better, faster? A group of pathbreaking educators come together weekly to answer that question, applying lessons from the classroom to all areas of life - from parenting, to relationships, to sports, to hobbies and more. Sweat the Technique is hosted by four former principals and superintendents who've led gap-closing schools. That includes: Doug Lemov, author of the international bestseller Teach Like a Champion and trainer to many successful educators and professional sports coaches, Ryan Hill, founder and CEO of a network of 23 KIPP public charter schools in New Jersey and Miami, Stacey Shells Harvey, founder and CEO of ReGeneration Schools, and Ravi Gupta, former leader of Tennessee's highest performing network of charter schools and founder of the largest-ever training organization for Democratic candidates and staffers. In particular I've heard the episode called “Lessons on Excellent Teaching (with Pritesh Raichura)” is quite good.Schooled- This podcast from National Public Radio can help answer the question, “Is this happening to anyone else?” Schooled provides boots-on-the-ground dispatches from Pennsylvania's public school system, where more government dollars are spent per student than in any other U.S. state. The podcast aims to get to the bottom of why those funds aren't working, and what needs to happen to make lasting positive change.BooksTeach Like a Champion by Doug Lamov- Teach Like a Champion 3.0 is the long-awaited update to Doug Lemov's highly regarded guide to the craft of teaching. This book teaches you how to create a positive and productive classroom that encourages student engagement, trust, respect, accountability, and excellence. In this edition, you'll find new and updated teaching techniques, the latest evidence from cognitive science and culturally responsive teaching practices, and an expanded companion video collection. Learn how to build students' background knowledge, move learning into long-term memory, and connect your teaching with the curriculum content for tangible improvement in learning outcomes. Seven Myths About Education- In this controversial new book, Daisy Christodoulou offers a thought-provoking critique of educational orthodoxy. Drawing on her recent experience of teaching in challenging schools, she shows through a wide range of examples and case studies just how much classroom practice contradicts basic scientific principles. She examines seven widely-held beliefs which are holding back pupils and teachersBONUS BOOK (CAN I DO IT?!?!) Non-education one - The Power Broker - 1,344 pages, the audio book is 66 hours long. (the average audio book is about 12 hours long)Grab BagReturn to good teaching practice: Focus on study strategies with thisexcellent one-pagerPhet Studio's customizable simulations and the Wayground Integration - must pay for this but it might be worth it!GuisePodcastsThe Big Dig Catching the Codfather Ian Coss ADDitude's ADHD Experts PodcastThe Episode:"What Neuroscience Reveals About the ADHD Brain"(with Dr. Joel Nigg)Why it's great: Dr. Nigg is a leading researcher who does a brilliant job of breaking down complex neuroimaging and brain chemistry into layman's terms. He explains exactly how the ADHD brain processes dopamine, handles attention, and experiences heightened emotions.Bonus Episode:"Neurofeedback and Cognitive Training for ADHD Kids"(explores how computer-based brain training interacts with neuroplasticity)BooksThe AI-Driven Leader: Harnessing AI to Make Faster, Smarter Decisions by Geoff Woods (released in late 2024) is a highly practical business playbook.While many tech books focus on how to code or automate basic tasks, Woods focuses on the executive mindset. His core argument is that most people misuse AI by treating it like a faster assistant, when they should be treating it as a strategic thought partner.If you are a creator or leader looking to use this book to scale your work, here is a deep dive into its core philosophy and the frameworks it provides.

Send us Fan MailSam Olivieri is the CEO of and has spent more than two decades expanding educational opportunity through leadership roles at GreatSchools, Entangled Solutions, and Guild Education. Daniel Halper is Co-Founder of Step Up Tutoring and leads Step Up AI Labs, where he develops AI-powered tools that help novice tutors deliver high-impact instruction at scale.

In this episode, Steve and Ben sit down with Fredrik Haren - the Creativity Explorer - for a conversation that's been months in the making. It's a wide-ranging, thought-provoking dive into what creativity really is, where it comes from, and why our assumptions about it might be completely wrong.Fredrik Haren has spent 25 years studying human creativity across the globe, visiting 15 to 35 countries a year, from North Korea to Silicon Valley, interviewing thousands of people across cultures, industries, and disciplines. He's the author of The Idea Book (250,000+ copies sold) and The World of Creativity, and defines himself not as an expert, but as an explorer.In this episode we cover:- Why Fredrik says schools don't kill creativity, parents do (and what that actually means)- The Icelandic word for "curious" that will change how you think about learning- What North Korea taught Fredrik about collective creativity and why "one + one = big one"- The hidden etymology of curiosity, creativity, and education and why words matter- The Montessori mindset shift that every teacher and parent needs to hear- Why ego is the enemy of your best ideas and how divine ideas work- The Japanese concept Kaitakusha (培拓者): cultivating the future, not just pioneering it- Fredrik's mother's single greatest piece of advice for raising creative children-Why "lifelong learning" has lost its meaning and what to say insteadWhy you should listenWhether you're a classroom teacher, school leader, EdTech professional, or parent, this episode challenges the narratives we've inherited about creativity, curiosity, and the purpose of education. Fredrik brings global perspective, etymology deep-dives, and genuinely surprising ideas that will make you rethink how you support learners and yourself.Chapters00:00 - Introduction & what's been happening this week02:07 - Meet Fredrik Haren: The Creativity Explorer04:45 - Do schools kill creativity? Fredrik pushes back on Sir Ken Robinson09:43 - The Icelandic word for curious: forvitten (that which comes before knowledge)11:43 - Creativity across cultures: Iceland, Bulgaria, North Korea and beyond16:00 - Collective creativity: why "one + one = big one"22:00 - The Idea Book: how Fredrik sold 250,000 copies by selling stationery28:35 - How the world improves when people reach their creative potential33:45 - The difference between an expert and an explorer36:21 - Ego, divine ideas, and the etymology of creativity41:02 - "Never give the answer" - the best parenting advice Fredrik ever received45:31 - Kaitakusha: the Japanese concept of cultivating the future47:50 - Quickfire Questions

EdTech Hauts-de-France et l'IA : L'Innovation au Cœur des Territoires L’association EdTech Hauts-de-France, présidée par Chris Delepierre, s’impose comme un acteur majeur de l’innovation pédagogique en France. Regroupant une cinquantaine de structures, cette communauté mutualise les forces des entrepreneurs et experts du numérique pour transformer l’éducation et la formation professionnelle. Le Festival « IA avec nous » : Démocratiser la technologie En juin, la région devient l’épicentre européen de l’IA. Suite au sommet européen de l’IA prévu le 12 juin à Euratechnologie, le festival « IA avec nous » propose une série d’événements du 13 au 19 juin pour rendre cette technologie accessible à tous. Le point d’orgue est la Grande Kermesse de l’IA, organisée le 13 juin après-midi à Lille. Cet événement familial propose des ateliers pratiques, un escape game et un « café IA » pour sensibiliser parents et enfants de manière ludique et festive. Enjeux pédagogiques et souveraineté numérique Au-delà de l’aspect festif, EdTech Hauts-de-France porte des projets concrets comme : L’enseignement supérieur : Des soirées thématiques sur l’évaluation par l’IA ou l’infrastructure souveraine « Ilias ». La formation pro : Des tables rondes en live streaming pour accompagner les formateurs. L’esprit critique : Chris Delepierre insiste sur l’importance de ne pas déléguer sa pensée à la machine et de former les enseignants à devenir des « profs augmentés » capables de guider les élèves vers un usage conscient de l’IA. L’association défend également la souveraineté numérique en encourageant l’utilisation de solutions françaises et européennes pour garantir l’indépendance technologique du territoire. Pour rejoindre cette dynamique, les professionnels peuvent consulter le site officiel ou suivre les actualités sur LinkedIn.

"To build a company, it really requires time. At some point, there will be only you who still believes in the product - not your team, not your investors, nobody. You and yourself in the room and your laptop, and that's it." We sit down with Amazy founder Kate Bodrova.  Kate spent over 10 years as an ESL teacher and language school owner before founding AMAZY, a digital workspace for teachers and institutions to create interactive lessons, track student progress, and keep everything in one place. Backed by UCL EdTech Labs and recognized as Best EdTech Startup in Europe 2024, AMAZY is trusted by 20,000 users worldwide.   In this episode, we chat about: Why looking at your competition is the ultimate trap, and how Kate found market proof on a crowded street filled with language schools. How introducing a proactive, problem-solving method disrupted the traditional, rigid classroom structures of Eastern Europe. The Ultimate "Mom Test" Fail: Why asking customers if they "like" your product is a hollow question, and the specific data you should be tracking instead. Why seven years isn't enough when building from scratch, and how to survive the brutal phase when you are the only one who believes in your product. How chasing "false hopes" and trying to mirror another entrepreneur's specific timeline will quietly kill your product. How saying yes to a massive, multi-city corporate contract forced a 15x scale and triggered a painful but necessary mindset shift. Why you should stop overthinking your idea at home and focus on the single true metric of business success: trying to sell it in the first 30 days.   *Prefer video? Watch the episode on YouTube.   FOR MORE FROM KATE BODROVA:   1. Connect on LinkedIn 2. Check out Amazy   OUR PARTNER: COMMUNICATING FOR IMPACT The Creative House for Leading Educators & Experts.  Amplify your work with high-end video and podcasts that get results. Create impactful videos and podcasts with their programmes and done-for-you production services. Start your series here.    SUPPORT US:

Kelly talks with Philip Guo, creator of Python Tutor, about how the tool helps students trace code and understand programming basics. They also discuss the challenges AI-generated code creates in the classroom and possible ways to support student learning. *Wins of the Week * Philip: Hiring a second undergraduate student for Python Tutor, including one focused on user experience research with K-12 teachers Kelly: Finishing a year of in-person teacher trainings and reflecting on how far the teachers have come *AI, Coding, and Classroom Understanding * Much of the conversation focuses on how AI-generated code affects student learning. Kelly describes using AI code with eighth graders and how difficult it can be for them to understand functions, parameters, returns, and other fundamentals when the code is generated all at once. Philip suggests that tools like Python Tutor may be useful for helping students trace code and understand what is happening behind the scenes. Python Tutor and Possible AI Features Philip explains that Python Tutor currently visualizes execution and has an AI chat feature that can answer questions about code and errors. They discuss possible future features, including simplified AI-generated examples, alternative execution views that show only the lines actually run, and more guided inline help tied to specific code or variables. Oral Explanations and Assessment Kelly describes using a Socratic-style code review with students, where they discuss code aloud in groups. They also talk about using spoken explanations or short oral assessments to check whether students can really explain what code is doing, rather than just copying or prompting AI-generated answers. Broader Research and “Beyond the Desk” Philip briefly discusses a new research direction with a PhD student focused on AI support for work beyond the desk, including physical and embodied tasks in science labs and fieldwork. He says this differs from desk-based AI work and involves activities that are harder for current AI systems to support. **Chapters **0:25 Python Tutor and AI Learning 1:55 Hiring Help for Python Tutor 4:07 Classroom Wins and AI Reflections 6:11 Teaching Code Through Python Tutor 9:03 AI Code and Student Confusion 14:11 Simplifying Execution Traces 17:19 Functions Are the Hard Part 20:25 Keeping Fundamentals in AI Era 24:25 Socratic Seminars for Code 26:27 Voice-Based Code Thinking 29:27 Learning Beyond Lockdown 36:10 Prompting as a New Skill 36:25 Hardware Troubles and NeoPixels 40:15 Beyond the Code Editor 45:01 New Research on Embodied AI 49:12 PyCon and Community Plans 50:42 Teacher Call to ActionSpecial Guest: Philip Guo.

Episode Summary In this episode of The EdTech Podcast, we explore how schools, families and EdTech providers can better support children's wellbeing, inclusion and safety in an increasingly digital world. Louise Dawson shares insights on inclusive education, personalised learning, safeguarding, data protection and the importance of belonging and connection in every learning environment. She highlights how technology can support diverse learners when implemented strategically, with clear policies, strong teacher preparation and a community-wide understanding of digital responsibility. Harrison Parker, Executive Vice President of Linewise, joins the conversation to discuss student wellbeing, screen time, digital distractions, cyberbullying, AI chatbots and the growing challenges schools and parents face in managing children's online lives. He explains how Linewise supports schools and families with tools that help monitor, manage and guide technology use, while reducing friction between children, parents and educators. Together, these conversations explore a vital question for education today: how do we ensure technology empowers learning, protects children and strengthens connection, rather than creating greater risk, distraction or exclusion? Action Items Review and update safeguarding policies to reflect current EdTech use, AI risks and digital wellbeing concerns. Ensure data protection and privacy principles are embedded into EdTech procurement and implementation. Develop a whole-school strategy for technology use that includes inclusion, safeguarding, teaching and learning, and parent engagement. Provide staff training on classroom technology management, digital distractions and emerging AI-related risks. Support parents with practical tools and guidance for managing screen time at home. Create opportunities for families, schools and students to discuss healthy digital habits together. Use data trends to identify early signs of harmful online behaviour, cyberbullying or wellbeing concerns. Embed digital literacy into the curriculum so students understand both the opportunities and risks of technology. Key Topics Digital wellbeing and student safety Inclusive education and personalised learning Safeguarding and data protection in EdTech Screen time management at home and school Digital distractions and classroom management AI chatbots, cyberbullying and emerging online risks Parental involvement in digital safety Technology as a support for diverse learners Teacher preparedness and strategic EdTech implementation Community, belonging and connection in digital education Using data to identify harmful trends and support intervention Collaboration between schools, parents and EdTech providers Guest Names Louise Dawson - Louise Dawson Professional and Management Development Training www.louisedawson.com Harrison Parker, Executive Vice President, Linewise https://www.linkedin.com/in/harrison-parker-02951921  Linewise: https://www.linewize.com/  Key Frameworks and Concepts Universal Design for Learning Data Protection Principles Digital Safeguarding Screen Time Management Digital Literacy Parent-School Partnership AI Risk Awareness Whole-School EdTech Strategy   Chapter Outline 00:00 – Introduction to Inclusive Education and Digital Wellbeing Setting the scene for a conversation about EdTech, inclusion, safeguarding and student safety. 03:06 – The Role of EdTech in Supporting Learning Louise Dawson explores how technology can support diverse learners and enable more personalised learning experiences. 05:48 – Challenges in Implementing Technology in Classrooms Discussion around teacher confidence, strategic planning and the risks of poorly implemented EdTech. 08:36 – Teacher Preparedness and EdTech Integration Why training, clarity and purpose matter when introducing technology into learning environments. 11:23 – Data Protection and Safeguarding in EdTech Exploring the importance of safeguarding, privacy and accountability in digital education. 14:14 – The Importance of Community and Connection Louise reflects on belonging, inclusion and the role of relationships in supporting young people. 17:03 – Navigating Technology Use at Home How schools and families can work together to support healthy technology habits. 20:16 – Introduction to Harrison Parker and Linewise Harrison shares his journey into education and the mission behind Linewise. 23:17 – The Evolution of Technology in Education How classroom technology has changed and what this means for students, teachers and parents. 27:47 – Digital Distractions and Screen Time Challenges Exploring the impact of phones, apps and always-on access on learning and wellbeing. 30:10 – Classroom Management and Technology Integration How schools can manage devices in a way that supports teaching rather than creating friction. 32:23 – Empowering Parents with Technology Why simple, practical parental tools are essential for creating healthier digital boundaries. 34:17 – Positive Trends in Student Behaviour How monitoring and management tools can help reduce harmful events and support earlier intervention. 38:00 – AI, Cyberbullying and Emerging Online Risks The rise of AI-generated harm, voice replication, chatbots and new safeguarding challenges. 43:42 – Future Directions in EdTech and Child Safety The need for collaboration between families, schools, policymakers and technology providers. Resources UAE Law on Digital Safety – https://example.com/uae-digital-safety-law Inclusive Education Strategies – https://amazon.com/inclusive-education-strategies EdTech Safeguarding Guidelines – https://example.com/edtech-safeguarding

Send us Fan MailJoin hosts Ben Kornell and Alex Sarlin as they explore the growing backlash against AI in education, the race to build AI-native learning systems, and the shifting future of edtech, workforce learning, and global education policy.✨ Episode Highlights:[00:02:18] Reflections and takeaways from this year's ASU+GSV Summit [00:05:16] Gen Z backlash against AI grows at college commencements [00:08:06] China's practical AI rollout contrasts with the U.S. race toward AGI [00:15:09] Anthropic and Gates Foundation launch a $200M AI education partnership [00:23:02] Debate over the future and business model of AI tutoring [00:29:25] OpenAI expands its “Education for Countries” initiative [00:37:28] New education tax credits could shift spending power to families [00:42:15] Google, Meta, and Apple push AI glasses and XR learning forward [00:48:40] AI simulations gain traction in workforce training [00:51:06] Multiverse raises $70M for AI-driven workforce upskilling Plus, special guests:[00:55:51] Angel Chung, PhD Candidate at The Wharton School, on proactive AI tutoring systems and new research showing measurable learning gains for students using adaptive AI guidance[01:18:08] David Rogier, Founder and CEO of MasterClass, on AI-powered learning, the future of higher education, and MasterClass Executive — developed alongside OpenAI & Chicago Booth to explore the future of AI-native business education.Learn more here: https://www.masterclass.com/booth-ai

It's the end of an era. For our 50th and final episode of the Tips and Salsa podcast, join hosts Jamie, Caleb, Carly, and Jenn as we look back on nearly a decade of countless memories. Tune in as our team reflects on our journey together, celebrates the massive evolution of educational technology across our district, shares what the future holds for each of us, and gives a final round of special shout-outs. Grab some chips and salsa, sit back, and enjoy this special series finale!

In this episode, I chat with Dr. Gina Tesoriero, a researcher and former middle school special education teacher, about how AI tools like ChatGPT can serve as powerful supports for students with disabilities and neurodiverse learners. You'll also hear findings from her dissertation research on how young adults with special education experiences are already using AI in creative ways, plus the unique ethical considerations that come up when thinking about AI in special education settings. If you want to understand how to approach AI in special education and start thoughtful conversations with students and families about its use, this episode has you covered! Show notes: https://classtechtips.com/2026/05/26/ai-in-special-education-372/ Sponsored by my quick reference guide Using AI Chatbots to Enhance Planning and Instruction: https://amzn.to/42Xzds0 Follow Dr. Gina Tesoriero on social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginatesoriero/ Follow Monica on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/classtechtips/  Take your pick of free EdTech resources: https://classtechtips.com/free-stuff-favorites/   

The ongoing outbreak of hantavirus infections that originated with passengers on the Dutch cruise ship MV Hondius in April has generated concerns across the globe. This very rare occurrence has led to a number of deaths, required quarantining of passengers and prompted emergency responses from public health authorities in multiple countries.  On this episode of Raise the Line from Elsevier, we're tapping the expertise of a leading authority on the subject, Dr. Jamie Childs of Yale University, to provide you with a scientific understanding of hantaviruses and what level of threat is posed by this situation. In short, Dr. Childs believes this is not the start of a pandemic. “The Andes variant involved here is one of the most dangerous hantaviruses, but it is totally controllable with contact tracing.” This timely conversation with host Lindsey Smith is informed by Dr. Childs' decades of hantavirus research as well as learnings from his role leading the CDC's environmental investigation during the landmark 1993 hantavirus outbreak in the Four Corners region of the American Southwest. And be sure to stay tuned to hear his concerns about the factors complicating containment of the current Ebola outbreak in East Africa. Note: this conversation was recorded on May 19th, 2026. Mentioned in this episode: Yale School of Public Health Yale Institute for Global Health If you like this podcast, please share it on your social channels. You can also subscribe to the series and check out all of our episodes at www.osmosis.org/podcast

Send us Fan MailJason Katcher is the Global Education Channel Lead at Superhuman, where he focuses on scaling AI-powered productivity and communication tools across education through strategic partnerships. Previously at Google, Dropbox, and multiple edtech startups, Jason brings deep experience in education technology, AI adoption, and go-to-market strategy.

What happens when a former curriculum director becomes an AI strategist for an entire state? You get the kind of zoomed-out view most of us in education never get to see.In this episode, I welcome back my good friend Karle Delo, AI Strategist at Michigan Virtual, for a real conversation about what's actually working in school districts, what's flopping, and what the secret AI culture in your building probably looks like right now.Karle works with districts across Michigan, helping them build AI guidance, professional learning, and integration plans. She's seen the speedboats, the tugboats, and the anchors. And she's not here to sell you on hype.We get into:→ Why one-and-done AI PD is setting your district up to fail→ The "shadow AI" problem and why pretending it doesn't exist makes it worse→ Why students say AI feedback from teachers feels like a slap in the face→ The AI-slop cycle, where teachers, students, and graders are all just feeding the machine→ The three things every school leader needs to read on a billboard→ Why your authentic voice matters more in 2026 than it ever has→ The one question to ask students that will change how you think about AI in your schoolChapters00:00 Welcome and Sponsors00:56 Meet Carly the AI Strategist07:24 District AI Guidance and Onboarding17:51 Why AI Efforts Succeed or Fail27:05 Avoiding AI Mistakes30:39 Spotting AI Slop36:16 What Students Want47:55 Kryptonite and Wrap UpIf you're a superintendent, CTO, instructional coach, or classroom teacher trying to figure out where to start, where to slow down, or where you might already be off track, this episode is for you.Karle reminds us that you don't need every teacher to be an AI super user. You don't need 20 tools. You need a strategy. You need community. And you need to actually talk to your students.This is the kind of conversation that cuts through the noise and gives you something you can take back to your building on Monday.

In this episode, we sit down with Annie Chechitelli, Chief Product Officer at Turnitin, to unpack one of education's most urgent tensions: how do you preserve genuine learning in an age where AI can write a passable essay in seconds? We go beyond the detector-versus-cheater framing to ask what assessment, academic integrity, and the role of the teacher actually need to look like now.Annie Chechitelli is Chief Product Officer at Turnitin and has spent over 25 years in education technology - from building live online classrooms before Zoom existed, through roles at Blackboard and Amazon, to leading product at Turnitin for the past four years. She's one of the few people who has watched AI go from a quiet API curiosity to a classroom crisis in real time.We cover:- Why Turnitin shifted from detecting cheating to giving educators clarity on how students use AI- The move from summative to formative assessment and what it demands of teachers- How oral assessments, AI simulations, and peer feedback could replace the traditional essay- What it means that 13% of papers submitted globally contain 80% or more AI-generated content- Why Nature Magazine just retracted a major study claiming AI is good for learning- The cognitive shortcut question: what parts of thinking can students safely offload to AI, and what can they not?- Whether "AI literacy" is a meaningful term or just marketing language- Why institutional policy decisions keep going wrong when educators aren't in the roomIf you're a teacher trying to figure out where AI fits in your classroom, a leader shaping institutional policy, or someone who wants an honest conversation about what AI is actually doing to learning, this episode cuts through the noise. Annie doesn't arrive with neat answers. She brings the data, the hard questions, and a genuine commitment to getting this right for students.Chapters00:00 Introductions02:04 Meet Annie Chechitelli, CPO of Turnitin03:29 25 years in EdTech from Wimba to Amazon to Turnitin07:04 Why Annie bet on education technology in 199909:31 What is Turnitin? A plain-language explainer14:24 Essay mills, contract cheating, and the misconduct economy17:12 AI and the shortcut to thinking23:55 Who does Turnitin design for: teachers, students, or admins?27:05 How assessment needs to change in the AI era31:21 Oral defence, AI simulations, and peer feedback at scale36:50 Why the UK is doubling down on exams39:23 From AI detection to Turnitin Clarity44:25 Who decides what counts as misconduct?48:31 The research gap nobody is filling52:34 Nature Magazine retracts its AI learning study54:40 Is "AI literacy" a real term?58:35 Quick-fire questionsFind out more about Turnitin ClarityThanks so much for joining us again for another episode - we appreciate you.Ben & Steve xChampioning those who are making the future of education a reality.Check out all about EdufuturistsGet your tickets for Edufuturists Uprising 2026

In this episode of Teaching Python, Kelly Schuster-Paredes and Julian Sequeira are joined by engineer and maker Todd Kurt to discuss what happens when code leaves the screen and starts interacting with the physical world. The conversation centers on CircuitPython, MicroPython, and physical computing, with a focus on how these tools are used in classrooms and maker projects. Todd explains his background in engineering, web development, and open source hardware, including his work on LED devices and his recent focus on CircuitPython. He describes the differences between CircuitPython and MicroPython, emphasizing that CircuitPython is designed to feel closer to desktop Python and to support teaching, while MicroPython makes more efficiency-focused tradeoffs. The discussion also covers the practical challenges of hardware-based learning. Todd and the hosts talk about bootloaders, UF2 files, board compatibility, library management, and common mistakes such as using the wrong cable, the wrong board file, or wiring power and ground incorrectly. They note that these issues can make hardware feel frustrating, especially for beginners and teachers preparing classroom kits. Kelly and Julian share their classroom experiences, including using preloaded boards, NeoPixels, sensors, and simple student-designed projects. They discuss how hardware can support troubleshooting skills, file-system awareness, and persistence, and why students often engage more when they are building something tangible, such as a sensor-based wearable or a small robot. The episode also includes Todd's stories about early embedded work, including a costly lab mistake, and his involvement in hardware that contributed to space missions. He closes by describing a compact synthesizer project built around a Raspberry Pi Pico and by noting that he shares work through his website and online accounts.Special Guest: Tod Kurt.

Join us as we explore the evolving landscape of education with Ben Whitaker, known as the Ideas Guy. With a background in religious studies and a passion for edtech, Ben dives into the importance of critical thinking, the role of AI, and how technology can transform teaching and learning. This episode offers insights for educators, policymakers, and innovators shaping the future of education. Main Content  Ben Whitaker's journey from religious studies teacher to edtech influencer and co-host of the eduFuturist podcast The evolution of Religious Education (RE) and its discursive, philosophy-based approach that fosters deep discussions How skills like critical thinking and examining multiple viewpoints are vital across different disciplines The origins and development of the eduFuturist podcast, focusing on future education and its broad scope beyond schools The ongoing challenge of educational technology usage: why some teachers still don't use simple tools effectively Debunking the myth that technology in education is less effective than traditional methods The concept of a "wolf pack" in education: collaboration and community as the strength of future learning ecosystems How AI and edtech won't replace teachers but will be embraced by those who adapt to change The importance of balancing knowledge and skills, core and extracurricular activities, and a holistic approach to education Future visions: a "pick-and-mix" model where parents and students have increased control over personalized learning pathways The influence of environment and personalization in student success, emphasizing diverse educational settings Ben's new book, "The Ideas Guy," showcasing insights from influential thinkers to inspire lateral thinking The power of understanding and managing neurodiversity like ADHD in education and the idea of superpowers in unique thinking styles Insights from Ben's international travel, including conferences in Cape Town and Bucharest, and the importance of global community building Upcoming initiatives: eduFuturist awards, regional community building, and ongoing projects to shape future education Track List 00:00 - Introduction to Ben Whitaker and his journey from religious studies teacher to edtech advocate 00:13 - The evolution of Religious Education and its discussion-driven approach 00:50 - The role of critical thinking and diverse viewpoints in teaching and leadership 02:04 - How education's future is shaped by community and collaboration 03:41 - The influence of diverse experiences in edtech, including coaching and speaking engagements 04:03 - The origins of eduFuturist and its focus on future and current educational challenges 06:03 - Why some educators still underutilize simple edtech tools 07:20 - Addressing misconceptions about technology and learning effectiveness 09:07 - The recurring themes and trends in edtech over the past decade 09:46 - The "wolf pack" concept: strength in collective effort in education 10:04 - Edtech's role in replacing or augmenting teachers, and the future of tech adoption 11:12 - Balancing dichotomies in education: knowledge vs skills, core vs extracurricular 11:56 - The concept of a "pick-and-mix" flexible education system 12:23 - How parent-controlled, holistic education models could revolutionize learning 13:06 - The importance of matching schooling environments to individual needs 14:03 - Rethinking traditional schooling and embracing tailored learning pathways 15:18 - Resources and updates: eduFuturist awards, upcoming book, and community initiatives 16:13 - The roadshow's impact and future plans for regional engagement 18:18 - Ben's latest book, "The Ideas Guy," and how it encourages lateral thinking 20:21 - Selecting influential thinkers and learning from diverse perspectives 22:29 - Ben's work beyond edtech in leadership and inclusion, including managing ADHD and neurodiversity 24:10 - The importance of self-understanding and support for neurodiverse learners and educators 26:54 - Framing ADHD as a superpower, tools for managing it, and the journey of self-acceptance 29:38 - Future directions for eduFuturist, community building, and ongoing projects 30:30 - The most inspiring projects and international visits like South Africa and Bucharest 32:47 - How to get involved with the eduFuturist awards and community 33:16 - Final thoughts: the importance of innovation and collaboration in shaping education's future Resources and Links The Ideas Guy Book: theideasguy.io/book Pick n Mix book waitlist: https://www.crownhouse.co.uk/picknmix-education All things Edufuturists: edufuturists.com All things The Ideas Guy: theideasguy.io  

Send us Fan MailJoin host Ben Kornell for a special episode featuring leaders across digital literacy, AI-native schooling, student support, and curriculum innovation in K–12 education.✨ Episode Highlights:[00:02:10] Lisa O'Masta, CEO of Learning.com, on why digital literacy and AI literacy must start in elementary school[00:18:34] Aaron Feuer, CEO and Co-founder of Panorama Education, reflects on building Panorama into a platform serving one in four U.S. students[00:32:34] Larisa Hovannisian, Founder and CEO at Armenia Education Initiative, explains why Armenia is positioned to leapfrog legacy education systems[00:43:50] Alexandra Walsh, Chief Product Officer at Amplify, discusses bringing classroom experience into product leadership

We mark National Mental Health Awareness Month on this episode by tapping the expertise of Dr. Steve Strakowski, an internationally recognized expert in bipolar disorder, who has spent decades studying the neurobiology and treatment of mood conditions while pushing just as hard on the structural barriers that keep effective treatments out of reach for more than half the people who need them. In this conversation with Raise the Line from Elsevier host Michael Carrese, Dr. Strakowski explains why access, not science, is now the biggest obstacle to improving mental health outcomes. He also addresses the heavy toll society pays for underfunding mental health prevention and treatment programs. “The money is spent eventually, but in the most expensive places like emergency rooms and prisons, and there is the human cost of suffering and suicides." This important discussion also covers: The persistent problem of Black patients presenting with mania being misdiagnosed with schizophrenia;  Why he describes bipolar disorder as a reward-processing illness;  The emerging therapies he finds encouraging. Mentioned in this episode:Indiana University School of Medicine If you like this podcast, please share it on your social channels. You can also subscribe to the series and check out all of our episodes at www.osmosis.org/podcast

In this live episode of Class Disrupted, recorded at the ASU + GSV Summit, Netflix founder Reed Hastings joined Michael and Diane again to discuss Reed's decades-long journey through various chapters of education reform culminating in his vision for how AI will profoundly reshape learning and schooling. Reed reflected on the slow progress and setbacksContinue reading "Reed Hastings on What It Will Take for AI to be Different from Other Edtech"

Hello, World!Most education brands know email should be their strongest channel and yet it rarely delivers on its potential. Between inconsistent sends, generic copy, and the pressure to sound “professional,” messages that could build real connection often end up sounding like noise.Email strategist Liz Wilcox joins Elana to share how education organizations can shift from transactional messaging to meaningful communication. She breaks down why simplicity outperforms polish, how to build trust through steady, human touchpoints, and what the best senders are doing differently.She outlines her “follower, friend, customer” framework, a 20-minute approach to writing newsletters that actually get read, and the mindset shift from selling to serving. Liz also explains how a strong onboarding sequence sets the tone for every future interaction—and why owning your mistakes in email can make people trust you more, not less.If you've ever hesitated to hit send or wondered what to say next, this episode will reset how you think about email.What You'll LearnWhy email should be the backbone of your marketing strategy—not an afterthoughtHow to turn your list into a community through consistency and simplicityThe “follower, friend, customer” model for long-term trust and engagementThe 20-minute newsletter framework that makes authentic communication sustainableHow to balance professionalism with personality (and why both matter)Why transparency, even in mistakes, builds loyalty faster than polishQuick Wins from the Lightning RoundShort, conversational subject lines outperform everything elseThe best send time is whenever you'll actually send—consistency matters mostAlways use a P.S., it's prime real estateKeep stories short and usefulStop overcomplicating; simple emails build trust fasterWhy It MattersThe difference between noise and connection isn't design or frequency; it's trust. Liz reminds us that effective email marketing comes from showing up consistently, sounding like a real person, and making every message worth opening. When we stop chasing perfection and start focusing on relationships, email becomes less of a tactic and more of a long-term advantage.

What if the missing ingredient in your classroom isn't a new tool, a new curriculum, or another PD session, but curiosity itself?In this episode, I sit down with Olivia Odileke, founder of Spark Curiosity EDU, Education Week contributor, and creator of the Spark Curiosity GPT Coach. Olivia brings an industrial engineering background into the world of education, and her perspective on how we teach, how we evaluate, and how we use AI in classrooms is one you don't want to miss.We get into why so many teachers are burning out trying to cover the curriculum instead of letting students uncover it. Olivia shares her seven-minute teacher talk rule, her Spark Task method with multiple entry points for every learner, and the powerful idea that the smallest unit of school improvement is a teacher who feels psychologically safe to try something new.We also dig into AI in the classroom and how Olivia is using it to amplify student thinking, not replace it. From the Spark Curiosity GPT Coach to her Fearless Educator Radio project with 100+ AI-generated songs for educators, Olivia is showing what it looks like when teachers use AI as a thought partner instead of an answer machine.Plus, get all the details on the Spark Curiosity Conference, July 31 to August 2, 2026 in Austin, Texas, where Olivia and her team are modeling what a curious classroom can actually feel like.Chapters00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro02:38 Olivia's Path to Inquiry10:00 Engineering Mindset in Teaching14:05 Seeing Students and Sparking Curiosity34:26 Fail Forward Culture39:04 Spark Curiosity GPT Coach45:27 Curiosity With AI49:26 Conference And ClosingConnect with Olivia:

In this episode, I share how to use AI tools to quickly create classroom infographics that make complex information easier for students to understand. You'll also hear about specific tools, practical prompt examples, and tips for designing visuals that align with your students' needs. If you want to save time while creating engaging, student-friendly visuals, this episode has you covered! Show notes: https://classtechtips.com/2026/05/19/classroom-infographics-371/ Sponsored by my quick reference guide Using AI Chatbots to Enhance Planning and Instruction: https://amzn.to/42Xzds0 Follow Monica on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/classtechtips/  Take your pick of free EdTech resources: https://classtechtips.com/free-stuff-favorites/   

Send us Fan MailKumar Garg is the President of Renaissance Philanthropy, where he leads thesis-driven philanthropic funds focused on major global challenges. Previously, he worked in the Obama White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and helped build Eric Schmidt's science and tech initiatives.

"When the workforce does not align with the population, your system is misaligned by design." That candid observation comes from Tina Loarte-Rodríguez, DP, RN who has spent much of her two decade career in patient safety, risk management, and systems leadership as the only Latina in the room, which she sees as a signal of a systemic failure that demands structural solutions. As we mark National Nurses Month, Dr. Loarte-Rodríguez joins Raise the Line from Elsevier  host Lindsey Smith to explain why a culturally congruent workforce has important implications for access, trust and quality of care. This wide-ranging discussion also covers: What Dr. Loarte-Rodriguez means by "narrative infrastructure" and how a book series born during COVID is now shaping workforce conversations nationwide;   The case for making mentorship a core institutional system;   Why nursing burnout is not about a lack of resiliency.  Mentioned in this episode: Latinas in NursingThe Connecticut Center for Nursing Workforce If you like this podcast, please share it on your social channels. You can also subscribe to the series and check out all of our episodes at www.osmosis.org/podcast

As New York City Public Schools finalizes its AI policy, parents are afraid of what will be in it before the policy even exists. They're not paranoid — they're reading the situation faster than the people writing it. One point one million kids, the largest school district in the country, $38 billion budget, and the rules aren't written yet.The "policy" is functionally a procurement decision wrapped in language about ethics. Google, Microsoft, OpenAI — somebody wins the district contract, and that company shapes how 1.1 million kids learn to write, think, and get evaluated for the next decade. Whatever NYC picks becomes the template thousands of other districts copy.Parents aren't afraid of chatbots in classrooms. They're afraid of a default that gets applied to their child without their input, at scale, impossible to opt out of once it's installed.Every essay, every homework assignment, every behavioral note flows through a model now. Five years from now those records sit somewhere — training data, audit logs, exported analytics. The kids don't know. The parents weren't told. The policy will mention it in a footnote.The compliance team isn't optimizing for the child. They're optimizing for the lawsuit that hasn't been filed yet.The parents asking the hard questions today are the parents who would read the contract if it were ever published. Most NYC families won't. Some won't even hear it exists. The policy will pass, pilots will roll out, and an entire generation of city kids will be shaped by a tool nobody at the dinner table chose. That's not a school story. That's a class story wearing a school's uniform.⏱️ Chapters0:00 — Why parents are afraid before the policy exists0:25 — MiniDoge: the policy is a buying decision, not a rulebook0:50 — Saarvis: the real fear is a default they didn't pick1:15 — Nyx: every essay and grade now flows through a model1:45 — HH: written for the lawsuit, not for the child2:00 — Saarvis: a class story wearing a school's uniform⚡ Learn agentic ai free - https://staas.fund/ai-workshop ⚡-----

**WELSTech 776 – Wholly Unauthorized** What happens when you feed years of podcast transcripts into an AI and ask it to roast your guests? Episode 776, that's what. Martin and Sallie are joined once again by their favorite EdTech duo — Dr. Rachel Renno (Martin Luther College) and Jason Schmidt (Oshkosh ISD) — but this time, the agenda was set by Claude. Using OpenAI's Whisper to transcribe 15+ episodes of past conversations, the team fed the archive into an AI chatbot and let it build a retrospective of Jason and Rachel's greatest hits, boldest predictions, and most quotable moments. With the snark meter turned up just a little, the results did not disappoint. On the docket: the "Don't Quote Me on That" Award, the Evolution Arc (how two tech enthusiasts slowly became tech realists), a lightning round neither host was fully prepared for, and the phrase that should be cross-stitched on a pillow — courtesy of Jason Schmidt. Also in this episode: MLC and WLS graduation and assignment season is here — find out how to watch the livestreams. Picks of the week include Apple's built-in iOS Password app (and its Chrome extension), the Privacy virtual card service, Google Flow Music, and OpenAI Whisper. Community feedback covers Wisconsin Act 89 and what school communication compliance means for WELS schools — including a look at ParentSquare, Talking Points, ClassDojo, and more. A love letter to longtime listeners. A mild roast of two very good sports. And proof that the archive has been listening all along.

Join Tess Michaels, Founder and CEO of Clasp, for a strategic discussion on solving one of the most critical crises in modern infrastructure: the healthcare staffing shortage. With a high-octane background in healthcare investment banking at Goldman Sachs and private equity at Vista Equity Partners, Tess is applying institutional-grade financial logic to a human problem. In this episode, we explore how Clasp is moving the needle from "Turnover to Tenure" by connecting employers with clinicians before graduation and utilizing student loan repayment as a structural retention tool.

In this episode, I share fun and engaging first day of summer activities for classroom celebrations, from interactive music activities to AI-generated designs. You'll also hear creative ideas like virtual summer trips, student goal-setting with digital tools, and storytelling with emojis. If you want to bring excitement, reflection, and EdTech-powered creativity into your lessons, this episode is for you! Show notes: https://classtechtips.com/2026/05/12/first-day-of-summer-activities-for-classroom-370/ Sponsored by my quick reference guide Using AI Chatbots to Enhance Planning and Instruction: https://amzn.to/42Xzds0 Follow Monica on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/classtechtips/  Take your pick of free EdTech resources: https://classtechtips.com/free-stuff-favorites/   

In this thought-provoking episode, Jed welcomes Priten Soundar Shah, author of Ethical Ed Tech, to explore how schools can make wiser choices about technology in the classroom. Drawing on his background in philosophy, policy, classroom teaching, and ed tech development, Priten explains that we've let the tools drive our decisions instead of starting with the core question: What do we really want for our students? He and Jed talk about the mixed results of laptops and AI in schools, and how test scores haven't magically improved just because districts spent more on devices. Priten shares how the pandemic exposed huge gaps in tech training for teachers and how we're still trying to catch up—now with AI changing almost weekly. He emphasizes the importance of ethical decision-making, balancing academic gains with students' social and emotional well-being, and grappling with tough questions like who should control children's data and how much privacy we're willing to trade for technological benefits. His book aims to give educators, leaders, and parents a shared ethical vocabulary so they can move beyond buzzwords and sales pitches to make thoughtful, context-specific choices. Later in the episode, Jed talks with Bobbi Guirl, debut author of Lily's Big Question. Inspired by her own childhood loss and being raised by a devoted single father, Bobbi's book offers children a tender story about grief, community, and the powerful presence of fathers—especially Black fathers who are too often misrepresented. She and Jed discuss representation, healing through storytelling, and using picture books to spark big family conversations about feelings, difference, and resilience.

There are many tech tools making their way into kids' classrooms: Chromebooks and iPads, Canvas and Powerschool, ChatGPT and Claude. Is that a good thing? Depends on who you ask. Some states are passing laws to limit in-school screen time. Rep. Angela Arsenault, a Democrat from Williston, supports these measures, saying Vermont should better regulate the use of tech like chatbots and smartphones in schools. Providing the tech perspective is Sara Kloek, vice president of education policy at the Software & Information Industry Association, a non-profit that represents the interests of EdTech companies. Educators Michael Berry, director of curriculum and technology for the Montpelier Roxbury Public Schools, and Brian Burgess, a speech pathologist at Harwood Union Middle and High School, also provided insight.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Alexis sits down with Joey Palmer, a school administrator in the Treasure Valley (larger Boise area in Idaho), who's taking a different approach to technology in the classroom. This isn't about being anti-tech—it's about asking better questions: When does technology actually improve learning, and when does it get in the way?Joey shares how his district is shifting from tech as the default to tech as a tool, one that should be purposeful, powerful, and proportional. We talk about No-Tech Days, bell-to-bell phone expectations, and the return of more analog learning like paper drafting, face-to-face discussion, printed reading, and hands-on problem solving.We also get into what classroom observations revealed about off-task device use, the mixed research behind EdTech programs, and the growing tension between reducing screen dependence while also preparing students for a future shaped by AI.What stands out most about Joey is not just his willingness to challenge conventional thinking, but his openness to rethink his own ideas, engage perspectives that push him, and keep learning. This conversation is for educators, parents, and policymakers thinking seriously about the role of technology in schools.Find Alexis on Instagram and JOIN in the conversation: https://www.instagram.com/the_idaho_lady/JOIN the convo on Substack & STAY up-to-date with emails and posts https://substack.com/@theidaholady?r=5katbx&utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-pageSend Alexis an email with guest requests, ideas, or potential collaboration.email@thealexismorgan.comFind great resources, info on school communities, and other current projects regarding public policy:https://www.thealexismorgan.com

Class Size Matters/Parent Coalition for Student Privacy, Critique of the NYC AI Guidance; https://classsizematters.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Detailed-critique-of-AI-guidance-final-4.25.26.pdf NBC News, Los Angeles becomes the first major school district to require screen time limits; https://www.nbcnews.com/news/education/los-angeles-school-district-require-screen-time-limits-rcna332173  K12 Dive; LAUSD imposes screen time limits starting in 2026-27; https://www.k12dive.com/news/lausd-imposes-screen-time-limits-starting-in-2026-27/818224/ Schools Beyond Screens website, https://www.schoolsbeyondscreens.com/ Student Tech Bill of Rights,  https://www.schoolsbeyondscreens.com/student-tech-bill-of-rights

Send us Fan MailStephen Jull is the Global Head of AI and Educational Technology at Teach For All, leading efforts to connect educators with frontier AI labs. He's joined by Maruf Hasan, a Bangladesh-based educator building AI tools in low-resource settings, and Sean McWeeney, a UK teacher focused on AI's impact in high-need schools.

When parents log into Canvas, they expect homework assignments and grades — not ransom notes.In this urgent episode, I spoke with attorney Andrew Liddell about the massive alleged breach involving Instructure and its learning management platform, Canvas, reportedly affecting thousands of schools and millions of students, teachers, and college faculty worldwide.Here's a full list of the 8,000+ schools which were affected.Andy breaks down:What Canvas is and why it's used in so many schoolsHow enormous amounts of student data are collected and sharedWhat allegedly happened in the breachWhy hackers targeted this informationWhat exposed school data could mean for families long-termWhy schools are becoming “soft targets” for cyberattacksWhat parents should do right now if their child's school uses CanvasThe conversation also goes beyond this single breach and explores a larger question: Have schools quietly normalized mass surveillance of children through EdTech?Andy explains why privacy isn't just about secrecy — it's about childhood itself.“Privacy is the soil in which we grow.”This episode is essential listening for parents, teachers, school administrators, and anyone concerned about the growing role of Big Tech in education.Contact Andy's team at edtech.law to find out more about this lawsuit and others. Here's a direct link to their lawsuit against Instructure.

AI can write your design doc. It can build your storyboard. It can draft your script, your rubric, your assessment, your video outline, and half of your e-learning module before lunch. So what's left for the instructional designer?According to Jonathan De La Cruz, everything that actually matters.Jonathan is an instructional designer at a supply chain company and at a Plano, Texas startup building an AI-assisted learning management system. But before all of that, he was a music educator. He worked at DePauw University and Indiana University. He played mariachi on weekends, jazz combos, cathedral gigs, Costa Rican punk reggae, full symphonies. He didn't know "instructional designer" was a job title. He just knew he loved video editing, building websites, and figuring out how learning actually happens.In this conversation, Jonathan and I talk about the parts of instructional design AI is genuinely making faster and the parts no model will ever touch. The language you use when you collaborate. The way you receive feedback. The relationships you build before you ever press record on a training. The reason someone will or won't watch what you built.Jonathan also breaks down the custom AI agent he trained on his reviewers' feedback patterns to cut his iteration cycles from version 5 down to version 2. He shares how he manages a tech stack that includes Articulate, Camtasia, Arcade, Figma Make, Claude Code, Gemini, NotebookLM, and Perplexity, and why he just bought a Claude Code membership last week.If you're an instructional designer wondering where you still fit, an educator thinking about transitioning into ID, or anyone trying to figure out what the human in the loop actually does, this episode is for you.

In this episode, I chat with Charlie Huynh, Director of Teaching and Learning for OneSchool Global's North American region, about building a Learning to Learn framework that helps students take full accountability for their own learning. You'll also hear how extended learning programs like the Perfect Pitch Competition connect students across borders, how families and community members are woven in as authentic audiences, and how thoughtful curriculum design keeps both consistency and local flexibility in play. If you want ideas for scaling collaboration, embedding inclusivity, and giving students a real-world "why" for their learning, this episode has you covered! Show notes: https://classtechtips.com/2026/05/08/tips-for-connecting-classrooms-bonus/ Sponsored by OneSchool Global: https://oneschoolglobal.com Follow Monica on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/classtechtips/  Take your pick of free EdTech resources: https://classtechtips.com/free-stuff-favorites/   

#325 Unlocking the Power of Classroom Cloud: The Ultimate EdTech Solution for Schools   Most schools are struggling to keep students safe, engaged, and focused — but what if the right tech could change that? classroom.cloud is transforming classrooms worldwide with a platform that streamlines management, boosts safeguarding, and empowers teachers like never before. In this episode, educators and IT leaders reveal how this innovative tool is saving time, enhancing safety, and boosting student accountability, all while reducing paper waste and administrative overload. Discover how classroom.cloud's rapid deployment process gets lessons started in just three clicks, eliminating tedious log-ins and setup delays. We break down its powerful safeguarding features, including real-time keyword detection in multiple languages, AI-driven risk analysis, and evidence documentation with screenshots and recordings. Learn how these safety tools help teachers monitor and protect neurodiverse students, manage offline content, and respond swiftly to online risks—all seamlessly integrated into existing school ecosystems. You'll hear insights from educators across the globe sharing practical tips: how the platform simplifies onboarding, enhances remote and hybrid learning, and improves overall classroom flow. Topics include its user-friendly interface, robust safeguarding protocols, compatibility with major platforms like Google and Office 365, and its ability to generate detailed reports for leadership and safeguarding teams. Plus, explore future opportunities—like integrating AI feedback loops, developing real-time student-teacher interactions, and enhancing features for digital responsibility and student transparency. Why is it crucial to have a tool that adapts to diverse school environments, from managing BYOD policies to safeguarding across multiple languages? Because every minute saved and every risk mitigated means more focus on what truly matters—quality teaching and safe, inclusive learning. Schools that don't leverage such platforms risk falling behind in safety, efficiency, and engagement. This episode is perfect for school leaders, teachers, and IT professionals eager to cut workload, bolster safeguarding, and create dynamic, tech-powered classrooms. Whether you're considering your first edtech investment or seeking to upgrade your existing systems, the insights shared here will help you make an informed, impactful decision. Join us to explore how classroom.cloud is shaping the future of education—streamlined, safe, and ready for tomorrow's learners. Resources & Links: Classroom Cloud Official Website Google Workspace for Education Microsoft Education Tools NetSupport DNA ISTE Standards for Education Technology  Connect with the Experts: Al Kingsley Jerome Nogues Allison Harridge Chrish Dias Aarifa Gora Amjad Suhail Aziz Gnei Shahira Ousman

The doctor is in....the box.  That's one way to describe how patients are now encountering their physicians in what's being described as the future of telehealth. Imagine that instead of a cancer patient in a rural area driving hours for an appointment to see their specialist at an academic health center, they can go to their local clinic and see a life-size, real-time, 3-D projection of them in a seven foot tall light box.  The doctor can see the patient through two-way video, and is assisted by a clinician in the exam room. The technology behind this remarkable scene is provided by a Los Angeles based start-up called Proto Hologram, whose founder and chairman, David Nussbaum, joins us on this episode of Raise the Line from Elsevier. "Our holograms start where Zoom ends and where physically being there begins," says Nussbaum, a TIME Healthcare100 honoree who has spent the last decade developing commercial and educational applications for holograms.  In addition to clinical settings, Proto units are being used at medical schools and senior living facilities and are playing a role in public health campaigns about breast cancer and vaccines. Join host Lindsey Smith for a fascinating conversation that covers: The role of holograms in extending access to specialty care; How the technology could be used to combat loneliness among seniors; Nussbaum's philosophy of "commercializing the impossible". Mentioned in this episode: Proto Hologram If you like this podcast, please share it on your social channels. You can also subscribe to the series and check out all of our episodes at www.osmosis.org/podcast

It wasn't long ago that I was in my classroom earning acceptance into the Pear Deck program to help create a gamified learning experience. In that process I met someone with immense passion and determination when it came to following one's dream.Meet Amber, the once educator now wearing purple and hanging with all the cool kids over at MagicSchool AI. She is also a wealth of knowledge when it comes to the ed tech game!So join us this week as we get to know more about Amber AND of course why she is sometimes referred to as the snack lady.You can follow Amber on Instagram:@amberedtech

In this week's episode of The Learning Curve, co-hosts Prof. Albert Cheng of the University of Arkansas and the Center for Strong Public Schools' Alisha Searcy speak with Julie Young, edupreneur, innovator, and author of Say Yes! How Virtual Became Reality. She reflects on the pivotal moment in 1997 when she said “yes” to launching Florida Virtual School, sharing what it meant to build a new model of education from the ground up with limited resources and bold vision. Young draws a clear distinction between emergency remote learning and higher-quality virtual education, explaining how confusion between the two during the pandemic negatively impacted students. She discusses early leadership lessons, including guidance from then-Governor Jeb Bush, and what it took to scale a model centered on “any time, any place, any path, any pace.” Young also explores how she built a dynamic organizational culture amid skepticism, and what lessons she carried—and intentionally left behind—when founding ASU Prep Digital. She offers insights on staffing innovation, leadership, and the opportunities and challenges AI presents for the future of education. In closing, she reads a passage from Say Yes!: How Virtual Became Reality.

In this episode of Conceptually Speaking, I sit down with Dr. Al Filreis, the Kelly Professor at the University of Pennsylvania, faculty director of the Kelly Writers House, and the creator of ModPo—a free massive open online course about experimental poetry that has drawn some 435,000 students from 179 countries. Our conversation, anchored in his recent book The Classroom and the Crowd: Poetry and the Promise of Digital Community, explores how ModPo became a genuinely thriving pedagogical community in a landscape of ghost-town MOOCs, and what that achievement reveals about the relationship between open texts, open platforms, and democratic forms of teaching and learning.Key Concepts from the Episode:Openness as PedagogyThe reciprocal relationship between open texts, open forums, and open-ended interpretationWhy poems that resist settled meaning are better vehicles for democratic learning than poems with knowable answersHow communal interpretation can be deepened rather than diluted by scale when the pedagogical architecture supports itThe Affordances of PoetryThe idea that a poem is not fully a poem until it is received, read, and responded to in communityHow the individualist architecture of higher education — grades, degrees, career pipelines — works against the communitarian impulse that makes reading meaningfulWhy poetry's perceived marginality makes it an ideal site for reimagining what education can beAgainst Technological DeterminismRejecting both EdTech's promise that platforms will save education and the moral panic that says we need to unplug entirelyThe access question that gets erased by anti-digital backlash: for whom is unplugging even an option?What it means to insist on a utopian digital pedagogy without being naive about the platforms that host itThe conversation makes a compelling case that progressive digital pedagogy is not a contradiction in terms. At a moment when both the EdTech industry and its loudest critics seem to foreclose the possibility of deep, humanistic learning online, Al's work with ModPo stands as a living counterexample. His conviction that poetry only matters when people read it together, and that digital platforms can be sites for that togetherness, left me feeling genuinely inspired about what teaching with and through technology can still look like.Check out more of Al's work here: The Classroom and the Crowd ModPo PennSound Kelly Writers HouseSupport the show

Catherine Price returns to the podcast to talk about one of the biggest challenges facing parents today: how to help kids build a healthier relationship with screens. Drawing from her new book, The Amazing Generation (co-authored with Jonathan Haidt), this conversation explores how to move from power struggles and fear-based messaging to approaches that build insight, agency, and real buy-in from kids themselves.   Together, we explore:   Why simply telling kids to "get off screens" often backfires. What kids are actually getting from screens (and what they're missing). How to explain to kids that tech companies are designed to capture attention in a way that makes them feel empowered. Why "real world" experiences are critical for development and how screens can crowd them out. Practical ways to support connection and independence without defaulting to smartphones. How to have conversations about screens that don't lead to shutdown or conflict. Simple shifts that can help your child become more aware, reflective, and intentional with technology. Why building a full, engaging life offline naturally reduces screen time.   This conversation is about more than just screen time. It's about helping kids develop the awareness, confidence, and agency to make choices that align with the kind of life they actually want to live, and how we, as parents, can support that process.       LEARN MORE ABOUT MY GUEST:

In this episode, I welcome back Suzanne Dailey, instructional coach, and introduce Robert Dunlop, middle school classroom teacher—coauthors of You've Got This: Finding Happiness and Success in Your First Years of Teaching. You'll hear practical strategies for supporting new teachers through classroom management, routines, relationship-building, and tech habits that reduce stress instead of adding to it. If you want clear, compassionate guidance for supporting new teachers as they build confidence and sustainable success, this episode has you covered! Show notes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Hn83DBJq7eLQ4UXZz9RePaYvCeLi5dqcGTwXmnfI17s/edit?tab=t.0 Sponsored by my quick reference guide Using AI Chatbots to Enhance Planning and Instruction: https://amzn.to/42Xzds0 Follow Suzanne Dailey on social: https://x.com/DaileySuzanne Follow Robert Dunlop on social: https://x.com/robdunlopEDU Follow Monica on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/classtechtips/  Take your pick of free EdTech resources: https://classtechtips.com/free-stuff-favorites/   

In this special edition of Trending in Education, former colleagues reunite as Mike Palmer interviews Lorin Thomas-Tavel, the CEO of BrainPOP. We explore the evolution of a major brand in EdTech and discuss how it continues to simplify complex topics for students and teachers alike. We dive into the 27-year history of BrainPOP, which began when a doctor created animated content to help young patients understand their own bodies. Today, the platform serves as a trusted companion for teachers in K-8 classrooms, focusing on sense-making during complicated times. We discuss the unique parasocial bond children and adults share with iconic characters like Tim and Moby, and why human-led storytelling continues to power the magic of the product. We also celebrate AI Literacy Day by talking about BrainPOP's work on AI literacy. Lorin explains how they partnered with Digital Promise to adopt a rigorous framework that focuses on understanding, evaluating, and using AI. We discuss why AI is an additive tool rather than a replacement for the human teacher in the classroom. The conversation touches on BrainPOP's partnership with Kirkbi, the private holding and investment arm of LEGO, and how this collaboration energizes their mission of digital play and impact. Lorin also shares leadership insights on "even over" prioritization, the 10x power of cultural fit, and her recognition as an honoree with the Power of Women at the ASU+GSV conference. Time Stamps: 00:00: Intro and a Kaplan Reunion 03:00: The History and Mission of BrainPOP 04:45: Character Pedagogy and the Power of Moby 08:50: Launching the AI Literacy Collection with Digital Promise 13:45: The Lego Partnership and Digital Play 16:45: Integrating AI While Maximizing the Human Element 19:45: ASU+GSV and the Power of Women Recognition 21:40: Career Advice on Mentorship and the Courage to Ask 23:45: Building Culture and Using Even Overs for Focus 28:30: Final Takeaways on Curiosity and Community Like, follow, and subscribe to Trending in Ed with Mike Palmer wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss an episode like this one.

In this episode, I welcome back Tim Needles, STEAM teacher, K–12 Technology Integration Specialist, and ISTE author, to explore the intersection of art, technology and student voice in the classroom. You'll also hear why concepts should drive tool selection, how digital tools democratize creativity, and ways technology supports faster iteration, critique, and reflection. If you want practical strategies for using tech to amplify student storytelling and advocacy without losing the heart of the creative process, this episode has you covered! Show notes: https://classtechtips.com/2026/05/01/technology-and-student-voice-bonus/ Sponsored by Jotform: http://jotform.com/enterprise/education/ Follow Tim Needles on social: https://x.com/timneedles Follow Monica on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/classtechtips/  Take your pick of free EdTech resources: https://classtechtips.com/free-stuff-favorites/   

Nick Bostrom once compared our pursuit of superintelligence to mice trying to domesticate an owl. The most recent news concerning Anthropic's Mythos strikes a little too close to home. Yet not all tech news is so grim: Is Apple's Neo laptop the ed tech solution we've been waiting for? We also dive into a parent question concerning how much time is too much on tech in a day.Show Notes: https://bit.ly/4ukazzv 

In this episode, I share how AI can help teachers tackle time-consuming tasks and reclaim valuable time during the school day. You'll also hear practical examples for using AI to format materials, draft lesson plans, and organize resources more efficiently. If you want to save time while staying focused on what matters most for your students, this episode has you covered! Show notes: https://classtechtips.com/2026/04/28/ways-to-use-ai-368/ Sponsored by my new ASCD deck of cards, Purposeful EdTech Tips: https://ClassTechTips.com/cards Follow Monica on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/classtechtips/  Take your pick of free EdTech resources: https://classtechtips.com/free-stuff-favorites/