Educational Duct Tape: An EdTech Integration Mindset

What happens when two education nerds talk books, buffaloes, and Brisk? In this special episode, I join Mike Brilla on The Inspired Teacher Podcast to discuss the role of AI in classrooms, building a professional learning community, and the adjacent possible. We get candid about cell phones, feedback, tech integration, and remembering our "why" as educators. Tools we mention include MagicSchool, D...

Google announced Gemini for Education. In this episode, I break it all down, from Deep Research and Gemini Canvas to Gems, Gemini Live, and more. I also discuss the difference between the paid and free versions as well as the admin controls and privacy features in it. Plus, in the soapbox moment, I dig into the importance of growth mindset, perseverance, and what we can all learn from the Learning...

Can AI help teachers do more of what matters most? In this episode, I join Rachel and Christina from The Conversation podcast to explore AI's real impact in schools. We discuss tools like MagicSchool, Diffit, and Brisk, and how they support both students and teachers. We also dive into personalized learning, teacher PD, and the "baby steps" approach to AI adoption. Plus, I share practical insights...

What do a name change, a new font, and fewer browser tabs have in common? In this episode, I unpack the Quizizz rebrand to Wayground, share Edpuzzle's leap beyond video with new interactive tools, highlight Google Classroom's latest add-on integrations, and spotlight Google Fonts' Playwrite—a typeface built to support handwriting instruction. Plus, in the Soapbox moment, I reflect on my son learni...

What if your classroom ran more like a student-led workshop than a teacher-led lecture? In this episode, Alfonso Mendoza joins me to talk about screencasting tools like Screencastify, Loom, ScreenPal, and Kapwing. I also spotlight new features in Padlet and NotebookLM, share how Google Lens can support inquiry in the moment, and reflect on The Shift to Student-Led by Catlin Tucker and Katie Novak....

How do we make tech processes easier for students—and teachers—to follow? In this episode, I chat with Courtney Watson from friEdTechnology about strategies for creating clear, bite-sized tech instructions using tools like Scribe, iorad, Canva, and Adobe Express. We explore ways to lower the cognitive load and boost confidence in tech-rich classrooms. Plus, I share new feature updates in Book Crea...

This interview was originally aired on the State of Ed Podcast by Dr. Nick Isseks and Dr. Nick Simone. It is being re-aired here with their permission. You can access the original episode here: https://episodes.fm/992700178/episode/NDIwOWY1OTAtMGQxZC00NGI1LWIwMjktY2U5NmQ1Yjc4MjIw and access all State of Ed Podcast episodes here: https://episodes.fm/992700178   0:00:00 INTRO 0:02:53 State of Ed Pod...

What's your favorite tool for having students create visuals like infographics and diagrams? Bryon Carpenter from Fresh Air At Five joins me to answer that very question. We discuss Adobe Express, Canva, Google Drawings, and Google Slides. Also, I share about Brisk's new Podcast Generator, a Chromebook monitoring feature coming soon to Google, SchoolAI's response to some ethical concerns, and a do...

Ever feel like the important work keeps getting overshadowed by what's urgent? In this episode, I reflect on the quote "Think big. Start small. Scale fast." and share how the Eisenhower Matrix helps me keep my priorities aligned. I also share updates from Snorkl, Google Classroom, and SchoolAI, plus a candid take on More Than Words by John Warner. Tools featured include Snorkl Coach, Video Explore...

What's your go-to tool for formative assessment? In this episode, Dan Niessen joins me to unpack strategies for gathering real-time insights into student learning. We talk Quizizz, Nearpod, Snorkl, AI chatbot tutors, Pear Deck, ChatGPT, and more. Dan shares how he supports educators in choosing tools that fit their goals—and their students. Plus, I break down updates to Google Slides, Canva Visual...

Is the goal to complete the task… or to grow stronger? In this episode, I reflect on Rick Wormeli's article "With A.I., Let's Keep Students' Learning Paramount" and what it means for educators navigating AI in classrooms. I also share updates on Common Sense Media's free ChatGPT course, Google Classroom's new "Grade All" feature, the CoSpaces rebrand to Delightex, and a TED Talk that might change...

How can we empower students to self-assess their learning? In this episode, Shantel Lott joins me to explore tech tools and strategies that foster reflection and agency. We chat about Snorkl, NotebookLM, Curipod, Knowt, and MagicSchool's Custom ChatBot. I also share updates on using Google Gemini with Teens, Padlet Sandbox's new sound and visual effects, and the magic of generating Google Slides w...

What's new in edtech? In this episode, I break down Google's new parent permission requirements, an awesome Google Classroom add-on, and Screencastify's expanded free plan. Science teachers, you'll want to hear about PhET Simulations inside Quizizz, and we'll discuss Common Sense Media's latest report on AI in education. Plus, I'll wrap up with a thought-provoking book that challenges how we creat...

Today on the Educational Duct Tape podcast, I've got five edtech updates   that might impact your classroom and one educational strategy that's new to me. I'll start with the bad news first, which is Bitly adding ads to short links (not cool, Bitly) and then get into the good news, like a new educator-made alternative to Bitly and an AI teaching assistant from Padlet. Plus, handy updates from Pear...

How can we create more flexible, accessible, and differentiated learning experiences? In this episode, I chat with Adam Juarez and Katherine Goyette (husband and wife duo AdaKat) about tools and strategies to make learning more inclusive. We explore MagicSchool, Quizizz, Mote, Immersive Reader, Goblin Tools, MirrorTalk, Factors Education, Helperbird, Google Docs Voice Typing, and more. Plus, we di...

In today's episode, I kick things off with a Soapbox Moment relating to a new CommonSense Media report about the gap between the AI-awareness of teens and their parents—and what that means for us as educators. Then, we'll explore five updates! We've got a game-changing differentiation feature in Google Classroom, an time-saving resource in Canva's Teacher Work Kit, an upgrade to Pear Deck with Gra...

Adam Sparks is back to continue our conversation about writing instruction in the age of AI. We're diving into even more actionable strategies, from using tools like ShortAnswer to embedding more writing across the curriculum to help students recover those lost writing reps. Plus, we tackle big-picture topics like teaching students to use AI effectively, leveraging AI in scoring state-level assess...

Adam Sparks joins the show to convince every educator to ditch AI-detection tools and focus on what really matters: the writing process.   We discuss alternatives to AI-detection like Brisk, Draftback, revision history tracking, and Short Answer and share actionable strategies to teach writing effectively in the age of AI. From fostering transparency with students to leveraging powerful tools for...

This episode features 5 education updates including new features from Canva, Edpuzzle, and Google Classroom, a really cool new edtech tool, and my very favorite article ever written. #EduDuctTape Episode 113 Edu News I've Got My Peepers On: Canva and Affinity - canva.com/newsroom/news/affinity Edpuzzle adds Teacher Assist - support.edpuzzle.com/hc/en-us/sections/14355696963981-Teacher-Assist Group...

Dan Stitzel joins me to explore ways to turn whole-class review games into engaging formative assessments by using generative AI to build custom question sets for Jeopardy, Quizizz, and beyond. We also dig into the latest AI features in Quizizz and discuss Gimkit, Blooket, and Quizlet. Plus, I share about Blue Sky, Canva Magic Studio, Google Forms' new star rating, and MagicSchool's Presentation G...

Amy Storer joins me to explore creative tools to replace Google Jamboard, including FigJam from Figma and Padlet Sandbox, as well as the more robust Figma for Edu. We also dive into digital calming rooms and I share about Canva's Magic Media for generating custom visuals and Padlet's new auto-captioning feature for videos and audio that enhances accessibility for all learners. #EduDuctTape Episode...

Dan Fitzpatrick, the author of the bestselling book The AI Classroom joins Jake to discuss frontier AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini, as well as some special educational AI tools including MagicSchool, SchoolAI, Diffit, Brisk, and Gamma.app. Dan also shares PREPARED Framework for generative AI and Jake shares about the CIA Coaching Model (Control, Influence, Accept & Adapt). Plus, updates from Can...

In today's episode of #EduDuctTape, 6 listeners join Jake to share their thoughts on AI and Academic Honesty in the age of AI. We discuss schools prohibiting AI and tools including MagicSchool, TextBlaze, and Google Arts & Culture. Plus, new updates are coming to Canva! Thanks to today's guests: Bryon Carpenter - @BryonCar @FreshAirAtFive Isaac Marquez - @iMarquezEDU Eric Guise - @guisegotteched @...

Molly Klodor joins the show to talk about encouraging and ensuring academic honesty in an educational ecosystem that includes AI. We'll talk about MagicSchool, Google Arts & Culture, Google Applied Digital Skills Lessons, aiEDU, Code.org, SchoolAI, Brisk, DraftBack, TurnItIn, AI detectors, and more! And you're not going to want to miss the strategies for implementation that she suggests for differ...

Today's Sponsor - VIZOR - vizor.cloud/jake Rory Vaden Article -  https://www.tennessean.com/story/money/2015/01/23/buffalo-face-lifes-storms/22187351/ Padlet - EduDuctTape.com/Padlet SpeakPipe - EduDuctTape.com/SpeakPipe Link to the SoapBox Moment on YouTube - youtu.be/z6CCZHKAmAg