I’m joined by Derek Tranchina, creator of TrafficLiteEdu, to unpack one of the biggest challenges schools are facing right now: not whether to use AI, but how to use it well. The real issue isn’t the tools—it’s the confusion around expectations, boundaries, and purpose.

Derek shares how the TrafficLiteEdu framework helps schools bring clarity to AI use through a simple, practical approach—giving educators and students a shared language for what’s acceptable, what’s not, and what falls somewhere in between.

If your school is struggling with mixed messages, inconsistent policies, or hesitation around AI, this conversation will help you cut through the noise and focus on what actually matters.

Because in the end, it’s not about banning or embracing AI—it’s about being clear.

From the early days of a single classroom computer to today's globally connected learning environments, technology has steadily expanded our ability to connect students, educators, ideas, and opportunities. Chris challenges listeners to think critically about how connection—not just devices—will influence the next generation of learning experiences. The episode invites educators to reflect on how they can intentionally design more connected classrooms, communities, and learning networks in 2026 and beyond.

The Evolution of EdTech

Education technology has changed dramatically over the years.

What Connectedness Really Means

Connectedness in education goes beyond Wi-Fi and devices.

Technology as a Bridge

Rather than replacing traditional learning experiences, technology can serve as a bridge, connecting learners to knowledge, people, and perspectives that were previously out of reach.

Why This Matters for Educators

As technology continues to evolve, educators face an important challenge:

Are we using technology simply because it exists, or are we using it to create meaningful connections?

Final Reflection

Chris encourages listeners to reflect on their own classrooms and ask:

1. How connected are my students to the world around them?
2. How connected am I to other educators?
3. How can technology strengthen learning relationships?

#EdTech Thought: Shrinking the Engagement Gap

The episode tackles the growing disconnect between students’ highly interactive digital lives outside of school and the passive digital experiences they often encounter in classrooms.

Chris challenges the idea that more screen time equals more engagement and introduces the 80/20 Producer Strategy:

1. For every 80% of the time students spend consuming information
2. Ensure at least 20% is spent creating something with value beyond the gradebook

The core message:

Engagement in 2026 isn’t about flashy tools. It’s about student agency. When students create, design, build, and solve real problems, the engagement gap begins to close.

Six Tools to Level Up in 2026

#1 Mote — Rethinking Feedback

Feedback is essential but time-consuming. Mote allows educators to leave quick voice comments directly inside Google Docs, Slides, and LMS platforms.

Why it matters:

1. Faster than typing
2. More personal and human
3. Accessible through audio + transcription

Level-Up Question:

Where in your workflow could your voice be more effective than your keyboard?

#2 FigJam — Making Thinking Visible

FigJam is a collaborative digital whiteboard that turns learning into an active, visible process.

Use it to:

1. Brainstorm and organize ideas
2. Capture student thinking in real time
3. Support collaboration for both synchronous and asynchronous work

Level-Up Question:

How often do students visually share their thinking before submitting a final product?

#3 Canva — Creativity That Communicates

Canva has evolved into a full creation and communication platform, allowing students to demonstrate learning visually and professionally.

Classroom possibilities include:

1. Infographics and explainer visuals
2. Digital portfolios
3. Ethical media creation and storytelling

Level-Up Question:

Are students creating content — or just consuming it?

#4 Curipod, Pear Deck & Nearpod — Real-Time Engagement

These tools transform traditional presentations into interactive learning experiences through polls, questions, and formative checks.

Why they work:

1. Immediate insight into student understanding
2. No extra grading
3. Increased accountability without pressure

Level-Up Question:

How often do you pause mid-lesson to see what students understand right now?

#5 Google Keep — Simple Organization That Works

Google Keep acts as a lightweight, flexible system for managing ideas, tasks, and reminders across devices.

Great for:

1. Capturing lesson ideas on the go
2. Creating to-do lists
3. Sharing notes with colleagues

Level-Up Question:

Where could a simple system reduce mental clutter and free up focus for teaching?

#6 Padlet — Amplifying Every Student Voice

Padlet creates flexible digital spaces where all students can contribute ideas, questions, and reflections.

Use Padlet for:

1. Brainstorming and exit tickets
2. Backchannel discussions
3. Collaborative research and planning

Level-Up Question:

How often do all students get to contribute at the same time in a visible way?

What’s Next

Chris also shares updates on:

1. A 30-Days to Launch a Podcast short-form video series
2. The launch of SatCast, a new community-focused podcast project

I focused on a common trap in education: waiting for the "right time" to change practice.

New semesters, new marking periods, or new years often feel like the natural moment to reset. But great technology integration doesn't follow a calendar. It happens incrementally, through reflection, experimentation, and iteration, even when the school year feels messy and unfinished.

The takeaway is simple but powerful: You don't need permission from the calendar to teach differently tomorrow than you did today.

This year's SmackDown features a wide range of tools and ideas, spanning AI, creativity, productivity, assessment, and wellness.

Chris's Recommendations

• Raina AI introduces creative ways to support studying and student engagement, including the concept of "Brain Rot" videos.
• Genially for interactive and gamified learning experiences.
• 123Apps as an all-in-one media creation toolkit.
• Chronicling America from the Library of Congress for primary source research.
• ICE - https://icemenubar.app/
• Latest - https://max.codes/latest/
• Rocket - https://matthewpalmer.net/rocket/

• Beat the Computer (shared by Stephanie Howell) helps students improve writing by focusing on feedback and revision rather than replacement.

• Gemini is highlighted as a tools for educators, including writing Google Apps Scripts to automate workflows (Dan Gallagher).

• Brisk Teaching and custom GPTs (shared by Dr. Dan Kreiness) demonstrate how AI can support instruction without removing teacher agency.

• Brainfreeze AI (Matt Miller) allows educators to build their own AI agents for classroom use.

• Canva Code and ongoing innovation within Microsoft 365 (Martin Byford).

• QuickTales (Batsheva Frankel), which blends audio storytelling with formative assessment.

• Adobe Express animations and digital signage workflows (Brian Carpenter).

• Wayground (Quizizz) for video-based instruction and AI-supported grading (Rebecca Autry).

• Desmos / Amplify phonics review tools (Linda Hummer).

No SmackDown episode would be complete without Derek Larson, who once again delivers a rapid-fire breakdown of tools and ideas educators should know about.

This year's highlights include:

• Google Keep for organization and workflow

• StoryGraph for reading and reflection

• Instapaper for managing long-form content

• Teaching AI across multiple content areas

• Health and wellness apps like Capsule, Easy Fast, and Sleep++

Derek's segment reinforces an important theme of the episode: productivity and wellness tools matter just as much as classroom tools.

You can explore Derek's curated archive of recommendations at https://appsmackdown.com

The episode closes with the House of #EdTech VIP segment — and once again, the VIP is YOU the listener.

I reflect on the fact that this podcast exists because educators are willing to share, contribute, and support one another. The SmackDown isn't just an episode; it's a snapshot of a professional community learning together.

You will gain insights into the AI tipping point, practical classroom applications, real risks (including equity, bias, privacy, and the loss of human connection), and how teachers can lead responsibly through this transformation. The episode also includes a timely #EdTech Recommendation highlighting Google Chrome's live caption and translation features, and an invitation to participate in the 2025 EdTech SmackDown, the annual listener-powered finale of the show.

• #EdTech Thought: The AI tipping point: Why AI in education is no longer "next" but "now."

• How educators are using generative AI for planning, differentiation, and feedback.

• Examples of AI tools supporting English language learners and accessibility.

• Major risks of AI in schools — equity, bias, privacy, and the human factor.

• How to lead responsibly with AI in your classroom or district:

  • Build your AI literacy

  • Put pedagogy before technology

  • Model ethical transparency

  • Advocate for clear district policies

  • Share both wins and failures

  
  

• #EdTech Recommendation: Google Chrome's Live Caption & Translate feature.

• House of #EdTech Episode 246 – The Harms of Generative AI featuring Tom Mullaney

This reflective episode offers both inspiration and practical strategies for making learning more personal, purposeful, and people-centered — with technology as the support, not the driver.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Why education matters beyond technology

• "Education is the great equalizer" — unpacking what that really means

• Educated by Tara Westover: A must-read memoir about resilience and learning

• The real power of learning: curiosity, connection, and contribution

• Historical examples of education changing lives (Malala, GI Bill)

• Practical tips for meaningful teaching in a tech-driven world

5 Practical Takeaways:

1. Focus on relationships first — learning starts with connection.

2. Make reflection part of the learning process.

3. Model lifelong learning for your students and peers.

4. Use technology with intention, not obligation.

5. Connect learning to the real world.

#EdTech Recommendation: Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover — a powerful reminder of education's transformative potential.

Before the featured content, Chris reflects on a growing internal debate: is it time to step back from tech-heavy classrooms and return to more analog methods? He also shares three edtech recommendations, including tools for generating copyright-free images, discovering daily AI tool capabilities, and randomizing seating charts for better classroom dynamics.

Topics Discussed:

• EdTech Thought: Chris debates the "Tech or No Tech" question in modern classrooms

• EdTech Recommendations:

  • https://nomorecopyright.com/ - Upload an image to transform it into a unique, distinct version designed solely for inspiration and creative exploration.

  • https://www.shufflebuddy.com/ - Never worry about seating charts again Foster a strong classroom community by frequently shuffling your seating charts while respecting your students' individual needs.

  • https://whataicandotoday.com/ - We've analysed 16362 AI Tools and identified their capabilities with OpenAI GPT-4.1, to bring you a free list of 83054 tasks of what AI can do today.

  
  

• Why classrooms need a responsible AI policy

• A five-part framework to build your AI classroom policy

  • Define What AI Is (and Isn't)
  • Clarify When and How AI Can Be Used
  • Promote Transparency and Attribution
  • Include Privacy and Tool Approval Guidelines
  • Make It Collaborative and Flexible
  
  

• The importance of modeling digital citizenship and AI literacy

• Free editable AI policy template by Chris for grades K–12

Mentions:

• Mike Brilla – The Inspired Teacher podcast

• Jake Miller – Educational Duct Tape podcast // Educational Duct Tape Book

Key Themes and Highlights:

• A powerful new addition to the Canva suite—Canva Sheets brings AI-infused, visually pleasing spreadsheets to the classroom.

• Bulk Background Remover: Easily remove backgrounds from dozens of student photos at once.

• Bulk Create with Images: Mass-produce certificates, report cards, or newsletters by integrating images directly into your sheet.

• Magic AI Prompts: Skip the formulas—just describe your needs and let AI do the rest (e.g., calculating budgets, charting grades).

• Magic Insights: Auto-generate graphs, summaries, or positive student comments—great for data storytelling or end-of-year celebrations.

• Student Access: Available to students in districts where Canva's Magic tools are enabled.

• Create multi-modal projects within a single file: combine slides, spreadsheets, videos, documents, and websites.

• Use Case: Teachers can build unit plans with rubrics, grading sheets, lesson videos, and linked resources—all in one shareable design.

• Student Application: Portfolios that blend writing, multimedia, assessments, and visual elements in a single file.

• No coding experience needed! Generate interactive HTML-based tools like:

  • Flashcard games

  • Vocabulary matching activities

  • Countdown timers

  
  

• Use Cases:

  • Do-Nows & Exit Tickets

  • Interactive experiences (e.g., virtual art exhibits)

  
  

• Includes real-time code editing via voice or chat and seamless integration into other Canva designs.

• Record true voiceovers directly in Canva—no more video workarounds.

• Use AI-generated voices to read text aloud in different accents and languages (e.g., Spanish voice packs Alejandra and Sofia).

• Ideal for student presentations, podcasts, and accessibility support.

• Auto-generate speaking points from your presentation slides.

• Great for prepping lessons, webinars, or class presentations on the fly.

• Instantly generate quizzes from highlighted text in a lesson or document.

• New classwork dashboard allows for real-time monitoring of student progress (especially for educators without an LMS like Google Classroom).

• Create animated, interactive timelines or diagrams that engage students through scroll-triggered movement and transitions.

• 🎯 Example: A digestive system walkthrough or a historical timeline using scroll-based animations.

• Superscript & Subscript support (finally!)

• Rich text highlighting in Docs

• Caption animations

• Volume balancing for videos

• Banner placement across all pages

• Enhanced collaboration (up to 50 collaborators per design)

In Episode 260 of House of #EdTech, I sit down with Dan Gallagher, an experienced ed tech coach, to explore how AI can be integrated into elementary education. We dive into the best tools, practical applications, and strategies to ensure AI enhances learning while keeping students safe and engaged.

Many educators hesitate to introduce AI to young students, concerned about privacy, ethics, and age-appropriate usage. But as Dan explains, AI isn't about replacing teachers—it's about enhancing personalized learning and supporting creativity.

AI can act as a creative brainstorming partner, a writing assistant, and even a storytelling coach, helping students generate ideas and refine their work in ways that keep them engaged and excited about learning.

And the best part? When used correctly, AI doesn't replace human interaction—it amplifies a teacher's ability to provide personalized feedback.

So, how does this work in a real classroom setting? Dan shares some inspiring examples:

Using AI chatbots like "Waffles" (a controlled, kid-friendly chatbot), students can interact with a virtual writing partner that helps them develop their storytelling skills. The AI can ask them engaging questions, suggest details, and even provide feedback on their writing.

Example Activity: A student writing a story about a time traveler can ask the AI for historical facts, unique setting ideas, or character inspiration. The AI generates possibilities, but the student makes all the creative decisions!

AI-powered platforms like Canva's text-to-image generator allow young students to turn their ideas into visual representations.

Example Activity: A class studying idioms might create posters using AI-generated images. If a student picks "It's raining cats and dogs," AI can generate an imaginative illustration, sparking discussion about figurative language.

AI can function as a virtual tutor, adapting to each student's needs. Platforms like Magic School AI provide instant feedback on writing assignments, while School AI can assist with generating lesson plans tailored to students' learning levels.

Example Activity: A teacher might use AI to provide instant feedback on students' sentence structures, guiding them to refine their writing step by step instead of waiting for the teacher to get to each student individually.

Of course, introducing AI in elementary education requires a responsible approach. Privacy, misinformation, and ethical use are all valid concerns. Dan and I discuss some best practices to keep AI use safe and effective:

Use AI platforms with built-in content moderation (e.g., School AI, which ensures safe interactions). Set up AI usage in a controlled, "walled garden" environment where students can explore safely. Teach students critical thinking skills to evaluate AI-generated content—just because AI provides an answer doesn't mean it's always correct! Engage parents and school administrators by explaining how AI is being used responsibly in the classroom.

Parents, in particular, may be hesitant, so educators should communicate the benefits while addressing concerns about safety. Tools like Common Sense Media can be great resources for helping families navigate AI responsibly.

If you're an educator wondering how to introduce AI to younger students, here are some practical first steps:

Start with simple AI tools like Google AutoDraw, which turns students' rough sketches into polished images. Use AI for brainstorming, not answers—help students see AI as a tool for sparking ideas, not just getting solutions. Model AI usage during lessons—demonstrate how you use AI to generate ideas or enhance lesson materials. Encourage creativity—have students work in groups to refine AI-generated content rather than taking it at face value.

This episode is a reminder that AI is not just for older students or tech-savvy classrooms—it has the potential to unlock creativity, enhance engagement, and support personalized learning for young learners as well.

AI won't replace teachers, but it can help them provide better support to more students—a true game-changer in today's classrooms.

• Definition of gamification and how it differs from game-based learning
• The psychology behind gamification: motivation, engagement, and dopamine
• Why gamification works in both K-12 and higher education settings

• Teachers and schools successfully implementing gamification
• How gamified learning platforms like Classcraft, Kahoot!, and Quizizz enhance the classroom experience
• The impact of leaderboards, challenges, and achievements on student motivation

• Points, Badges, and Leaderboards (PBL): Reward students for progress and effort
• Quests and Challenges: Break down lessons into missions and problem-solving activities
• Choice and Autonomy: Let students pick their learning paths through differentiated tasks
• Storytelling & Themes: Create immersive experiences (e.g., a classroom space mission or historical adventure)

• Classcraft – Gamify classroom management
• Kahoot! – Interactive quizzes
• Quizizz – Fun game-based assessments
• Minecraft: Education Edition – Learning through creativity

For complete show notes please visit: https://chrisnesi.com/258

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PURCHASE "I LIKE TO PODCAST AND YOU WILL TOO!: A HOUSE OF #EDTECH GUIDE TO PODCASTING!"

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• Welcome to a special bonus episode of House of #EdTech, where I'm celebrating a remarkable 10-year journey!

My Memories of the Last 10 Years

• Reflecting on a decade of growth, challenges, and triumphs.
• The evolution of educational technology over these years.

Inspiration for the Show

• Sharing the spark that ignited the idea for House of #EdTech.

Recording and Publishing That First Episode

• The excitement and nervousness of bringing the first episode to life.
• Overcoming initial hurdles and learning along the way.

House of #EdTech - episode 1

• A nostalgic snippet from the very first episode.

Favorite Episodes

• 3 - Joe Iacono
• 14, 52, 54, 66, 76, 92, 138 - Katelyn
• 117, 137 - Miles
• 100, 108 - Dad
• 59 - Stacey & AJ Interviewed Me

By the Numbers

• 10 Years = 120 months, 521 weeks, 3,652 days, 87,648 hours, 5,258,880 minutes, 315,532,800 seconds.
• 239 official episodes.
• 1,457,893 total downloads.

Awesome Supporters

• Expressing heartfelt gratitude to all supporters.
• Jeff Herb - 1st supporter, sticking with us for 211 episodes.
• Leo Calbusch - Our latest awesome supporter.
• Acknowledging former and current Awesome Supporters.
• Special mention to Stacey Lindes - my 1st fan.
• Derek Larson - Fill-in host and the creator of the Smackdown sheet.

Because of HoET...

• How HoET gave me the confidence to put my voice out there.
• Believing in the value of what I have to say.

Awards

• 2015 Educator's Voice
• 2016 EdTech Digest Leadership Award
• 2018 EdTech Digest Top-100 EdTech Influencer
• 2019 K-12 Education 30 Must-Follow IT Influencer
• 2021 Learning Ladders Best Educational Podcaster

Travel and Conferences

• Memorable trips to Utah, Alabama.
• Experiences at EdCamps, NJECC, ISTE, and Podcast Movement

Rutgers Professor since 2016

• The journey of becoming and being a professor at Rutgers.

The Pod Journal

• A dive into the creation and impact of The Pod Journal.

I Like to Podcast and You Will Too!

• Discussing my guide to podcasting and its influence. Purchase your copy!

Education Podcast Network

• The growth and success of the Education Podcast Network.

Podcast Editor

• Role and experiences as a podcast editor for:
  • Google Teacher Podcast
  • Partial Credit
  • Assist Learning Podcast
  • The Infused Classroom Podcast
  • Zebra Podcast Network
  
  
• PodcastPD
• Chase for 28
• Knock Knock, Who's There?
• Behind the Mic: Voices of the EPN
• Inspiring Thoughts Daily

Special contributions from the EdTech community, including voicemails and emails, enrich the conversation with real-world insights and applications. Whether you're a seasoned educator or exploring the world of EdTech, this episode offers a treasure trove of ideas, inspirations, and tools to revolutionize your approach to teaching and learning in 2024.

Contributions from my community, including:

• Stephanie Howell on Kami
• Carlos Garza on Cell Phones in Education, Curipod, and Mastodon
• Katrina Haynes on Nearpod
• Bryon Carpenter on Adobe Express
• Stacy Fleming's insights on EdPuzzle
• Cam Ross recommends Diffit and Canva Magic for engaging lessons
• Leo's thoughts on ChatGPT
• Chris Stuchko's take on Magic School AI
• David Sandlin's submission of Tinkercad for 3D model designing
• Mel A's roundup of tools like Quizizz, Blooket, EdPuzzle, Adobe Express, and Loom

For complete show notes please visit: https://chrisnesi.com/238

For complete show notes please visit: https://chrisnesi.com/237

In the Featured Content, I reflect on my experience at the AI in Education Conference, where I spoke with Dr. Robert Zywicky, Dr. Richard Tomko, and Stanley Buchesky. Together, we explore the future of AI in education, the importance of computer science, and what the next year holds for AI's impact in K-12 classrooms.

For complete show notes please visit: https://chrisnesi.com/236

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Attend the Supes Choice Award Gala!

Hey listeners! Today, I want to introduce you to an incredible tool that's revolutionizing the way educators create content - QuestionWell. Whether you're a teacher, tutor, or just someone passionate about learning, QuestionWell offers a suite of features that make content creation a breeze. From automatically generating learning outcomes and essential questions to offering a wide range of export options, this platform has got you covered. And for those looking to take their content to the next level, QuestionWell's paid plan offers even more advanced features. So, if you're looking to save time and enhance your educational content, check out QuestionWell today!

Debbie Tannenbaum is an accomplished educator, tech enthusiast, and advocate for innovative learning. With over a decade of experience in the educational sector, Debbie has dedicated her career to integrating technology into classrooms, ensuring that students are equipped with the skills they need for the digital age. As a passionate believer in the power of technology to transform learning, she has led numerous workshops and training sessions for educators, helping them harness the potential of modern tools and platforms. Debbie's commitment to education extends beyond the classroom; she is an active blogger, sharing insights, tips, and resources with a broader audience. Her dedication to fostering a love for learning and her ability to bridge the gap between traditional teaching methods and new technological advancements make her a valuable asset to any educational institution.

Explore the Power of Voice with Podcasting: Let's dive into the untapped potential of podcasting as a platform for sharing unique stories, perspectives, and knowledge. Emphasizing its accessibility and authenticity, the piece encourages educators to adopt podcasting as an innovative teaching tool and individuals to overcome fears and self-doubt to share their unique voice. With minimal equipment and genuine intent, anyone can connect, inspire, and grow through podcasting.

I've authored "I Like to Podcast and You Will Too: A House of #EdTech Guide to Podcasting" and it might be the perfect resource if you're ready to hit record and learn more about podcasting.

I had the opportunity to sit down with Alfonso Mendoza! He's the host of My EdTech Life and his podcast is also a member of the Education Podcast Network.

We spoke face-to-face at ISTE 2023 in Philadelphia back in June and we talked about why and how he creates his podcast.

1. Identifying Potential: Each educator should discover the transformative power of tech tools available to them.
2. Adapting Takes Time: Remember the initial struggle with projectors or whiteboards? Like them, mastering new tech requires patience.
3. Choose What Fits: Not all tools align with every teaching style. Find those that resonate with you and your students.
4. Trust Your Intuition: Each classroom and teacher is unique. Opt for technology that complements your teaching goals.
5. Challenge Past Notions: Don't shy away due to previous tech setbacks. Shift your perspective from 'daunting' to 'empowering'.
6. Unlock Possibilities: Leading educators are leveraging tech to redefine teaching. Don't miss out on potential game-changers.
7. Stay Current: Technology isn't just the future of teaching; it's the present.

Optimize your teaching approach by embracing technology, understanding its potential, and integrating tools that enhance your classroom experience. Don't let apprehensions deter you. Embrace the present and future of education.

How to Cite AI in MLA

"[prompt]" prompt. AI Tool & version (with date), Company, Date Accessed, General Link to AI Tool.

Christie Cloud chatted with me at ISTE Live 2023 all about Curipod!

Curipod's mission: "For too long, education has been focusing on remembering, recalling and memorizing. We have seen the greatness of what a curious person can accomplish. We are on a mission to spark curiosity in peoples lives and make questioning everything something you do everyday, because it is fun and energising."

I finally met Alana Winnick face to face at ISTE Live 2023 in Philadelphia after connecting with her virtually during the pandemic via Jesse Lubinsky from Partial Credit.

Alana is passionate about education technology, she's a podcaster and a newly published author!

During our conversation, we talk about artificial intelligence and its growing use in education and we share our opinions about some AI-related topics and I also share some of the ways I've leveraged AI in my own classroom.

Click here to purchase Alana's book, "The Generative Age: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Education"

Josh Swartz and William Illingworth are the hosts of the HiTech Podcast and I got to set and chat with them while I was at ISTE 2023 in Philadelphia.

Topics Discussed:

• What is the HiTech Podcast?
• Applying EdTech to HigherEd
• Inspiring students with effective edtech integration
• Are you someone's favorite teacher?
• How did you learn to teach?

Technology Mentioned:

• Soundtrap
• Seesaw
• BookCreator

I am launching TWO new podcasts!

• Behind the Mic: Voices of the EPN
• Inspiring Thoughts Daily with Chris Nesi

I have finally written a book! I invite you to check out my first book, "I Like to Podcast and You Will Too: A House of #EdTech Guide to Podcasting"

Physical copies are available NOW and the will release on Kindle on August 16, 2023! Whether you're looking to podcast with students or podcast for yourself this book will get you podcasting!

Threads, a new social media platform developed by Instagram, is gaining traction among educators. It allows users to share text updates, join public conversations, and importantly for educators, link directly to resources. Despite early challenges with search functionality and account management, Threads holds significant potential for revolutionizing how educators connect and share resources.

Takeaways:

1. Threads provides a new avenue for educators to connect and engage in in-depth conversations, overcoming limitations of platforms like Instagram.
2. Despite its early-stage challenges, such as a lack of support for hashtags and account deletion tied to Instagram, Threads' potential to transform educational resource sharing and networking is significant.

Let's connect on Threads!

Explore mmhmm, a dynamic and user-friendly tool that's revolutionizing virtual classrooms for K-12 teachers. mmhmm offers a suite of features designed to make online teaching more engaging and memorable. From presenting on-screen alongside any content to hosting interactive activities and discussions on video calls, mmhmm is compatible with platforms like Zoom, Meet, Teams, and Webex. Teachers can record lessons, design custom video sequences, and even add special effects to their presentations. Once a lesson is ready, it can be shared with students or published to a school's video library, with closed captioning options for improved accessibility. Available for Mac and Windows, mmhmm also offers web and studio versions for added flexibility.

Crystal Samuels, John Terlecki, and Douglas Timm discussed their roles in their Delaware school district as instructional technology leaders.

The team is in charge of instructional technology for a district of 14,000 students across 33 schools, and they cater to diverse student populations, including those with unique needs such as a school for the deaf, students with disabilities, and autistic-centric programs.

They each emphasized the collaborative nature of their team, stating that they work well together because of their differing approaches and personalities. They stressed the importance of having a 'can-do' attitude, always striving to find ways to implement new ideas.

Topics discussed include:

• Technology Education and Support
• Challenging Assumptions
• Micro Credentialing
• Technology Adoption and Feedback
• Connectivity

Nicole Lipps is a seasoned educator with a fervent passion for integrating digital tools and resources into the educational landscape. Her mission is to revolutionize the way we teach and learn, and she has a proven track record of successfully leveraging technology to enhance student engagement and achievement. Nicole takes immense pride in leading other educators on this transformative journey.

I can't wait to meet you at ISTE Live 2023 if you will be in Philly!

While the notion of banning cell phones in schools might seem appealing due to concerns over distraction and misuse, it is worth considering the multitude of benefits these devices can offer in enhancing the learning environment. Cell phones can be exceptional educational tools, offering students access to a plethora of online resources, apps, and e-books, thus expanding their learning beyond traditional textbooks.

In today's digital age, early exposure to technology through cell phones can cultivate technological literacy in students, preparing them for future opportunities. Additionally, cell phones can provide an essential bridge across the digital divide for students who lack access to computers or tablets at home, promoting a more inclusive and equitable learning environment.

In the event of emergencies, cell phones offer an immediate communication channel, ensuring safety. They can also be instrumental in teaching students about autonomy, responsibility, and digital etiquette. Moreover, they have the potential to revolutionize teaching methods, as educators can incorporate interactive activities accessible via students' devices, promoting active engagement.

While these benefits are significant, it's crucial to foster a disciplined and respectful usage of cell phones within the school environment. Rather than imposing an outright ban, schools could develop a comprehensive cell phone policy, focusing on teaching students how to use their devices effectively and responsibly.

Check out Troy Reynolds on TikTok | TikTok Referenced In Episode & Part 2

At the end of the school year, teachers should take a few key steps to clean up their Google Classroom to ensure a smooth transition to the next academic year.

1. Archive Classes: Once a class is over, you should archive it to keep your dashboard organized. Archived classes are still accessible for reference, but they don't appear in your active class list.

2. Return All Work: Ensure all assignments have been graded and returned to students. This allows students to view their grades and feedback even after the class is archived.

3. Download and Save Important Data: If there are important materials, grades, or student submissions you want to keep, make sure to download and save them elsewhere before archiving the class.

4. Remove Old Class Materials: Clear out any unnecessary posts, assignments, or materials from the class page. This will make it easier to navigate in the future.

5. Communicate with Students: Let students know when you plan to archive the class so they can download any materials or grades they want to keep.

6. Plan for the Next Year: Consider what worked well and what didn't this year. Start preparing for the next year by setting up new classes, reusing posts or assignments, and updating your course material as necessary.

Following these steps will not only make your Google Classroom more manageable, but it will also set you up for success in the upcoming school year.

In this episode of the House of #EdTech, I delve into the transformative power of Apple's latest technological innovation, the Apple Vision Pro. This groundbreaking mixed-reality headset has immense potential to reshape K-12 education, introducing students to an immersive, interactive, and highly engaging learning environment.

I explore the key features of the Vision Pro, from its advanced M2 and R1 chips for seamless computing and real-time sensor processing to its array of sensors and cameras that allow users to interact with digital content as if it were part of their actual surroundings. The EyeSight technology, which enables a sense of connection and presence, is also highlighted.

The episode discusses the revolutionary impact of the Vision Pro on education, emphasizing its capacity to bring lessons to life, foster deeper comprehension, and create a more inclusive learning environment. The headset's ability to bridge the gap between online and offline students, transcending physical presence and geographic limitations, is also explored.

You are presented with creative lesson plan ideas that leverage the Vision Pro's features across different grade levels. From virtual field trips to a zoo for elementary students to performing Shakespearean plays on a virtual stage for high schoolers, these examples illuminate the exciting possibilities for teaching and learning.

This episode paints an exciting picture of the future of education, demonstrating how technologies like the Apple Vision Pro can open new avenues for creativity, exploration, and inclusivity in the classroom.

Building a Sanctuary for Educators: By actively building a community of educators, we create a sanctuary where knowledge is exchanged, best practices are shared, and innovative ideas are collaboratively developed. This nurturing environment becomes a wellspring of encouragement, inspiration, and the fuel that drives us to strive for excellence within our classrooms.

Benefits of Joining an Educator Community:

1. Knowledge Exchange: In a vibrant community, educators can tap into a vast pool of knowledge and expertise. By engaging in conversations and sharing insights, we can enhance our teaching methods, discover new approaches, and refine our craft.
2. Best Practices: Within the community, educators can share successful strategies, proven techniques, and effective classroom management skills. This collaboration allows us to learn from one another and adapt these best practices to suit our unique teaching contexts.
3. Collaboration and Innovation: An educator community provides a fertile ground for collaboration and innovation. By working together on projects, lesson plans, and educational initiatives, we can amplify our impact and create transformative experiences for our students.
4. Support and Encouragement: The challenges of being an educator can sometimes feel overwhelming. However, within a community, we find unwavering support and encouragement from like-minded professionals who understand our journey. This support system bolsters our resilience and empowers us to navigate through difficulties with renewed vigor.

I want to introduce you to a powerful tool that is revolutionizing the way educators deliver presentations. ClassPoint is an innovative solution that seamlessly integrates with Microsoft PowerPoint, elevating your teaching experience to new heights. Let's explore how ClassPoint enhances your existing PowerPoint presentations and transforms them into dynamic and interactive learning experiences.

Transforming PowerPoint into a Dynamic Teaching Platform: ClassPoint elevates PowerPoint from a basic presentation tool to a dynamic teaching platform. By incorporating ClassPoint into your digital lessons, you can enhance student engagement, foster interactivity, and create memorable learning experiences. Take your teaching to the next level by giving ClassPoint a try and experience the transformative power it brings to your classroom. Share your feedback and let me know how it enhances your teaching. If you're already using ClassPoint, I would love to hear from you too!

In today's world, podcasting is becoming an increasingly influential tool in many educational settings. We delve deep into this topic, particularly the benefits of podcasting in schools.

This episode explores how podcasting contributes to students' development and growth in various subjects, boosting their communication and social skills. Whether you're based in Brazil like my listener Leo Calbusch, in Pennsylvania like Mike Brilla, or anywhere else in the world, this episode provides insightful answers to critical questions on the role of podcasting in enhancing student engagement and commitment.

Resources:

• #1 Resource: https://chrisnesi.com/schoolpodcast
• https://everything-everywhere.com/everything-everywhere-daily-podcast/
• http://zebrapodcastnetwork.com

Topics and questions addressed:

1. What are the benefits of podcasting in school?
2. How does it contribute to students' development and improvement in different subjects?
3. How does it enhance their communication and social skills?
4. Does it help them become more organized?
5. Curious about student engagement and commitment
6. What do they learn and what skills do they develop or improve by podcasting?
7. Could you provide some guidance on how to distribute a podcast on major platforms such as Apple, Google, and Spotify?
8. How regularly do you meet with your podcasting club at school?
9. How can I introduce the concept of podcasting to students who may be unfamiliar with it?
10. What are some engaging topics or themes that students can explore in their own podcast episodes?
11. What roles can students take on in the production of a podcast (host, producer, editor, etc.)?
12. How can we ensure that students' podcasts are appropriate and safe for sharing?
13. How can we involve parents and the wider school community in our podcasting project?
14. Can you provide any examples of successful student-led podcasts or podcasting projects in schools?

As the school year comes to an end, teachers can reflect on their growth and explore new technology tools to enhance their teaching skills. Integrating new tech in the classroom can help educators stay current, become more effective, and contribute to their professional development. Embracing innovation in education is essential for personal growth and student success.

Key Points:

• End of the school year reflection
• Trying out new technology tools
• Staying current and relevant in education
• Enhancing teaching effectiveness
• Professional growth and development
• Embracing innovation and challenges
• Expanding skill set and expertise
• Investing in personal growth and student success

Gamma is an alternative to slide decks - a fast, simple way to share and present your work. Create engaging presentations, memos, briefs, and docs that are easy to discuss live or share async.

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Check out the slide deck I created about the featured content for this episode.

In today's episode, I focused on the process of creating digital portfolios with students, which can enhance their learning experiences and showcase their growth. Key takeaways include:

• Benefits of digital portfolios: develop digital literacy skills, demonstrate progress, and prepare for college and career opportunities.
• Establish clear learning objectives for digital portfolio projects.
• Select a suitable platform, such as Seesaw, Google Sites, Weebly, or Wix.
• Organize and curate content effectively, incorporating multimedia elements.
• Encourage reflection and goal-setting to develop metacognitive skills and a growth mindset.
• Foster collaboration and communication through peer feedback and review.
• Share and celebrate students' success, showcasing their work to a wider audience and fostering a positive learning environment.

Let's be sure to connect!

Being Open-minded

As teachers, we are responsible for shaping our students' minds and hearts and creating an environment that fosters empathy, understanding, and acceptance. By being open-minded, we can better understand and appreciate the unique perspectives our students bring to the classroom, create a more inclusive and supportive learning environment, and continually refine our teaching methods. The article highlights that being open-minded does not mean abandoning our values and beliefs but rather considering alternative viewpoints to make informed decisions for our students' best interests. Cultivating open-mindedness as a teacher is essential for both personal and professional growth and the success of our students.

I'm delighted to be joined by Logan Greenhaw, the founder of AutoClassmate.io, an AI platform dedicated to helping educators like you do more of what you enjoy... teaching. AutoClassmate.io believes that education is the most powerful tool to solve global issues and strives to provide innovative and ethical resources to transform the future of education – and ultimately, the world.

Tab Wrangler

• Do you find yourself with too many tabs open and your computer running slow? Tab Wrangler is the perfect solution. This extension automatically closes unused tabs after a specified period of time to reduce background resources. This helps keep your computer running smoothly and improves productivity by minimizing distractions.

Keyword Surfer

• If you're looking to improve your website's search engine optimization (SEO), Keyword Surfer is the perfect extension. This tool generates keyword ideas and displays search volumes in Google search results. Keyword Surfer is useful for content creation and optimizing your website's content to improve your ranking in search engine results.

Microsoft Autofill

• For users who use both Edge and Chrome browsers, Microsoft Autofill is a great way to save time and improve productivity. This extension saves passwords, addresses, and payment information to auto-fill them on websites you visit. This is a great way to save time and improve productivity by not having to type in the same information repeatedly.

CRX Mouse

• Boosting productivity while browsing the web is always a plus, and CRX Mouse is here to help. This extension enables mouse gestures for simple tasks, such as opening a new tab or closing a tab. This helps save time and makes browsing the web more efficient.

• The history and technology behind Wipebook's reusable notebooks
• Examples of how Wipebook's notebooks are being used in education settings
• Wipebook's technology in the future
• Why should people use and or purchase products from Wipebook

Our AI Responsibility

In a recent blog post, Fonz from My EdTech Life discusses the growing presence of artificial intelligence (AI) in education and the potential risks of overreliance on AI tools. His post highlights the importance of using AI as a tool for critical thinking and meaningful application, rather than a crutch that hinders learning. The post emphasizes the need to teach students responsible AI usage, including awareness of data laws, ethical concerns, and digital citizenship. By promoting a balanced approach to AI in education, students can be better prepared for success in the modern workforce.

We also need to help our colleagues by sharing knowledge, experiences, and best practices related to AI in education.

• Actively seek opportunities
• Foster a culture of collaboration
• Provide mentorship and guidance

3 Must-have Chrome Extensions

• Save to Google Drive
  • Have you ever found an article or image online that you want to save for later, but don't want to clutter up your bookmarks? Save to Google Drive is the perfect solution. This extension allows you to save web content like images, videos, links, and various types of files to your Google Drive for later viewing. This is a great way to keep everything organized in one place and easily accessible from any device.
  
  
• Compose AI
  • Improving your writing skills is crucial in today's digital age, and Compose AI is here to help. This extension enhances grammar checking and generates text using AI to auto-complete sentences in your browser, such as in Gmail, Outlook, and Google Docs. Compose AI can also suggest ways to improve your writing and make it more engaging.
  
  
• Privacy Badger
  • Privacy is a growing concern for many people, and Privacy Badger is here to help. This extension blocks trackers based on their behavior to improve privacy while browsing the web. Created by the Electronic Frontier Foundation, Privacy Badger helps protect your personal information and keep your browsing habits private.
  
  

New Canva Tools!

• Draw
• Magic Design
• Magic Presentation
• Magic Edit & Eraser
• Beat Sync
• Animation
• Translate

Alli McCrary

• Waltham, MA
• Teacher, EdTech Coach, Digital Literacy Focused, Chat GPT & AI Obsessed.
• aiclassroom.me

Sam Fecich and Matthew Woods, both members of the EPN have collaborated on a new professional development book titled, "Digital PD for Educators." Purchase the book from Amazon.

Auto Classmate - autoclassmate.io

"Auto Classmate helps educators stay informed on emerging advancements in technology and leadership. We firmly believe that education is the single most powerful tool to solve global issues. We strive to provide innovative and ethical resources to transform the future of education and–ultimately–the world."

Leena Marie Saleh, the EdTech Guru, returns for a conversation about social media in education. Leena Marie previously appeared on episode 190 of the podcast.

Role of Social Media in Education:

Social media has become a powerful tool for communication and collaboration in education. From facilitating discussions and exchanging ideas to sharing resources and connecting with students, social media has changed the way we approach teaching and learning. By leveraging the latest technology, educators can create an engaging and dynamic learning experience for their students.

Questions Discussed:

1. What are some of the potential benefits of using social media in education?
2. What are some best practices that you follow when using social media in the classroom?
3. Can you share your thoughts on the role of social media in shaping the future of education?

Social media has revolutionized the way we communicate, share information, and connect with others. In today's world, where technology plays a critical role in almost every aspect of our lives, it's essential for educators to embrace social media as a tool for teaching and learning.

Canva Websites - Canva Websites is an all-in-one solution that makes building beautiful, responsive websites easy and hassle-free. With a simple drag-and-drop interface and a wide selection of professionally designed templates, you can create a website that truly represents your teaching style and vision.

Christie Cloud - Christie is a dedicated educator who has spent the last 22 years teaching 7th and 8th-grade social studies. She's taught virtually for the previous 2 years at Empower Virtual School in Coweta County, Georgia. She's become an expert in online learning, creating engaging and effective virtual environments for her students.

Congratulations to Mike Dodge, Sam Fecich, Chris Stuchko, Dan Gallagher, and Steve Chisnell for winning a t-shirt! I hope they enjoy wearing their shirts and spreading the word about the House of #EdTech. Thank you for your support and for being part of this community.

My thought is a satirical critique of replacing human teachers with ChatGPT. I point out the absurdity of relying on a cold algorithm that spits out answers like a vending machine and can make witty jokes and puns. I used quotes from supposedly satisfied users of ChatGPT to highlight the negative consequences of using such a program, such as the lack of original thought and critical thinking. I end by mocking the idea of upgrading the personality of ChatGPT, implying that it is ridiculous to think that a machine can replace human teachers who can provide a personal connection and expertise.

Mobile devices have become increasingly popular in education due to their ability to provide students with access to educational resources and tools anytime and anywhere. With the rise of mobile technology, students can now use their smartphones and tablets to access educational apps, e-books, online courses, and educational videos, among other resources. Mobile devices also offer teachers and professors the opportunity to provide personalized learning experiences and interactive activities that enhance student engagement.

One of the biggest advantages of mobile devices in education is their ability to promote digital literacy and 21st-century skills. Through the use of mobile technology, students can develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration skills, which are essential for success in today's workforce. Additionally, mobile devices can help bridge the digital divide by providing equal access to educational resources for students in remote or underprivileged areas. However, it is important to note that the integration of mobile devices in education should be done strategically and with proper planning to ensure that it aligns with the learning objectives and goals of the curriculum.

CLICK HERE TO GET A FREE CELL PHONE EXPECTATIONS POSTER

For Elementary School:

1. Duolingo - (https://www.duolingo.com/)
2. Epic! - (https://www.getepic.com/)
3. Prodigy Math Game - (https://www.prodigygame.com/)
4. ScratchJr - (https://www.scratchjr.org/)
5. Khan Academy Kids - (https://learn.khanacademy.org/khan-academy-kids/)

For Middle School:

1. Quizlet - (https://quizlet.com/)
2. Google Classroom - (https://classroom.google.com/)
3. Photomath - (https://photomath.app/)
4. iCivics - (https://www.icivics.org/)
5. Grammarly Keyboard - (https://www.grammarly.com/mobile/keyboard)

For High School:

1. Khan Academy - (https://www.khanacademy.org/)
2. WolframAlpha - (https://www.wolframalpha.com/)
3. Evernote - (https://evernote.com/)
4. StudyBlue - (https://www.studyblue.com/)
5. Forest - (https://www.forestapp.cc/)

The world is rapidly advancing in technology and artificial intelligence is at the forefront of that progress. But what does that mean for the field of education? How is AI being used to enhance teaching and learning?

ChatGPT is an advanced language model developed by OpenAI that can generate human-like text based on the input it receives. AI, or artificial intelligence, refers to the development of computer systems that can perform tasks that would typically require human intelligence.

• The Benefits of Using ChatGPT and AI in Education
• How ChatGPT Works in Education
  • Examples of How to Use ChatGPT in Education
    • Writing prompts
    • Reading comprehension questions
    • Vocabulary building
    • Personalized practice
    • Current events discussion
    • Science experiments
    • Creative problem-solving
    • Study skills and test preparation
    • Career exploration
    
    
  
  
• Things I've done with ChatGPT
  • 3-part objectives
  • Generate rubrics
  • Designed a podcasting project
  • Generated PD about AI
  • Create resources at different reading levels
  • Create supplemental resources
  • Grading
  
  
• Best Practices for Integrating ChatGPT into Your Teaching

Tome - Would you be interested in AI that does for presentations what ChatGPT does for text? Tome is the collaborative AI-powered presentation tool you've got to try.

Say goodbye to tedious design work and hello to frictionless creation with Tome. Embed anything from the web and showcase content in one place with live integrations and easy sharing.

Try ChatpGPT and Tome!

PodcastPD Episode 124 - Tips for New Teachers!

Collaboration is essential for success in education technology as it allows for the sharing of ideas and the creation of something greater than what one person can achieve alone. On the other hand, competition can lead to division and animosity. Collaboration is particularly important in the constantly evolving field of education technology as it allows for the pooling of knowledge and expertise to create better tools and resources. Additionally, it promotes inclusivity and diversity in the learning environment. The choice between collaboration and competition is a choice between building something together or tearing each other down.

ChromeOS Flex is a cloud-based operating system for PCs and Macs that aims to provide a fast, easy-to-manage, and secure computing experience. It is designed to be a sustainable way to modernize devices that you already own, and it can be deployed across your fleet with minimal downtime.

You can try ChromeOS Flex by using a USB drive and following the setup instructions. It's a good option to consider if you're looking to accelerate your cloud-first OS deployment, or if you want to try modern computing with cloud-based management on existing devices.

It's 2023. Do Not Fear #EdTech

Let's be honest. As a teacher, regardless of your years of experience, using technology in your classroom can be intimidating at times. It's natural to feel overwhelmed or unsure of where to start, but it's important to remember that incorporating technology benefits you and your students. Here are a few tips for overcoming that fear we all experience and confidently use technology while teaching:

1. Start small and build up gradually
2. Take advantage of free resources and training
3. Ask for help and support
4. Create a safe and supportive learning environment
5. Embrace the benefits of technology

EdTech doesn't have to be scary, incorporating technology into your teaching can be done by starting small and building up gradually, taking advantage of free resources and training, asking for help and support, creating a safe and supportive learning environment, and embracing the benefits of technology.

Join the House of #EdTech Discord. Listen to the episode to get access.

Ask For Help

• Asking for help can be difficult, but it is an important part of being a successful teacher. Here are a few tips to help teachers feel comfortable asking for help:
  • Remember that it is okay to ask for help. Teaching can be challenging, and no one is expected to have all the answers. Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness, and it shows that you are committed to improving and doing the best job possible.
  • Identify the type of help you need. Before you ask for help, think about what you need and why. Are you struggling with a particular lesson plan or instructional strategy? Do you need advice on how to handle a difficult situation with a student? Knowing what you need will make it easier for others to provide the right kind of support.
  • Choose the right person to ask. Not everyone will be able to provide the help you need, so it is important to choose the right person to ask. This might be a colleague who has experience with the issue you are dealing with, a mentor who can provide guidance and advice, or a school administrator who can provide support and resources.
  • Be specific and direct. When asking for help, be specific and direct about what you need. This will make it easier for the person you are asking to understand your situation and provide the right kind of support.
  • Be open to feedback and suggestions. When you ask for help, be prepared to listen to feedback and suggestions. Remember that the person you are asking is trying to help you, and their advice and guidance can be valuable.
  
  
• By following these tips, teachers can feel more comfortable asking for help when they need it. This can help them improve their teaching and support the success of their students.

Apple Freeform - Back in December 2022 Apple released a new app called Freeform, which is similar to a digital whiteboard. It allows you to write, draw, add images, and documents to a blank board, alone or with others. The app is available on iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2, and macOS 13.1. You can pinch-to-zoom in or out on a board, with no limit on how far you can zoom out, and you can add as much as you want or need to a board. Along the top of the screen, you can find all the available tools, such as the Apple Pencil to draw on a board, add a sticky note, or select from over 700 different shapes. You can also add text boxes, links, images, and documents from the Photos or Files app, or even scan a document directly into the app. Freeform also allows for collaboration with friends or colleagues, and you can work on a board together over a FaceTime call. To share a board, users will need to turn on iCloud sync for Freeform.

If you have the ability to mirror your iPad in your classroom or conference room this could be a great tool for you and your students.

The podcast discusses how education technology may change in 2023, with a focus on three main trends. The first trend is an increase in the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning in education. These technologies have the potential to revolutionize the way we learn and teach by personalizing learning experiences, providing personalized feedback and support, and helping educators manage and analyze data. The second trend is the continued growth of online and blended learning, which has been accelerated by the pandemic and is expected to continue in 2023 with the development of more technology tools and platforms that support these models. The third trend is a greater focus on equity and accessibility, which includes providing students with the necessary hardware and software and making sure that the technology is designed to be inclusive and accessible for all learners. The podcast also highlights the need for better connectivity and access to technology for students and educators to achieve equity in education.

Increasing Your Engagement on Twitter

• Tweet regularly: One of the best ways to increase engagement on Twitter is to tweet regularly. This will help you stay top of mind with your followers and keep your content fresh and relevant.
• Use hashtags: Hashtags are a great way to make your tweets more discoverable and increase their reach. By using relevant hashtags, you can connect with other users who are interested in the same topics and increase the chances that your tweets will be seen and engaged with.
• Engage with others: Twitter is a social platform, so it's important to engage with others in order to increase your engagement. This might involve retweeting, commenting, or replying to other users' tweets. By engaging with others, you can build relationships and increase the chances that your own tweets will be seen and engaged with.
• Use visuals: Tweets with visuals, such as images or videos, tend to perform better and get more engagement than text-only tweets. Consider using visuals to make your tweets more eye-catching and engaging.

Join me in making engagement a little less stressful and easy by participating in #easychat. These are super easy questions to be more comfortable responding to on Twitter and engaging with other people.

If you have any thoughts, experiences, or questions about ChatGPT that you would like to share, I invite you to contribute your thoughts.

Whether you or your students are getting into podcasting there are some basic things to consider when you set out to create a successful podcast.

Creating a successful podcast takes time, effort, and dedication. But with the right approach and a bit of know-how, you can create a podcast that is engaging, informative, and entertaining for your listeners.

Here are 5 tips for creating a successful podcast:

• Choose a topic that you are passionate about and that you know well. This will help you create engaging and informative content for your podcast.
• Develop a clear concept and format for your podcast. This will help you organize your ideas and keep your episodes focused and on-topic.
• Choose a catchy and memorable name for your podcast. This will help you stand out in the crowded world of podcasts and attract listeners.
• Invest in good audio equipment. High-quality audio is essential for a successful podcast, so make sure to invest in a good microphone and other recording equipment.
• Plan out your episodes in advance. This will help you stay on track and avoid rambling or losing your train of thought during the recording.

Read this post for 5 more tips for creating a successful podcast.

The Annual Smackdown is my favorite episode to create because I open the show more than normal to you to contribute what you've loved and learned about education technology in the past year. Thank you to everyone who took the time to send in their thoughts and contributions.

• Stephanie Howell - Creating hubs for resources and sharing
• Nate Nagele - App smashing Scribe and Screencasting
• Eric Guise - Cleanfeed.net for podcasting
• Bryon Carpenter - Voice In Voice Typing
• Chris Stuchko - TikTok - Check out my episode about TikTok for Educators
• Carlos Garza - Super Smash Bros. and E-Sports
• Derek Larson - Student Email
• My Submissions - ChatGPT and Adobe Podcasts

You can always view the All-Time Smackdown List here.

Coming Soon! - I'm writing a real book and it's going to be about podcasting. This will be a book that could be used with students in education and it will also be relevant to anyone who wants to begin their podcasting journey.

The working title is, "I Like To Podcast And You Will Too!" and the truth is I've been working this behind the scenes here in 2022 but I have enough complete where I feel comfortable talking about it here on the show.

I am publishing this book on my own and I anticipate a late Summer or early Fall release. If you would be interested in an early preview and contributing a testimonial please reach out to me.

I wanted to take a moment to thank YOU for tuning in to the House of #EdTech podcast. Whether this is your first episode or you've been listening for many years, your support and engagement mean so much to me, and I am grateful for the opportunity to share my thoughts and experiences with you.

I know that you have many options when it comes to podcasts and educational technology content, and I am honored that you have chosen to join me on this journey. Your feedback and contributions to the conversations I have on the show are invaluable, and I appreciate your willingness to share your insights and perspectives.

So from me to you, thank you for being a part of this community. I hope you continue to enjoy the podcast and that you find the content I create useful and informative.

Thank you again for your support. You are a HOET VIP!

End-of-Year EdTech Clean-up

• Are your passwords secure?
• When did you last clean up your email?
• Who are you following on social media?

Canva AI

• Go into a Canva project, hit more, and select Text-to-Image. Describe the image you want and then hit search. Canva will create the image via AI and you can insert the image into your project.

Zebra Podcast Network launched on Jan. 3, 2022 - zebrapodcastnetwork.com

Purpose: The purpose of the Zebra Podcast Network is to report on and tell the stories of New Brunswick High School. We report on school news, clubs, athletics, community news, and more!

Club motto: Your School. Your Voice.

Lessons Learned and Things to Consider:

• Musthaves
  • New email
  
  
• Space
• Gear
  • Mixer
  • Mics
  • Arms
  • Webcam
  
  
• Promotion
  • Social Media
  • Email
  • School Website
  
  
• Support
  • Admin
  • Faculty
  
  
• Production
  • Live Stream?
  • How much editing?
  • Software?
  
  
• Participation
  • Students
  • Adults
  
  

School Podcasting Resources

Dr. Matthew X. Joseph is currently the Director of Evaluation, Supervision, Mentoring, and Hiring in Brockton Public Schools. He is also the CEO of X-Factor EDU consulting and publishing.

Visit Matt's website

EdCamps Are Great!

You should be attending or organizing the best professional development you can get!

Twine - https://twinery.org/

Twine is an open-source tool for telling interactive, nonlinear stories.

You don't need to write any code to create a simple story with Twine, but you can extend your stories with variables, conditional logic, images, CSS, and JavaScript when you're ready.

Twine publishes directly to HTML, so you can post your work nearly anywhere. Anything you create with it is completely free to use any way you like, including for commercial purposes.

Twine would be great for individual students in grades 5-12.

In episode 212, I asked if schools were listening to teachers about a number of issues related to education technology. One of my listeners, Brooke Anne Petrucelli, emailed me to share her thoughts on her experiences as a Technology Coordinator and Technology Literacy teacher. Brooke Anne is definitely doing the work and putting in the effort but she's not getting the results she believes she should be.

I share my thoughts and continue the conversation.

Connect with Brooke Anne!

Holly Buck - A Mom, wife, animal lover, and K-8 Instructional Technology Coach from Connecticut!

Paying for Twitter Verification. Don't be a Sneetch!

• Scribe Chrome Extension
  • Use the Scribe Chrome Extension to automatically generate step-by-step guides for any process in seconds.
  • Spend less time explaining and more time doing.
  • Scribe generates an interactive screenshot and text description for each step.
  • Easily share with colleagues and students.
  
  

• When It Comes to Picking Edtech, Are Schools Listening to Teachers? (EdSurge)
• When your school or district decides to invest in and make a new edtech product available, the goal is to transform student learning and add value to their experiences in the classroom.
• But where in the process do you fit in? If you're a teacher what, if any, is your role? And how much say do you—or should you—have in edtech decisions?
• In a survey released earlier this year, the edtech company Clever found that 85 percent of administrators say teachers are involved in choosing tools. When the company asked teachers, more than 60 percent said they were hardly ever—or never—involved in those choices.
• So which is it?
• Do You Have a Seat at the Table
  • Is there enough teacher voice in the edtech selection process? NO.
  • Why? Well first, teachers aren't the people in a position to spend district resources and sign contracts with vendors. At a fundamental level, this puts distance between the companies and the teachers. #2...when it comes to purchasing #edtech focus is usually on the tech and not the education. So your tech personnel is usually more involved because the tech needs to work before it can be used to teach.
  
  
• Striking a Balance
  • So how do we find that balance? A major obstacle is that teachers, and I've been guilty of this, don't always see the big picture and have that birds-eye view. Think data security, FERPA, & COPPA.
  • Schools and districts can easily involve teachers by running pilot programs before widespread adoption and implementation. Let some teachers kick the tires with their students and get feedback. This makes perfect sense because at a basic level people want to be heard and valued and if technology is just being mandated then, teachers don't feel heard or valued.
  • Speaking of mandates...that's not always the best idea. Making everyone use one specific tool isn't always what's good for everyone. Choice and options are powerful.
  
  
• Who Gets a Say?
  • Typically it's people out of the classroom who have the most say. Sometimes that's completely valid. There are plenty of organizations, certifications, and degrees that can give a person the knowledge to make those decisions and have a lot of pull in the conversations.
  • But if a person is all books smart and not street smart - and by street smart I mean 5 or more years of classroom experience - then their opinion and POV don't hold as much water - in my opinion.
  • Technology can make a teacher's life easier but it will never replace us and there is no magic pill that will solve all edtech issues. So beware of those that sell this brand of #edtech snake oil.
  
  
• Feeling Left Behind
  • Another key challenge is that schools and districts often make purchases meant to support all teachers, even though the needs of teachers vary widely by subject matter and grade level.
  • Hello Phys. Ed. Teachers!
  • Can you think of another subject area that benefits less from edtech in your district?
  • It might even be true that there is more technology available to assist a PE teacher than in any other subject area.
  • Could you imagine a Peloton lab in your middle or hs where students could differentiate their fitness based on their individual health goals and needs?
  • We have the ability easily collect health and fitness data but when was the last time the phys ed dept was involved in the edtech decision process?
  • We're leaving some teachers behind.
  
  
• Collaboration From the Start
  • How do we get collaboration from the start?
  • Well if you're in a small school setting then it's really easy to get everyone's opinion.
  • But what if you're in a district with 12 schools, 1500 teachers, and over 10,000 students? Or a district that's larger than that?
  • Teacher buy-in has to come from the ground up.
  • Every content area needs to have a voice and advocate for its needs.
  • School and district officials need to work with classroom teachers and talk honestly about their edtech needs.
  • We have committees for just about everything so if there isn't one, there should be an # edtech-related committee in each school that has a seat at the table and is valued in the edtech selection process.
  
  

What is the edtech selection process like for you? What role do you get to play in the process where you are?

• Canva Magic Shortcuts
  • Letter B to blur the current slide
  • Letter C for confetti rain
  • Letter D for a drumroll animation
  • Letter M for a mic drop animation
  • Letter O for floating bubbles
  • Letter Q for quiet
  • Letter U for a curtain call animation
  • Any number (0-9) for a timer (1 for one minute, 2 for two minutes, etc.)
  • You can also press Shift + / or ? on your keyboard to open the Magic Shortcuts menu.
  
  
• Twitter Question
  • Chris Lister (@Mr_Lister) to @houseofedtech Hey Chris, I'm a teacher-librarian in a k-5 school and a beginner podcaster with kids in school. Last school year we created an internal podcast, but this year we feel like we can branch out. What free service would you use when interviewing remote guests?
  • Zencastr
  • Podcastle
  
  

• Ashley Gable, Birmingham, AL - https://twitter.com/AshleyGableEDU
• Technology Integration Specialist, DLP Coach, Lover of literature, organization, & crafting...Passionate about Teaching & Learning

Welcome Mike Brilla and his podcast, The Inspired Educator, to the Education Podcast Network

Chrome Recommendations

• Tab Groups
  • To Save - chrome://flags search GROUPS tab group save ENABLE then RELAUNCH then right click on the tab group and toggle SAVE GROUP
  
  
• Live Captions
  • Create Captions for any A/V playing in browser
  • Menu > Settings > Accessibility > Toggle on Live Caption (ENG only)
  
  
• Search Open Tabs
  • Have a lot of tabs open? Hello AJ and most teachers I know...
  • Down Arrow Upper Right (left of Minimize) > Type a keyword to help get to the tab you're looking for
  
  

Have other Chrome recommendations? Send them to me!

I was listening to a recent episode of Simon Sinek's podcast, A Bit of Optimism, and his guest was Francesca Hogi, a love and life coach. As a love coach, she teaches single people how to transcend their romantic challenges and find true love. As a life coach, she teaches rebels and seekers to love their lives truly.

You might be thinking, "What do a love and life coach have to do with education technology?" or "Is everything OK in your marriage Chris?" Stick with me. AND...everything is fine with Katelyn and me.

• Dating is an Experiment / EdTech is an Experiment
• Dating has been revolutionized by technology / Education is being revolutionized by technology
• Better dates will lead to better relationships / Trying more technology and finding what works for you will lead to better integration
• No bad dates / No bad tech - what's your approach? Approach all your tech with the best intentions and you will grow when you use technology. Your students will grow each time they work with technology. You will learn what tools don't meet your needs and you will develop a healthy technology integration mindset.

During Simon and Francesca's conversation, she talked about how to be a better dater and go on better dates. This directly mimics your approach to your relationship with education technology and what it should look like.

• Nikki Pressley - https://twitter.com/NikkiPressley16
• Jonathan Ayer - https://twitter.com/jayer18

EdCampNJ 2022 is taking place on November 19, 2022!

2022 House of #EdTech Smackdown! Coming December 18, 2022! Get your submission to me by December 9, 2022.

Toucan is a Chrome extension that helps you learn new languages as you browse the internet, without the need for flashcards or transition tools. It's quite a genius tool; as you browse, Toucan will automatically translate certain words in the language that you're trying to learn. So, let's say most of an article is in English, but some words are in Spanish or French. When you hover over these words, you'll see the transition and meaning. This way, you can learn new words in the language and the context of how they should be used in sentences. Toucan is free but limited to Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, and Italian.

What is meant by digital equity?

What are the three pillars of digital equity?

Why is digital equity important? Why do we need digital equity?

What are the benefits of digital equity in education?

How can I promote digital equity in my classroom?

1. Seek first to understand
2. Try it out!
3. Create a tech equity vision with your students
4. (Re)consider your homework policies

Deleting & Adding Technology. I've deleted Clubhouse.

While I previously published an episode about the benefits of Clubhouse for Educators I just don't feel the same way.

• Convert images with Ezgif
  • Ezgif is a fast and simple way of converting images between formats. It can handle GIF, JPG, PNG, and WebP, and you can either upload the files from your computer or point Ezgif towards them on the web. There are also options for cropping and rotating images.
  • FREE - https://ezgif.com/
  
  
• Edit PDFs with Smallpdf
  • Viewing PDFs is pretty straightforward no matter what platform you're on, but editing them is something else. Smallpdf takes the hassle out of the process, with a variety of features that include letting you drop in images and text and add your digital signature.
  • Smallpdf is free to use, but you can get more features and unlimited edits for $12 a month.
  
  
• Set an alarm with Kuku Klok
  • Whatever you need to set an alarm for, Kuku Klok can help. Just pick the time for the alarm to go off, then choose a sound (cockerels and trumpets are two of the options), and you're all set.
  • Kuku Klok is free to use.
  
  
• Get artistic with MS Paint
  • Microsoft Paint is one of the most well-known computer utilities of all time. MS Paint is the faithful remake of the program and runs entirely in your browser. You can get at it from any Windows or macOS computer, and access all the familiar tools—including the spray can and the paint bucket.
  • MS Paint is free to use.
  
  
• Take notes with Online Notepad
  • Online Notepad lets you quickly jot down anything you don't want to forget inside your browser: It could be a to-do list, an idea for your next novel, or an address. You can keep your pad open on a new tab, but you can also save it to your disk if you need to.
  • Online Notepad is free to use.
  
  

Over the last century and in recent years, technology has promised to revolutionize how we teach, dramatically alter the relationship between teachers and students, and fundamentally change how students learn and work together.

In many ways, technology has profoundly changed education.

Technology is a powerful tool that can support and transform education in many ways, from making it easier for teachers to create instructional materials to enabling new ways for people to learn and work together.

Israa Lulu - https://twitter.com/edu_metaverse - https://www.edu-metaverse.net/

She's a passionate educator, dedicated Leader, and certified Tech coach and trainer.

Israa believes learning never stops and has always been an avid learner who craves knowledge of the world at large and works tirelessly to develop as an educator and leader. Israa's passion is to support teachers in building their capacity with impactful technology use and innovative teaching practices and ideas to transform education.

• Tisha Poncio - Former classroom teacher, Digital Learning Specialist at Wakelet (ep. 182)
• Rick Butterworth - Rick manages engineering and operations & is a founding member at Wakelet.
• https://www.chrisnesi.com/wakeletresources

Mike Brilla - Does anyone know of a script you can run to take single Google Slides from one folder & quickly combine them into one slide deck? I want kids to create their own slide, turn it in on Classroom & then create a class deck from there.

9 More Google Drive Tips!

• Bypass the Gmail Attachment Limit Using Drive
• Convert All Drive Uploads to Work With Docs
• Upload Pics to Search Text
• Reveal All Keyboard Shortcuts
• Check All the Search Options
• Color Code Your Organizational Files
• Get Google Drive Apps
• Quick Search Drive From the Omnibox
• Block the Drive Spam

Kirsten Thompson joined me for a conversation about Microsoft for Education, Digital Equity, & Social Media for Teachers!

Click here to check out the TikTok we were talking about at the end of our conversation.

Katrina Haynes submitted a voicemail about Wakelet. I previously talked about Wakelet with Tisha Poncio on episode 182.

Sarah Yunker - She's on Twitter to find new ideas and inspiration that will help her become a great teacher!

It's all about how you treat people.

9 Google Drive Tips

1. Shortcuts for Simple Access
2. Move Files Via Cut and Paste
3. Get a Quick Link
4. Install Drive on the Desktop
5. Added File Types to the Bookmark Bar
6. Drag and Drop Into Drive
7. Access Drive Files Offline
8. Use Offline Files While Mobile
9. Save Anything You Find to Google Drive

Daniela Romero is always looking for ways to channel her creativity and ways to make a difference in her community. She has taught all over the world and she's currently a grade 5 teacher and future after-school Spanish Club Lead!

Topics:

• How Dani got into education
• Role of technology in her elementary classroom
• Why she creates content on social media in Spanish

Jesus Morales (Email) - I believe I have heard in your podcasts that you are not a big fan of Anchor.FM. Can you give me some insight on why? I like Twitter Spaces, but the downloading part is a bit time-consuming and not easy to do. I feel with Anchor.FM our team can do a live show, bring people in as guest hosts, and still easily download the file. What other program do you recommend similar to these two?

My response: Check out Flowjin.com to archive and easily download your Twitter Spaces.

Miriam Richard - Digital Learning Specialist | Leveraging Technology to ensure learner success! Ulrich Intermediate and Krahn Elementary | Klein ISD

Jen Kosior - Google Certified Coach | #GoogleEC | Dynamic Learning Project Coach | Everfi Teacher Ambassador | Disney Addict | Mom | Runner | Owner ADC Publishing & Design

I spent the last week as the PA Announcer at the Monmouth County Fair (NJ) and I was inspired by something in the BMX bike stunt show that I listened to and watched about 20 times over the course of five days.

Amanda Fox is an award-winning teacher from Kentucky by way of Georgia! Amanda was a recipient of the 2016 ISTE Emerging Leader Award, recognized as a PBS Digital innovator for her initiatives in enhancing student learning with technology, has also served as President of the Young Educator Network for ISTE, and received the President's Volunteer Award.

We primarily discussed her new book, The Canva Classroom: 42 Ultimate Answers to Templates That Rocket Student Engagement (2022).

Resources Mentioned:

• https://genial.ly/
• https://www.wizer.me/
• https://www.pixton.com/
• https://www.bitmoji.com/
• https://giphy.com/
• wakelet
• book creator
• peardeck
• flip
• https://publuu.com/
• https://quivervision.com/

Connect with Amanda via her bio below.

Summer Wineteer - 5th-grade Teacher at Connect Academy a K-8 virtual school blending together on-campus & online edu. - M.Ed in Curriculum & Instruction fro the University of San Diego, Cert. Google Level 2 | ISTE & CUE member | Minecraft Global Mentor

This episode is being released during the Summer of 2022 and I've given myself permission to focus on so many other things besides my profession.

Here are some easy #edtech recommendations that you may find valuable at home or at school.

• Make My Drive Fun - https://makemydrivefun.com/ - Shows you the route you can take and fun things you can do along the way!
• https://www.iconsmania.com/ - All IconsMania's icons and illustrations are optimized to be edited and used by non-professionals, this means that you don't need professional design software to customize them. All you need is a free Microsoft or Google email account!
• sketch.metademolab.com - Animate a 2D drawing!
• https://www.lego.com/en-us/service/buildinginstructions/ & https://www.bricklink.com/v2/main.page
• https://studio.polotno.com/
• https://qrtoon.com/ - Turn your boring QR codes into works of art!
• https://my90stv.com/
• https://neal.fun/life-stats/

• Kelley Andrews
• Loves Blended Learning, Flipped Classroom, all things Edtech, Science, STEAM and STEM, MakerSpace, and Project-Based Learning! Kelley teaches 5th grade, but her passions are not limited to a grade level.
• https://kelleyandrews.mystrikingly.com/

On June 2, 2022, I hosted a Twitter Space about podcasting in schools. The conversation is packed with great questions from the great people who participated.

Check out episode 201 - Starting a Podcast Club or Network

• What inspired their love and passion for coding?
• What inspired them to start and continue creating Mission Encodeable?
• What have they learned from their experience?
• What is the future of Mission Encodeable?
• What might the future hold for each of them because of this project?

Check out Mission Encodeable!

Updates to Google for Education Coming Soon!

• Create screencasts and cast to a big screen with Chromebooks
• Adaptive learning enhancements in Google Classroom
• Better interconnectivity and efficiency with Google Meet

• PDF DRIVE - Get access to over 78 million Ebooks!
• My Noise - myNoise creates beautiful noises to mask the noises you don't want to hear: your chatty colleagues, tinnitus, or even your inner voice when you can't shut it down! The concept is simple, works extremely well, and does not require expensive noise-canceling headphones. Thanks to its unique audio engineering, myNoise sets the standard among background sounds.

Join my next Twitter Space on Thursday, June 23, 2022, @ 10 PM Eastern. I will lead a conversation on Coding in Education and want you to join me!

Set a reminder here!

Noah King sent in a great voicemail as a follow-up to episode 201.

Check out Descript

Noah also hosts the Math Club Podcast.

Rick Butterworth - Founding member of Wakelet.

• With 10 years of experience in UX & UI, Rick is passionate about innovating and evolving how users interact with online applications. Founding designer at Wakelet and the first person to join Jamil in the company.
• https://wakelet.com/@rick
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-butterworth-044b8022
• https://twitter.com/r1ck11

Have you ever felt inferior? Have you felt like you're just not doing enough and you could be doing so much more? Of course, you have, you're an educator.

Some people make a living telling us we're not doing enough. I also previously stated on the show that you and I work in a profession where you're hired based on your potential but evaluated on your shortcomings and faults. This shouldn't be the case but that's an EdTech Thought for another day.

You and I are doing all we can at any given moment. Do we have the desire to do more and be more in our role? Sure! There are times when I want to do more but I can't. I would love to podcast more, create tutorials on a regular basis, live stream more, and be an even more recognized and influential figure in the world of education.

I would love to do more at my high school, teach more classes at Rutgers, coach more games for my kids, and have more date nights with my wife.

When I reflect I do have it pretty good. Balance in my life does exist.

I am doing enough.

Twitter Spaces - Think Clubhouse but for Twitter. I've not so secretly been looking for Twitter chats to evolve since I fell in love with podcasting and audio.

I think that hosting a space alongside a Twitter chat should be what more people are doing because I know first-hand how engaging audio can be.

How about a bonus edtech rec? Spaces aren't the only way to share and use audio on Twitter. Did you know you can share audio in a tweet from directly in the app? Go to compose a new tweet and to the left of the camera button, you can see a button with vertical purple lines. Tap that button and you will be able to record audio that will be attached to your tweet which can also contain your standard 280 characters.

How to Start a Podcast Club or Network At Your School

Considerations:

• Location
• Hardware
• Software
• What to podcast/broadcast about?
• How do you connect podcasting to other areas of your school?

In January 2022 I launched the Zebra Podcast Network at my school. We live stream the 'Zebra Morning Show' each school day from 7:15-7:30 AM and we stream 'Zebra Drivetime' Tuesdays from 2:45-3:30 PM.

Click here for all my podcast gear recommendations.

Check out The Pod Journal

• Chelsea Best - https://twitter.com/chechels23
  • Does anyone use or know of a wireless document camera? I have a teacher that wants to move around her camera in the room. The one she loves is 1K so probably a pipe dream but would love some alternatives!
  
  

Take it from me that risk-taking in education is WORTH it!

Starting the House of #EdTech has transformed my life and I am in debited to the podcast for all it's provided me,

My go edtech tools for teaching and learning

• Teaching
  • Anything Google - Slides, Docs, Keep
  • EdPuzzle
  • Flipgrid
  
  
• PD
  • Twitter
  • Podcasts
  • Podcasting - Create & Consume
  
  

• Helps connect your students to the real world: Take your students on a virtual tour of Grand Canyon National Park. Walk your students through the corridors and history of the White House.
  • Technology allows you to remove the physical barriers of the classroom, offering your students a way to connect the curriculum with the real world.
  
  
• Prepare students for the workforce: To thrive in the 21st-century workplace, people need to have more than just a working knowledge of certain technological tools (electronic calendars, web pages, teleconferencing, electronic whiteboards, etc.). By integrating these technologies into the regular curriculum, institutions are ensuring that their students are prepared for the modern workplace.
• Encourages collaboration: Many educational tools offer a variety of functionalities that promote collaboration. For example, virtual meeting tools provide a way for students to hold meetings with classmates and anyone from anywhere in the world. The Google Suite has been promoting sharing and collaboration since its inception and students can easily share and edit projects with each other.
• Supports different types of learners: No two students learn the exact same way, but with technology, we can address diversity in learning styles. An effective blending of tools and differentiation can create a great learning environment where our students can and will learn.
• Access information more easily: Technology makes it easier for students to find information quickly and accurately. Search engines and e-books are replacing traditional textbooks. Instead of personal tutors, students can get one-on-one help through educational videos – anytime and anywhere – learning is available.
• Teaches students how to be responsible online: With social media sites o-plenty, most students are already digital citizens to some degree - especially after the last couple of years. Going forward, by incorporating technology into the classroom, students will continue to learn how to be responsible in the digital world. Your class and our schools have become a microcosm of the broader digital landscape where students can practice how to communicate, search, and engage with other digital citizens.
• Adds a fun factor to learning: Outside the classroom, students use technology in all aspects of their lives. Within the classroom, technology can make learning more fun and exciting. Tech-infused game-based learning allows you to deliver lessons via interactive games. Who doesn't enjoy playing games?
• Offers A Wider Choice Of Materials That Can Be Accessed Easily: There is an endless amount of educational technology that is available to offer your students to meet their learning needs. EdTech helps them develop the right kind of skills and knowledge so that they can become good professionals in their chosen field.
• Learners who are able to communicate better through technological means will also perform better academically as well as in work settings because communication skills are very important when you want to get your point across effectively.
• The internet has become such an integral part of our lives that we hardly find people who do not use it on a daily basis. In today's world, it is essential for students to be able to access the internet from anywhere at any time so that they can do their assignments and research without having to travel all over a place or wait for a particular time when they can do so.
  • Using educational technology helps learners in this regard because it allows them to connect with the internet even when they are in a classroom, school, or at home.
  
  
• Students Become Active Participants in the Learning Process by Using Technology in the Classroom.
• Teachers Who Become Experts at Using Technology in the Classroom Can Advance Their Careers.

Connect with me!

You, the listener.

My guests!

Me.

What is the problem with technology in education?

Is technology in schools good or bad?

What are the shortcomings of technology in early childhood education?

You and I think differently about these questions and others I pose in the episode. Thank goodness!

However, the problem is that these questions the reasons I share do exist in the world and some decision-makers and educators believe this.

We have to work hard to show the value of what works in our classrooms and schools.

It will get easier and harder all at the same time. But it's worth it.

I look forward to celebrating 200 episodes with you next time.

This weekend I spent time with Miles who recently turned 10 and he and I watched Back to the Future I & II. I know these movies inside and out and it was a true joy to see him experience the time-traveling adventures of Marty McFly and Doc Brown.

We've all faced our Biff Tannen's and gotten glimpses of hoverboards, but it's actually one of the last things that Doc Says to Marty and Jennifer at the end of BTTF 3. Which we can certainly apply to the future of education...

Previous #EdTech Final Fours

• 2014
• 2015
• 2016
• 2017
• 2018
• 2019
• 2020
• 2021

2022 Champion

• ScreenPal from Screencast-o-Matic - Video where you type
• Say it clearly the first time with quick, authentic video messages. Easily record videos from any text box or comment field in your favorite browser-based apps, then share. Less typing, fewer meetings, better communication. Say it with ScreenPal!
• ScreenPal works where you do. Click in any text field or comment box in your favorite browser-based apps, record your message, and share. Seamless, efficient, asynchronous communication through video messaging. https://screencast-o-matic.com/integrations

Share your successes and failures so we can learn and grow together!

Heather Brooks - Elementary Librarian, Reading Teacher, Doctoral Student, Loves Baseball, Music, and Travel

• A First-Grade Perspective of #EdTech - HoET117
• My Second Grader Has A Podcast - HoET137
• Check out our podcast Knock Knock Who's There?

Thank you Jay Strumwasser for supporting the podcast through Buy Me A Soda!

The House of #EdTech has surpassed 1,000,000 total downloads! Thank you for listening and sharing the podcast with others as I try to help as many people as possible through the conversations and ideas I share!

A Choice.

I recently had the opportunity to interview for an administrative position in another district. By all accounts, the job title was perfect - not that titles are important - and the job description was only missing my picture.

ThemeSpark by EdCourage - Fast, easy K-12 teacher tools to improve student learning with the curriculum. Make standards-based rubrics in less than a minute. Choose from Common Core ELA and Math, NGSS, C3, Core Art & 21st Century standards.

Toby Price was recently fired from his role as an Elementary School Vice-Principal for reading the book 'I Need A New Butt' to second graders.

I believe this is wrong and we have a real problem.

I share a New York Times article about what happened to Topy Price.

Emilee Phillippi - Intellectually curious. Passionate teacher and analyst. Lover of all things OSINT.

• WYSIWYG with Joe Sanfelippo and Tony Sinanis - HoET044
• TikTok in Education for Educators - HoET149

Social Media Platforms Your District Should be Using

1. Facebook
2. Instagram
3. Twitter
4. TikTok
5. YouTube

Resources Mentioned:

• Zebra Podcast Network
• ZPN on Instagram

Click here to see my example.

Podcastle records high-quality audio, interviews, & allows you to edit audio in your browser. Users can conduct remote interviews, edit and enhance - online, fast, easy and it's fun!

Get incredible sound quality, an unrivaled user experience, and professional results right after the lecture recording is finished. Don't use multiple software anymore.

If you have students that are absent consider creating a video each day to send to all your absent students letting them know what they missed in class that day.

I have students in an A/B block schedule so I make a video that's good for two days.

I BCC my absent students via email and I repeat myself all year about the need to check their email if they miss class for any reason.

ReflectED Podcast LIVE - Success Isn't Linear

7taps Update! - VIDEO UPLOADS —now, in addition to our AI-video tool, you can also upload your own videos to use in your courses (yes, even if you're on the Free Edition)!

OpenBoard - Interactive whiteboard for schools and universities

Article: OpenBoard: An Open Source Interactive Whiteboard for Educators

LinkedIn Article: Education NFTs Will Replace Diplomas and Resumes

Author: Beau Brannan - LinkedIn

Highlights:

• Education could become more "collectible" and valued. Institutional education would arguably improve because the individual classes would matter more as opposed to being bundled into a degree and hidden.

Alysa Hardin - Digital Learning Specialist from Klein Independent School District (TX).

• Twitter: @mrnesi @HouseofEdTech
• Instagram: @houseofedtech
• TikTok @cjnesi @houseofedtech
• Youtube https://chrisnesi.com/youtube
• Text @hoetpod to 81010
• Awesome Supporters
• Buy Me a Coffee

Get Dirty!

Check out the Zebra Podcast Network

Listen to the Zebra Morning Show

What is meant by microlearning?

What are the benefits of microlearning?

What are the limitations of microlearning?

Microlearning Best Practices

Which microlearning platform should I use?

• 7taps.com - Microlearning made easy. Create mobile‑first courses, summaries, follow‑ups in 15 minutes.

Send your stories my way!

Anna Hanrahan - Following a 20-year career as an elementary school teacher, STEM coordinator, and Gifted specialist, she is now the Education Initiatives Specialist with Trafera.

Anna's goal is to continue to educate herself in the world of EdTech to help facilitate for the excellent teachers out there to do even better with the resources they have in their classrooms.

2021 House of #EdTech Smackdown

• Camila Oliveira - All In Learning
• Stephanie Howell - This or That Choice Boards
• Belle Hughes - Lumio by SMART & Classkick
• Abby Berk - Lumio by SMART
• Clark Fraser - Weebly
• Megan Gagnier & Alyssa Brower - Quizizz & Google Forms
• Haley Dietz - Blooket
• Savannah Remenaric - The Bitmoji Classroom
• Patrick Stalter - Google Forms
• Jacob Vannoy - Google Forms
• Ryan Gibson - Google Forms
• Bryon Carpenter - Momentum, Extensity, Clipboard History Pro
• Cameron Ross - Mote
• Carlos Garza - G RTF
• Chris Stuchko - YouTube
• Ryan Gutsch - Google Slides for Daily Agenda & Planboard.Chalk.com
• Linda Hummer - Google Slides for animation
• Nate Nagele - Google Docs background coloring, Google Slides Theme Builder, Color Coding & Emoji
• Anthony Arno - Kahoot!
• Mel A - Blooket, Desmos, Mote

Fads, Trends, and Snake Oil

You're going to start seeing, and I'm seeing it already, people who are going to claim Metaverse and NFT expertise in the education space. Don't let these become just more buzzwords in education.

Do your homework if you're truly interested in learning more. I believe that both of these stand to make a serious impact in the future of all humanity. Yes, ALL OF HUMANITY. But we're not there yet.

Read articles. Listen to podcasts. Find out about the Metaverse and NFTs outside of the scope of education.

Will there be a benefit in education? I believe we have ways to go and I don't want to see you get sold a bill of goods or find yourself with a basket full of snake oil.

What are your thoughts on the Metaverse and NFTs in education? Let's have a conversation and learn together.

Glide - Create powerful apps and websites, without code.

If you can make a spreadsheet in Google Sheets you can create your own mobile app. Sound too good to be true? It's not.

Ways to use Glide in education:

1. Create a mobile study guide: You or your students could create an app that lists each section or unit of your curriculum. In each section, you can provide videos, podcasts, or simply link to additional documents for review.
2. Create a mobile version of school handbooks: When parents have a question about your school, their first instinct is probably to pick up their phones to search your school's website or to call the office. A mobile version of your school's handbook could make it easy for parents to quickly find the answers to frequently asked questions.
3. Create a guide to your community: Are you looking for a community service project for your middle school or high school students? If so, consider having them develop a guide to the highlights of your community.
4. Develop a mobile reporting system: Do you have students or parents using Google Forms for logging information about multiple goals like independent reading, outdoor play, or behavior goals? If so, consider placing links to all of those forms in one convenient app. You'd do this by placing the links to your Forms in the columns in your spreadsheet before publishing it through Glide.
5. Room Use Schedule: Do you work in a school that has more teachers than classrooms? Is it a guessing game as to who is using which room when. Having an app that can make it easy to find out who is using which rooms at which times would be amazing! With Glide you could create that kind of app.

Rachel Langenhorst is a technology integrationist and instructional coach in Rock Valley, Iowa. A 27-year veteran in education, she prides herself on being a change agent and life-long learner. Rachel empowers others through collaboration, creation, and connection. She speaks and instructs throughout the Midwest, focusing her efforts on technology integration strategies, social media, Internet safety, and effective teaching practices. Graduate-level instructor North Western College and University of Sioux Falls & Sr. Education Specialist for the Mayo Clinic.

GoBoard - a free online tool that combines video chatting and an interactive canvas. Students can simply create a GoBoard on the site, share the link with a friend and start learning. GoBoard was designed to help students collaborate one-on-one, on virtually any topic. All in browser with nothing to download.

Leena Marie Saleh - The EdTech Guru - a former classroom teacher with 10+ years of classroom experience. She has always been extremely passionate about technology and the role it can play in the classroom. Leena believes that providing students with critical skills for our future is both vital and important to provide a more equitable opportunity for ALL learners.

• @leenamariesaleh
• The EdTech Guru on YouTube

EdTech Truth Bombs

• Tips for EdTech Coaches
• Tips for and the value of being connected
• Leena's YouTube strategy

Katrina Harris - 4th Grade Teacher | #pencilpusher | Outley Elementary (Houston) | #year7 | Certified in 5 states #HBCU Alumna | #SigmaGammaRho Educator

NatGeo MapMaker - Create, Share, and Print Custom Maps

Educational Duct Tape Podcast - Google Earth and other Geo Tools with the Partial Credit Podcast Guys

3 Ways to Reduce Technology Overload

1. Check-in With Students and Families
2. Take Stock of All Technology Used in Your Class
3. Provide Balance

Technology is a great asset in the world. It has opened many doors and new opportunities for teaching and learning. However, educational technology is never more important than education. Teaching and learning have to take the forefront and cannot live in the shadow of technology. We need to be mindful of the technology we use and require our students to use. This will help us to keep teaching and learning moving even in the most uncertain of times.

November Question of the Month - What are you thankful for?

Thank you to Chris Stuchko, Daniela Romero, Craig, Emma, and Amy

• 9th Grade Experience Podcast
• Ingles Podcast
• School Librarians United Podcast

Jay Billy - Father, Educator, Author, Speaker - Proud Principal of Ben Franklin Elementary School.

Lead with Culture: What Really Matters in Our Schools (A Lead Like a PIRATE Guide)

There's more than one way.

I'm often asked for recommendations about the best edtech tools. I was recently interviewed on a soon-to-be-launched podcast and once again this question came up and I don't know if I've ever shared my thoughts in detail on this question or topic.

Does this mean you need to learn and become an expert in every edtech tool out there? No. But always be open to the existence of other tools for your benefit and the benefit of your students.

What do you think? What would you like to see with regard to what tools we learn and share? What are your thoughts on edtech company ambassador programs? Maybe I'm not seeing the benefits of being a volunteer cheerleader. Let me know.

In episode 126 I previously talked about select Chrome extensions that teachers should be leveraging. The following extensions from that episode are still super awesome:

• Bitmoji
• Nimbus Screenshot and Screen Recorder
• Screencastify
• AdblockPlus & Adblock for YouTube
• Grammarly

Here are some of the Chrome extensions I think educators should be using:

• Mote
• Print-Friendly & PDF
• Record to Slides
• Web Paint
• Auto Text Expander
• App for Instagram
• Random Student Generator
• Earth View
• Homey
• Giphy for Chrome
• Difree

Here's the question of the month for November...

• What are you thankful for? In life? In your career?
• Share your thoughts by Friday, October 29, 2021
• Feedback
• Voicemail

Shout out to Dan Hacker on Clubhouse!

Thank you to Bryon Carpenter for including his thoughts about 186 on his podcast Fresh Air At Five.

Have we not learned our lessons?

50 SEL Prompts for Middle and High School

Student engagement can take on a different meaning or focus depending on the context of your goals. For some, the goal may be to understand early on what fundamentally motivates students, whether intrinsically or extrinsically, to acquire new knowledge and skills. For others, the focus may be relative to a specific lesson or activity during which capturing and retaining student attention "in the moment" is the most immediate concern.

Here are six factors to consider in designing lessons to help increase student engagement behaviorally, emotionally, and cognitively.

1. MAKE IT MEANINGFUL
2. FOSTER A SENSE OF COMPETENCE
3. PROVIDE AUTONOMY SUPPORT
4. EMBRACE COLLABORATIVE LEARNING
5. ESTABLISH POSITIVE TEACHER-STUDENT RELATIONSHIPS
6. PROMOTE MASTERY ORIENTATIONS

October Question: What collaboration tools are you and/or your students loving?

Stefan Troutman - Padlet

November Question: What are you thankful for? In life? In your career?

Share your thoughts by Friday, October 29, 2021 I will include responses in episode 189 on November 7, 2021

September 30th - International Podcast Day - SHARE THIS PODCAST!

Get Creative with Audio - QR Codes and Audio Sharing

Check out https://www.qr-code-generator.com/

Floop - Floop is a web app that saves teachers time and helps students see the value of feedback. Collect images, PDFs, and Google Docs from students. Leave text and audio comments that lead to conversations.

Floop is freemium. They have a basic free plan as well as a premium option and they are also willing to work with entire districts on larger scale pricing and rollout.

The only limit on the free plan is the number of active assignments you can have which is limited to 10.

Audio in School - https://www.weareteachers.com/best-podcasts-for-kids/

• Elementary School
  • But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids
  • Tumble
  • Brains On!
  
  
• Middle School
  • The Radio Adventures of Eleanor Amplified
  • StarTalk Radio
  • Stuff You Missed in History Class
  
  
• High School
  • Adult Ish – Youth Radio
  • Freakonomics Radio
  • Criminal
  
  

Podcasting In School

• 2017 - Episode 96, Episode 97, Episode 98
• Gear - chrisnesi.com/podcastgear
  • Mics & accessories
  • Recorders
  
  
• Software & Tools
  • Audacity, Audition, https://audiomass.co/
  • How to Install Audacity on Chromebook
  
  
• What to podcast about?
  • ANYTHING!
  
  

In episode 185 I talked a lot about collaboration so I want to know - What are yours and your student's favorite tool for collaboration? Why?

Submit your thoughts by Friday, October 1, 2021, and I will be able to include them in my October 3rd, release.

Benefits of Collaborative Class Notes

1. Collaborate in real-time
2. Interlink class notes and other documents
3. Create fully responsive documents
4. Create class notes visible to yourself and your classmates
5. Track engagement on shared class notes with classmates, teachers, etc.

How to Make Your Class Notes Interactive?

1. Weblinks
2. PDFs, Presentations
3. Video content
4. Cloud Documents

Check out BIT @ https://bit.ai

Scott Chandler submitted a voice message that is the basis of this episode's topic.

Scott asked the following questions:

• How to create an environment, at the school and district level, that is professionally rich for the application of technology and learning and teaching?
• What do we expect from our administrators?
• What are our professional development expectations?
• How can we better collect or choose resources for instructional use?

Please share your thoughts in the comments below!

September Questions of the Month:

• What are you looking forward to trying in the coming months in your classroom or school?

Thank you to Nathan Nagele and Craig from Ingles Podcast for submitting responses.

Nate shared craft.do

October Questions of the Month:

• What are yours and your student's favorite tool for collaboration? Why?

Submit responses by 9/24

Hillary Umholtz - Passionate Future Educator, Tarleton State '22, EC-6th, ESL, All level SPED major

Amy Marquez - NEW LISTENER! She's passionate about technology integration and building a lifelong love of learning and literacy. She's a high school librarian and instructional technology trainer.

Stop Posting Students' Faces on Social Media - inspired by @thedaringenglishteacher on Instagram.

Checkout her original post.

From @emilyy.nicholee on TikTok

Clean and bring new life to an older whiteboard

1. Clean it as best you can
2. For hard to clean areas use a magic eraser
3. Apply WD40 with a clean rag to your entire WB

If you're still not sure about TT go listen to episode 149 - TikTok in Education for Educators

Tech Tips to Start the School Year

1. Make friends with the tech team at your school and in the district.
2. Learn how to use new features in your Learning Management System
3. Write down your passwords
4. Try One New App and/or Strategy
5. Be Intentional About Reflecting

What are you looking forward to trying in the coming months in your classroom or school?

Submit responses by 8/27

Leena Saleh - The EdTech Guru

Leena is a former educator with more than 10 years of classroom experience and is extremely passionate about the world of technology and how it transfers into the classroom to make our students #workforce ready. She believes that providing students the skills for our future is absolutely vital and is important to creating a more equitable opportunity for ALL students. She also believes that exposure creates opportunity.

Leena has worked with hundreds of Educators, Thought Leaders, and Edtech Companies guiding them through this next 'era' of Education.

Join Leena on YT as she explores hot topics in the world of education, tech tips, and even a bit of career guidance.

https://twitter.com/leenamariesaleh https://linktr.ee/leenamariesaleh

1. Make money
2. Keep you in shape
3. Keep you creative
4. Build your knowledge
5. Evolve your mindset

What are your hobbies? Leave a comment below.

The following are tech tips and websites you should explore as the 2021 school year gets underway (or anytime).

• 4 New Google Docs Features
• Clear space in your Google account
• Mecabricks.com
• MyColor.space
• Animatron.com
• Jitter.video
• printfriendly.com
• justdeleteme.xyz
• pixelhunter.io
• FREE Canva for educators!

What are you looking forward to trying in the coming months in your classroom or school?

Submit responses by August 27, 2021, by clicking Send a Voicemail on the right of this page.

• Erin Cummings
• Marilena Neocleous

Tisha Poncio, Wakelet's Digital Learning Specialist, joins me for a conversation about the true power of Wakelet as a teaching and learning tool for teachers and students.

Resources:

• Tisha's Wakelet page
• Tisha's Wakelet Portfolio Rubric

How are you using Wakelet?

Pam Hubler - https://wakelet.com/@specialtechie

Amy and Dyann Storer

• https://wakelet.com/@techamys
• https://wakelet.com/@techCAREtwins

Gloriann Heikes - https://wakelet.com/@GloriannHeikes

Laura Krenicki - https://wakelet.com/@laura_krenicki

• Lemonade Learning Podcast
  • Brianna Hodges is committed to helping educators positively transform the story of school. Pulling from her experiences as a marketing & PR executive, English teacher, district and central office administrator, Bri shares how story serves as the foundation of learning, the cornerstone of culture, and the catalyst to transformation.
    • https://twitter.com/bhodgesEDU
    
    
  • Lainie Rowell is an educator, author, podcaster, and international speaker who specializes in working with other educators to find innovative and sustainable ways to transform teaching and learning. Her areas of expertise include online/blended learning, designing innovative learning experiences, professional learning, and community building.
    • https://twitter.com/lainierowell
    
    
  
  
• A refreshing look at learning, this podcast shares stories and high-impact strategies for educators. Join us for a glass!
• #LemonadeLearning

ISTE LIVE 2021 is June 26-30, 2021 and I will be live streaming my Daily Recap Live Show on June 26, 28, 30, 2021 at 10 PM ET - chrisnesi.com/youtube

Summer Break To-Do List

1. Read those books on your nightstand
2. Reconnect with friends
3. Reconnect with family
4. Make time for that hobby
5. Get outside

Project Based Learning: Real Questions. Real Answers. How to Unpack PBL and Inquiry by Ross Cooper and Erin Murphy

The Startup Teacher Playbook by Michelle Blanchet and Darcy Bakkegard

Greenroom by Spotify

• Greenroom for iOS
• Greenroom for Android

Here are some great apps and tech tools you should dive into this summer:

• Slides Mania
• Peardeck or Nearpod
• Microsoft Sway
• Google Keep
• Canva (for Educators)
• Your LMS

Tisha Poncio - Former district-level Digital Learning Specialist with 20 yrs experience as a leader, learner, and educator who is NOW a Digital Learning Specialist at Wakelet. Tisha is a Google Certified Trainer and Social Media Rockstar running rooms on Clubhouse and having fun on Twitter.

• https://twitter.com/TxTechChick
• https://tishaponcio.wordpress.com/
• https://wakelet.com/@tishaponcio

I will certainly keep you posted as I have throughout this process and I ask that you take a moment and think of me on June 16th.

I recorded some thoughts while watching my boys at running camp. It was a beautiful day and I share my thoughts on appreciation and relaxing.

Google Takeout is a service offered by Google that backs up all of your Google account's data into one file, which you can then download. When you use Google Takeout, you'll download all your emails, YouTube videos and comments, Google Drive files, and more.

This is something districts have to enable, so check with appropriate IT personnel if this doesn't work.

https://takeout.google.com/

Wrapping up your school year for the summer is almost as challenging as starting back up in September. When it comes to education technology there are backups, sharing files, cleaning drives and accounts, updating of settings, and vacation email responses that — if not done right — can lead to problems when you return from summer break. If you have a school device, a lot of work can be completed by the IT dept. as they backup, clean, reformat, and maybe re-image devices. If you have a device assigned to you by the school that you take home, the steps may be more numerous but really, not more complicated.

1. Clean out your documents
2. Back up your files
3. Take out the trash
4. Learn it or Lose it
5. Update software
6. Clean up your desktop
7. Clean up subscriptions
8. Change alert frequency

As we head into Summer 2021 I want to invite you as you reflect on the school year that was -- to contribute a Just Give It A Try story. This is the segment of the show where you share something you tried that worked or maybe it didn't work out as you thought. Your story will help every member of this community continues to learn and grow together.

Thank you in advance for sharing and I look forward to hearing and sharing your stories.

This episode's VIPs are AJ Bianco and Stacey Lindes. Stacey and AJ are no strangers to this podcast and together we recently hosted and released the 100th episode of PodcastPD.

I couldn't be more proud of the podcasters and content creators that Stacey and AJ have blossomed into.

PodcastPD started as a blog post on a now-retired blog of Stacey's. It morphed into a Twitter chat and a live stream during a Twitter chat to a full-blown podcast that we love creating.

AJ also launched his own podcast, ReflectED back in June of 2020.

@StaceyLindes @AJBianco

And if you're not also listening to PodcastPD, what are you waiting for? Go to podcastpd.com/go

What Is Blended Learning?

• Blended learning is what we need to focus on as we enter the post-pandemic lockdown world of 2020 and 2021. We need to reevaluate the human component in the learning experience. A blended learning approach ensures that students are engaged and driving their individual learning experience. This approach also helps cater to the individual needs of the learner, every student has a unique learning style and a blended approach is more likely to cater to those needs than a traditional classroom teaching experience.

Why Is Blended Learning Important?

• Blended learning is important because it breaks down the traditional walls of teaching, ones that don't work for all students, and now with access to present-day technologies and resources, we can tailor the learning experience for each student. Blended learning also offers flexible time frames that can be personalized to each person, offering them the ability to learn at their own pace.

Benefits of Blended Learning

1. Blended learning makes education more accessible
2. Teachers can become more engaged with their students
3. Blended Learning is more fun for everyone

Tools for Blended Learning

• Learning Management System
  • Google Classroom, Canvas, Schoology, Edmodo, etc.
  
  
• Online Texts and Resources
  • OER Commons, Project Gutenburg (60K Free EBooks), Planet EBook (free EBooks)
  
  
• Tools To Create & Organize Video Content
  • YouTube, Google Drive, Flipgrid
  
  
• Video Content
  • Smarter Every Day, YouTube Learning, Veritasium, AsapSCIENCE, Crash Course or Crash Course Kids, MIT Open Courseware, MIT K12 Videos, Bozeman Science, PBS Idea Channel, Numberphile, Vimeo Instructional Videos
  
  

Scott Nunes - Teacher, coach, #MIEExpert, #schoologyamb, Google cert. lvl 1 & 2, @wakelet amb, #cccue board, @nearpod cert., host of @tntedtech & @EducationToday8 #podcast!

https://www.tntedtech.com/ https://twitter.com/mrnunesteach

I began this journey on April 27, 1981, @ 12:01 AM

It was 56 and partly cloudy in New York City. As far as I can tell it was a beautiful sunny day that saw a high of 67.

It was a perfect day.

Since that day my life, like yours, has been far from perfect or normal - whatever that even means.

The older I get the more difficult it is to clearly remember specific moments from my past - weird for someone who teaches history and is interested in the past.

As I was preparing this episode I first thought about taking the approach that after 40 years I don't really know anything. But the more I thought about it I realized I know an awful lot. Like I've talked about here before it's my experiences that have taught me so much.

I have screwed up and failed so many times you might wonder how I am even still here after I share some stories from the last 40 years. And that's what I am going to do. I have some stories I want to share and I believe through my experiences you will be entertained and educated.

This episode contains four stories - one from each decade I've been here.

• https://www.digitalinformationworld.com/2021/04/google-has-announced-that-its-unlimited.html
• https://workspaceupdates.googleblog.com/2021/04/changes-to-google-workspace-storage.html

10 Ways to Harness the Power of the Chat Function

• 1. Chat me.
• 3. Thank students and acknowledge their chats.
• 4. Prepare prompts.
• 7. Monitor the chat.
• 10. Download chat as an artifact.

Nathan Nagele - a husband, father, and teacher. Nate is currently a middle school technology education teacher in the Montgomery County Public School (MCPS) system. Nate has been teaching since 2009 and has served as a teacher, educational technology coordinator, department chair, and mentor.

He loves teaching students and teachers about technology and how to use educational technology to get the most out of their classroom experience.

Connect with Nate - http://nathannagele.com/

In this conversation, Nate and I talk about what we've each learned over the last year and we reflect on what we would do differently.

Tim Cavey - Tim is an 8th-grade educator and vice-principal in Vancouver, BC, Canada. In 2019, he completed a Master's of Educational Leadership degree through Vancouver Island University, and the 2020-2021 school year was his 20th in education. My MEdL program re-invigorated his passion for education. His favorite education topics include the 5Cs, design thinking, growth mindset, inquiry, PBL, visible learning, and strategic uses of technology in education. Tim's Master's thesis focused on the tremendous power of asynchronous professional development media, inspired in part by his podcast, Teachers on Fire. On the Teachers on Fire podcast, Tim profiles agents of growth and transformation in K-12 education. He chats with inspiring educators to bring you their highs and lows, passions and goals, and the voices and influences that are shaping their thinking and inspiring their practice. In the fall of 2020, Tim began streaming these conversations on the Teachers on Fire YouTube channel as well. He launched the podcast in March of 2018 without knowing much about the technical side of podcasting. Growth has been steady, and the reach of the show continues to build month after month. As he continues to learn, improve, and connect with other educators, he has enjoyed playing a part in professional learning across North America and the world. https://teachersonfire.net/

My thought in this episode is inspired and based on the blog above.

Welcome to the 2021 House of #EdTech Final Four. This year's episode and event aren't as elaborate as 2020 but I did put a fun spin on the content as I share four education technology tools/tips for your students but I also share four for you!

Think of it like the NCAA tournament and the NIT together.

• Creativity
  • Students - Book Creator - https://bookcreator.com
  • You - Social Media - IG, T, TT
  
  
• Communication
  • Students - Leverage Your LMS
  • You - Talking Points - https://talkingpts.org/
  
  
• Collaboration
  • Students - Wakelet - https://wakelet.com
  • You - Skilled Space - https://skilled.space
  
  
• Critical Thinking
  • Students - Blooket - https://www.blooket.com/
  • You - Podcast Listening
  
  

Tim Belmont - @tbelmontedu

Tim is all about EdTech, Language Arts, and he is an ISTE & Google Certified Educator.

• Don't Be Boring! Yes, it's that simple.

• MyInstants.com - Proceed with caution with this soundboard tool. Use it in your classroom and virtual or hybrid in your Meet and Zoom calls.

AJ Bianco and I had a conversation about the last year and what we've learned both as a classroom teacher from my POV and from his vantage point as an administrator.

Connect with AJ:

• @AJBianco
• ReflectEDPodcast.com

Cheri Dotterer - Cheri is an international dysgraphia consultant, author, and speaker who trains child development professionals to recognize invisible learning disabilities to help students overcome trauma and shame associated with their disability and rewrite their story through grace. She is the author of Amazon Bestseller's book Handwriting Brain-Body DisConnect is an occupational therapist for 25 years with a private practice in Pennsylvania. She is a graduate of Alvernia and Misericordia Universities and has been an adjunct and guest lecturer. Cheri and her husband of 30 years have two adult children.

She encourages you to embark on a journey to rewrite the story of today's children. Look into their future today through research, professional and personal development.

Connect with Cheri Dotterer

• https://www.cheridotterer.com/
• https://twitter.com/cheridotterer

• A Little Bit More on Clubhouse
  • Mondays/Fridays - PodcastPD 7-7:30 AM EST
    • Monday - The Drive In
    • Friday - Weekend Week in Review
    
    
  • Tuesdays - Club House of #EdTech 10-11 PM EST
  • Thursdays - EdCamp Clubhouse 7 PM EST
    • Lisa Dabbs, Bonnie Nieves, Rachelle Dene Poth, Tisha Poncio, Stacey Lindes, and AJ Bianco
    
    
  
  

• Word Counter - Knowing the word count of a text can be important. For example, if an author has to write a minimum or maximum amount of words for an article, essay, report, story, book, paper, you name it. WordCounter will help to make sure its word count reaches a specific requirement or stays within a certain limit.
• Text Giraffe - FREE LOGO MAKER! Customize your own free logo, use the logo designer for anything you want! Wide variety of logos to choose from.
• WordMark.It - Did you ever find yourself going through a list of fonts, in a drop-down menu, trying to find the right font? Only to find out that the font doesn't even look good with your text?
• Talking Points- Communicate with families in their home languages to build strong partnerships all year long. Join the millions of teachers and parents who already use TalkingPoints.

4 Cs - Creativity, Communication, Collaboration, Critical Thinking

• #1 - We Must Foster Creativity
• #2 Communication Is Key
• #3 Foster a Success Through Collaboration
• #4 Inspire Critical Thinking with Education Technology

Find a creative way to communicate to me you listened to this episode and understand what I've shared so we can collaborate and put some critical thought into how we can both get better at this thing we do.

Melissa Aveling - Australian secondary Mathematics teacher for over 10 tears. Mel has taught in her home country of Australia, Taiwan, and she currently teaches in Columbia at an IB school. She loves traveling, hiking, photography, waterfalls, and tennis.

She's active in Global GEG and she frequents many of the places I speak live which I greatly appreciate.

• Free immersive video chat built for groups
• Say goodbye to boring video calls. Get started in 10 seconds.
• Used by teams @ Google, Facebook, NASA and more!
• Break free from breakout rooms
• Spatial audio enables multiple simultaneous conversations in the same space. Just like IRL.
• Customize your space
• Rich illustrations, interactive apps, and customizable environments delight guests and sponsors alike.

What is Clubhouse?

• Clubhouse is an invite-only audio platform -- iOS only as of Feb. 2021 -- where users can start conversations, listen in to conversations, and network. When you open the app you'll find one spot to search for users or clubs (which are like affinity groups) you'd like to follow, and a calendar of upcoming events based on the interests you selected when you first signed up. You can see what rooms other people are a part of, jump around to listen in, and raise your hand if you want to be invited up to the stage.

What is the value of Clubhouse for Educators?

How I am using Clubhouse?

• I have spent the last month mostly lurking
• I have started to host rooms - One of my first was literally called, Talking EdTech while Waiting for Tacos
• I am exploring my interests
• I am getting the opportunity to listen to conversations and engage in conversations that I wouldn't normally get the chance to jump into.
• It's like a 24-hour per day conference and really resembles EdCamp. Anyone can start a conversation and you can leave a conversation at any time.
• Yeah, this might be trendy but I don't think I've ever led you astray, and I promise that you will get value.

Clubhouse Tips for Teachers

1. If you can get an invite from someone GET IT! Why Not?
2. Listen
3. Explore ALL your interests
4. Connect and follow people who are interesting to you
5. Get involved and raise your hand
6. Start a conversation

How are others using Clubhouse?

• Tisha Poncio
• Bonnie Nieves
• Don Sturm
• Eric Guise
• Lisa Dabbs

Final Thoughts

Of course, with any social media platform, success will come down to the quality of content. For people like you and me, the conversation needs to be practical and useful. Clubhouse is in its early days, and it remains to be seen what 'quality' looks like on this platform. Still, there certainly seems to be an opportunity to democratize discussions around education — at least until the same old voices grab all the eartime.

Resources

• How Educators are Using the Exclusive Social Media App Clubhouse - EdSurge; Monica Burns, ClassTechTips.com

• Trish Hinchman
• Technology Integration Specialist • Google Certified Trainer • Adjunct Professor in Ed Tech • Presenter • Learner • Wife and Mom of 2

• Sunsetting the Google Teacher Podcast
• Recent Conference Livestreams
  • ISTE 2020
  • FETC 2021
  • TCEA 2021
  
  
• Knock Knock Who's There? Podcast with my son!

Determined - having made a firm decision and being resolved not to change it.

Mike Brilla called in a great recommendation!

Miro - The online collaborative whiteboard platform to bring teams together, anytime, anywhere.

FETC took place January 26-29, 2021. The 2021 version of the conference was offered 100% virtual and 100% free to attendees. I gained admission as a media member though I did apply to present earlier in 2020 when it was announced that the conference would be virtual.

During my night two live stream, I spoke with Alex Podchaski and we had a great conversation around equity and technology.

We addressed the question, "How do we get rid of the fence?" This question goes beyond equal vs equitable and we explore the real problem - the fence.

Quizlet's Integration With TikTok Lets Education Creators Add Study Sets, Flashcards

Episode 149 - TikTok for Educators

Lancy Collins - As a Technology Coach for the Homer, NY SD, Lancy wants to share her experiences, thoughts, and reflections on all the amazing things our educators and students do.

• Connect with Lancy on Twitter
• Checkout her website

** SUPPORT THE SHOW **

• Become an Awesome Supporter!
• Buy Me A Coffee!

• https://chrisnesi.com/171

• (1:30) Intro
• (10:07) House of #EdTech Thought - You just don't know yet...
• (13:10) House of #EdTech Recommendation - Video Editors
• (16:26) Featured Content - Have You Ever... by Dan Gallagher
• (28:19) Just Give It A Try - Lorie Watkins talks Whiteboard.chat
• (30:23) House of #EdTech VIP - 3 Caffeinated Coaches Podcast

• Call: (732) 903-4869
• Flipgrid: http://chrisnesi.com/flipgrid
• Voxer: mrnesi
• Email: feedback@chrisnesi.com
• Twitter: @mrnesi

• Become an Awesome Supporter!
• Buy Me A Coffee!

• https://chrisnesi.com/

• (2:30) Intro
• (5:37) House of #EdTech Thought - What did Derek learn from hosting the podcast?
• (14:17) Featured Content - 2020 Smackdown
• (01:43:39) House of #EdTech VIP

• Call: (732) 903-4869
• Flipgrid: http://chrisnesi.com/flipgrid
• Voxer: mrnesi
• Email: feedback@chrisnesi.com
• Twitter: @mrnesi

• Become an Awesome Supporter!
• Buy Me A Coffee!

** COMPLETE SHOW NOTES **

• https://chrisnesi.com/169

• (1:33) Intro
• (3:03) Featured Content - Collaborating with your school librarian w/Katie McNamara
• (56:49) House of #EdTech Recommendation - Peardeck
• (01:02:11) House of #EdTech VIP - Chris Nesi? ~ Thanks Derek!

• Call: (732) 903-4869
• Flipgrid: http://chrisnesi.com/flipgrid
• Voxer: mrnesi
• Email: feedback@chrisnesi.com
• Twitter: @mrnesi

Each day of the conference I am live streaming at 10 PM EST via https://chrisnesi.com/live

This BONUS episode was recorded on Saturday, December 5, 2020. I was joined on-air by the following people who you should connect with and we discussed the following topics:

• Sharo Dickerson
• Podcasting and Content Creation with AJ Bianco - Co-Host of PodcastPD, Host of ReflectED
• Katie Fielding, Daniel Nemerow - Co-Hosts of ITC's for All

Each day of the conference I am live streaming at 10 PM EST via https://chrisnesi.com/live

This BONUS episode was recorded on Friday, December 4, 2020. I was joined on-air by the following people who you should connect with and we discussed the following topics:

• Podcasting and Content Creation with AJ Bianco - Co-Host of PodcastPD, Host of ReflectED
• Dynos.io with founder Pramod Vadrevu

Each day of the conference I am live streaming at 10 PM EST via https://chrisnesi.com/live

This BONUS episode was recorded on Thursday, December 3, 2020. I was joined on-air by the following people who you should connect with and we discussed the following topics:

• Winning ISTE, Taking Community Notes with Stephanie Howell
• Conference Swag and the Ditch Summit with Matt Miller

Each day of the conference I am live streaming at 10 PM EST via https://chrisnesi.com/live

This BONUS episode was recorded on Tuesday, December 1, 2020. I was joined on-air by the following people who you should connect with and we discussed the following topics:

• "What is a Poster Session?" with Batsheva Frankel
• Catching up with Edupodcaster and Tech Coach Scott Nunes
• Kind Heart Jr. & Global Youth Media with Donna Guerin

Each day of the conference I am live streaming at 10 PM EST via https://chrisnesi.com/live

This BONUS episode was recorded on Tuesday, December 1, 2020. I was joined on-air by the following people who you should connect with:

The main topic was AR & VR in education.

Thank you to the following people who appeared:

• Jaime Donally - https://www.arvrinedu.com/
• Rachelle Dene Poth - Website

Each day of the conference I am live streaming at 10 PM EST via https://chrisnesi.com/live

This BONUS episode was recorded on Monday, November 30, 2020. I was joined on-air by the following people who you should connect with:

The main topic was AR & VR in education.

Thank you to the following people who appeared:

• Jesse Lubinsky
  • Co-Author, The Esports Education Playbook: Empowering Every Learner Through Inclusive Gaming
  • Co-Host, Partial Credit Podcast
  
  
• Dr. Dan Kreiness
  • Host, Leader of Learning Podcast
  
  
• Jennifer Bond

Each day of the conference I am live streaming at 10 PM EST via https://chrisnesi.com/live

This BONUS episode was recorded on Sunday, November 29, 2020. I was joined on-air by the following people who you should connect with:

• Nate Ridgeway
• Batsheva Frankel
• Dr. Quentin Jerome Lee
• Brandie Wright

Quentin and Brandie were featured speakers in the opening video for ISTE 2020.

I participated in the November edition of #PassTheScopeEdu and this month's topic was #RestUpTeachUp. In this segment, I talk about the need for sleep and resting and recharging as an educator and how that can't be overlooked.

Whiteboard.chat is an awesome and free virtual, web-based whiteboard. I think it's better than Google Jamboard!

• FREE to use
• Connect up to 100 people per board
• Export boards to PDF
• Connect multiple people and devices to the same board
• Easily observe and coach multiple people on individual boards

Earlier in November, I had the opportunity to provide some afterschool PD to teachers in my district and I created a session about strategies to engage students in virtual learning. Some of the strategies include:

• Keep It Simple
• Use Music and Sound
• Ensure the Privacy of Your Students
• Empower Your Students
• Create Breakout Rooms Ahead of Time

• Using Yoga to provide breaks - Find short 2-5 minute Yoga videos.

• FREE to use
• Connect up to 100 people per board
• Export boards to PDF
• Connect multiple people and devices to the same board
• Easily observe and coach multiple people on individual boards

Liz Sheridan - Proud Rutgers graduate who initially hoped to get into publishing but then considered a career in education. She teaches English at my school and she's a phenomenal educator who is respected by her students and her colleagues. She loves literature and being around reading and she figured that teaching would be a way to help other people access that love, whether they already liked reading or not. Liz is a former teacher of the year and is regularly nominated in our building.

Most recently, she received the 2020 Yale Educator Award along with 6 other teachers and 24 counselors who were recognized as outstanding educators from around the world who have supported and inspired their students to achieve at high levels.

Connect with Liz Sheridan:

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/MsSheridanNB

• https://chrisnesi.com/167

• (1:24) Intro
• (3:17) House of #EdTech Recommendation - https://www.scrible.com/
• (9:33) Featured Content - #DigCit and the importance to today's teachers and students
• (25:46) House of #EdTech VIP - Marialice B.F.X. Curran

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• https://chrisnesi.com/166

• (1:25) Intro
• (4:16) House of #EdTech Thought - Reflecting on #PassTheScopeEDU
• (9:54) Featured Content - Jared Covili from Utah
• (49:33) House of #EdTech Recommendation - Originality Reports tool in G-suite and Google Docs
• (52:57) House of #EdTech VIP - Valerie Lewis founder of #passthescopeEDU

• Call: (732) 903-4869
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** SUPPORT THE SHOW **

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• (1:30) Intro
• (7:10) House of #EdTech Thought
• (9:20) Featured Content
• (17:20) House of #EdTech Recommendation
• (19:32) House of #EdTech VIP

• Call: (732) 903-4869
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** SUPPORT THE SHOW **

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• https://chrisnesi.com/164

• (1:24) Intro
• (4:40) House of #EdTech Thought & Featured Content - Be Excellent to Each Other
• (13:20) House of #EdTech Recommendation
  • Power Down
  • Two Screens for Teachers
  
  
• (21:12) House of #EdTech VIP - Cory Henwood

• Call: (732) 903-4869
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Wipebook - Get 30% Off with promo code houseofedtech

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• https://chrisnesi.com/163

• (1:32) Intro
• (7:16) House of #EdTech Recommendation - mote
• (11:44) Featured Content - Crossover with EdTech Classroom - EdTech to Support PBL
• (01:20:00) House of #EdTech VIP - Stacy Young

• Call: (732) 903-4869
• Flipgrid: http://chrisnesi.com/flipgrid
• Voxer: mrnesi
• Email: feedback@chrisnesi.com
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Wipebook - Get 30% Off with promo code houseofedtech

** SUPPORT THE SHOW **

• Become an Awesome Supporter!
• Buy Me A Coffee
• Get Your Limited Edition 3D Printed Coin!

• https://chrisnesi.com/162

• (1:25) Intro - RIP Sir Ken Robinson
• (4:39) House of #EdTech Thought - Are you being authentic?
• (7:50) House of #EdTech Recommendation - Mirror iOS to Windows 10
• (10:28) Featured Content - Tips for Teaching Online

• Call: (732) 903-4869
• Flipgrid: http://chrisnesi.com/flipgrid
• Voxer: mrnesi
• Email: feedback@chrisnesi.com
• Twitter: @mrnesi

** SUPPORT THE SHOW **

• Become an Awesome Supporter!
• Buy Me A Coffee!

• Call: (732) 903-4869
• Flipgrid: http://chrisnesi.com/flipgrid
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• Email: feedback@chrisnesi.com
• Twitter: @mrnesi