Easy EdTech Podcast with Monica Burns

In this episode, I chat with Sela Estelle, an educator and designer who helps teachers create classroom resources with design in mind, about designing resources for students. You'll also hear why the quality of your design has to match the quality of your content, the two design principles Sela wishes every teacher knew, and how she thinks about designing for a screen versus a printed page. If you...

In this episode, I share ten ways to take your students around the world through virtual field trips and global learning with AI. You'll also hear about practical tools and sample prompts for creating tours, videos, reading activities, and creative projects connected to places around the world. If you want to make global learning with AI feel approachable and easy to bring into your classroom, thi...

In this episode, I chat with Dr. Stephen Hodges, CEO of Efekta Education, about how AI can supercharge education in the developing world. You'll hear how teachers in Brazil use a flipped classroom model with AI, how personalized instruction can address Bloom's two sigma problem, and what schools need to get right before rolling out AI tools. If you want to see what thoughtful, AI-powered learning...

In this episode, I chat with Dr. Jessica Espinoza, university professor of curriculum and instruction, about what it really means to use meaningful learning experiences instead of worksheets. You'll also hear how sketchnoting builds reading comprehension, why thinking maps are the most natural swap for a worksheet, and how AI can help you create listening tasks that lead to deeper thinking. If you...

In this episode, I share what you need to know about Gemini Notebook, the new name for NotebookLM, and why this Google AI tool is worth a spot in your teacher toolkit. You'll also hear what changed, what stayed the same, and favorite features to try, like debate-style audio overviews, customized slide decks, and infographics made from your own sources. If you want a quick guide to using Gemini Not...

In this episode, I chat with Crystal Uhiren, an instructional technology facilitator and certified Apple Learning Coach, about keeping student thinking at the center of AI use. You'll also hear practical, low-prep strategies like the two-minute idea sort, mid-class progress pit stops, and screenshot check-ins that build accountability without adding to your workload. If you want to embrace AI whil...

In this episode, I share ten classroom book study ideas that use AI to support reading experiences from start to finish. You'll also hear how AI-powered tools can help you build background knowledge, introduce vocabulary, spark discussion, create paired passages, and gather student feedback in any subject. If you want to use AI for book studies in practical and engaging ways, this episode has you...

In this episode, I chat with Alper Donmez, VP of Quality Assurance at Jotform, about how the platform is building accessibility into every layer of the form creation and form filling experience. You'll also hear what Jotform's built-in accessibility checker catches that you might not expect, how the team supports users who rely on screen readers and keyboard navigation, and why accessibility shoul...

In this episode, I chat with Lori Cohen, education consultant, coach, and author of The Science of Lesson Planning , about what the science of lesson planning looks like in the age of AI. You'll also hear her human first, human last approach to using AI as a planning companion, where AI falls short, and how rituals can make planning feel sustainable instead of overwhelming. If you want to strength...

In this episode, I chat with Erlend Klouman Høiner, a former teacher and co-founder of WeWillWrite, and Bonnie Watson, a fourth grade language arts teacher, about making back-to-school writing something students beg to do. You'll also hear how short, live writing sessions put every student on equal footing, why building a writing routine from the first weeks of school pays off all year long, and h...

In this episode, I share one of my favorite ways to introduce AI images with a quick "guess the prompt" activity I've used with thousands of educators in workshops and webinars. You'll also hear an excerpt from the second edition of EdTech Essentials on three reasons to try AI images (replacing a search, upgrading old resources, and explaining complex topics), plus the tools I reach for when creat...

In this episode, I chat with Dr. Deborah Higdon and Dr. Chacko Abraham about father engagement and how schools can intentionally engage fathers to build stronger school communities. You'll also hear no-cost, hit-the-ground-running strategies from their new book, The Dad Difference , including the power of using father-friendly language and choosing the right communication tools to reach every fami...

In this episode, I share practical ways to use AI to support student readers across content areas and in the reading classroom, from creating audio companions to designing interactive reading activities. You'll also hear how tools like AI-powered podcasts, text-to-speech, quizzes, visuals, and reader's theater scripts can help you scale support while keeping learning goals front and center. If you...

In this episode, I share a quick introduction to vibe coding and five websites I recently built with the help of AI. You'll also hear how I used Claude, Gemini, and Google Sites to turn simple ideas into working tools without traditional coding skills. If you want to try vibe coding and create a useful website, app, or classroom resource of your own, this episode has you covered! Show notes: https...

In this episode, I chat with Heidi Samuelson, instructional technology coach for two elementary schools in Tennessee, about how to mix and match EdTech tools for stronger, more intentional student projects. You'll also hear a step-by-step breakdown of a multi-app project using, plus practical strategies for keeping workflows simple, modeling transitions between apps, and focusing on depth over qua...

In this episode, I chat with Dr. Gene Kerns, Chief Academic Officer at Renaissance, about instructional coherence and how AI can help connect the assessment, curriculum, and practice tools that too often live in separate places. You'll also hear why having more data isn't the same as having useful data, what to look for when evaluating an AI-powered tool, and how Renaissance Intelligence aims to m...

In this episode, I share ten easy-to-use AI prompts for families to try for everyday activities, from planning day trips and creating bedtime stories to helping with homework and weekly meal planning. You'll also hear how to model responsible AI use with your kids and customize each prompt for better results. If you're looking for simple ways to start using AI as a family, this episode has you cov...

In this episode, I chat with Sheila Dokken, Coordinator of Prevention and Safety for a large district in Minnesota, about how AI can support educator wellness and emotional intelligence instead of just adding more to an already full plate. You'll also hear about her PRISM framework for moving from overwhelm to clarity, plus the idea of owning your 10% and using AI as a reflective thought partner d...

In this episode, I share practical tips for hosting a virtual book study that feels supportive, focused, and doable for busy educators. You'll also hear strategies for choosing a clear purpose, setting flexible expectations, and keeping momentum going with warm-ups, discussion prompts, and optional action steps. If you want to design a virtual book study that teachers actually enjoy and want to st...

In this episode, I chat with Melinda Glowacki, a supervisor at the UCI School of Education, about leading meaningful coaching discussions with educators around AI integration. You'll also hear her approach to drafting AI guidance that centers critical thinking over compliance, plus a powerful coaching move that invites educators into reflective dialogue instead of shutting down discussion. If you...

In this episode, I share four chatbot strategies for teachers to go beyond basic prompts and get more meaningful results. You'll also hear how to assign a role, refine responses through conversation, use the "ask me questions" technique, and transform existing materials with file uploads. If you want to use AI as a collaborative partner to save time and create stronger classroom resources, this ep...

In this episode, I share my favorite Google Slides for teachers tips, from customizing layouts to creating interactive lessons. You'll also hear tips on using speaker notes, hyperlinking images, and designing collaborative projects to enhance student engagement. If you want to make the most of this free and versatile EdTech tool, this episode has you covered! Show notes: https://classtechtips.com/...

In this episode, I chat with Dr. Gina Tesoriero, a researcher and former middle school special education teacher, about how AI tools like ChatGPT can serve as powerful supports for students with disabilities and neurodiverse learners. You'll also hear findings from her dissertation research on how young adults with special education experiences are already using AI in creative ways, plus the uniqu...

In this episode, I share how to use AI tools to quickly create classroom infographics that make complex information easier for students to understand. You'll also hear about specific tools, practical prompt examples, and tips for designing visuals that align with your students' needs. If you want to save time while creating engaging, student-friendly visuals, this episode has you covered! Show not...

In this episode, I share fun and engaging first day of summer activities for classroom celebrations, from interactive music activities to AI-generated designs. You'll also hear creative ideas like virtual summer trips, student goal-setting with digital tools, and storytelling with emojis. If you want to bring excitement, reflection, and EdTech-powered creativity into your lessons, this episode is...