Tech It Up a Notch

Join us as we recap our time at EduTECH 2026. After two inspiring days exploring the latest in education technology, we're sharing the tools, ideas, and standout moments that caught our attention. Key Speakers Andy Hargreaves Jason Reynolds Danny Liu / Castlereagh Statement Clare Willemse Professional learning CSER Digital Technologies Education Australian Library and Information Association Schoo...

In this episode of Tech It Up a Notch , Rachael and Clare share some of their favourite iPad apps for infants classrooms. From creativity and coding to storytelling and literacy skills, these apps help teachers use technology intentionally to support learning, engagement, and accessibility. Whether you’re brand new to classroom iPads or looking for fresh ideas, these are practical, classroom teste...

Drawing on feedback from an early adopter, Rach and Clare explore the new Apple Neo and how it sits between an iPad and a traditional laptop for school use. They unpack what makes it a strong classroom option, from battery life and performance to affordability and integration within the Apple and wider ecosystems. The conversation also highlights how tools like Apple Classroom can elevate teaching...

Drawing on real classroom experience, Rach and Clare explore how Code.org can introduce coding in a simple, engaging way without overwhelming teachers or students. From the popular Hour of Code activities like Dance Party and Minecraft to unplugged lessons and AI-integrated tasks, this episode is packed with practical ideas to build computational thinking and confidence. Key Takeaways Hour of Code...

This week Rachael and Clare explore how NotebookLM can act as a personalised research assistant for teachers. They unpack how it can streamline planning, simplify complex syllabus navigation, and generate study materials from trusted sources. From creating quizzes and summaries to producing podcasts, mind maps, and slide decks, this episode is packed with practical ideas perfect for reducing workl...

In part two of our discussion on Seesaw we explore how to get started without overwhelm, real examples of how Seesaw can be used across learning areas, and how it can function as a powerful formative assessment tool. We also share our honest reflections, what works brilliantly, what becomes tricky, and what to consider before rolling it out school wide. If you’ve been wondering how to move to embe...

In this first episode of our two part look into Seesaw, we unpack what Seesaw can do, who it is designed for and why it has become such a widely used digital portfolio tool in primary classrooms. We explore access levels for teachers, students and families, how Seesaw aligns with curriculum and what schools need to consider before implementation. If you’ve been curious about Seesaw but unsure wher...

In this episode of Tech It Up a Notch , Rach and Claire tackle the gap left behind by Google’s retirement of Jamboard. We explore three practical, free alternatives that Aussie teachers can use for brainstorming, planning and collaboration. Whether you use digital whiteboards with students or staff, this episode helps you choose a replacement that fits your context. The Three Alternatives We Revie...

Get ready for the new school year with Tech it up a Notch. In this first minisode, Rach and Claire share practical, realistic strategies to help teachers reset their inbox and reduce email overwhelm before the new school year begins. From decluttering to mindset shifts and smarter email habits, this episode is all about starting the year fresh and in control, without spending hours sorting your me...

This holiday minisode introduces the Productivity Trifecta , a powerful way to streamline your work using Docs, Calendar, and Tasks. If your school uses Google Workspace, this episode will walk you through simple but game changing features that help teachers stay organised, reduce mental load, and help teams follow tasks through from start to finish. Key Takeaways Using Shift + @ in Google Docs un...

In this minisode, we explore how smartwatches can act as a quiet, practical assistant in the classroom. From discreet notifications to reminders, alarms, and multi-factor authentication, a smartwatch can help reduce mental load, support time management, and keep teachers focused on teaching. Key Takeaways Smartwatches allow for discreet notifications , helping teachers stay contactable without che...

Getting organised for a new school year looks different for every teacher. In this minisode, we explore how digital planners can support your workflow and which Clare and Rachael prefer. From Calendar and Slides based daily planners to colour-coded grade books in Sheets, we talk through practical, flexible ways to plan, adapt, and stay on top of the teaching load in 2026. We also share ready-made...

Welcome to the final minisode in the "Start Smart" series. Here we are chatting about one of the more subjective parts of starting a new school year: Classroom Displays. Whether you are a 'laminating queen' or more 'minimalist and clean', we’re sharing our favourite digital tools and ‘old school’ hacks to get your room ready to go. Key Takeaways Digital resource hubs provide easy access to themed...

Drawing on real classroom experience, Rach and Clare explore how Canva can streamline design tasks, reduce time spent policing image use and empower students to communicate their learning creatively. From posters and presentations to podcasting, video, green screen, and interactive projects, this episode is packed with ideas you can try straight away, especially as you’re setting up for a new scho...

Dive into one of the best known coding tools in Australian classrooms: Scratch . In this conversation we unpack why Scratch continues to be a favourite, how to introduce it with confidence and give examples of how it can enhance learning across subjects. From block coding foundations to project ideas, hardware integrations and classroom management tips, this episode is packed with practical strate...

.Dive into the wonderfully versatile world of Ozobot, tiny, sensor powered robots that can be colour coded with textas / markers or block coded. Our listener question inspires a discussion into how to use Ozobots in KLAs beyond Digital Technologies. We explore practical, engaging classroom ideas that span English, HSIE, Science, and PDHPE. As always we give common troubleshooting tips and real sto...

This week, we Tech It Up a Notch with Google Drawings , a free, often overlooked tool in Google Workspace that opens up creative possibilities for learners of all ages. We share practical classroom ideas for using Google Drawings to make art, design diagrams, and explore maths and science concepts in visual ways. We unpack how this simple tool can boost creativity and digital fluency without the n...

This week we introduce Classroom Screen, a simple yet powerful tool for managing classroom flow and engagement. We discuss its key features, explore how it supports effective teaching and share ideas for bringing calm and structure to your learning environment. Along the way, we wander off on a few topical tangents, including discussing our new recording space. Takeaways Classroom Screen is a vers...

In this episode of Tech It Up a Notch , we dive into Makedo, a simple, low-tech tool perfect for design and make projects with cardboard. We explore its classroom applications, from sparking student creativity to embedding sustainable practices. We also share ways to differentiate learning and “tech it up a notch” with digital tools. This episode is also a great example of how talking through tool...

In this episode of Tech It Up A Notch , we explore Brisk , an AI powered Chrome / Microsoft extension that helps teachers streamline admin tasks and boost student engagement. We walk through its features, from adapting reading levels and generating quizzes to giving feedback and even detecting AI use in student work. Alongside the practical applications, we discuss ethical considerations and the i...

In this episode we chat about the Sphero Indi. A fun edtech tool designed for early learners to introduce coding and computational thinking through play-based learning. With a focus on road safety we explore its features, integration and connections to the curriculum. Key Takeaways The Sphero Indi is designed for early learners. Indi uses colour recognition and tiles for programming without screen...

Join us as we make connections between Makey Makey and its exciting uses in STEM learning. We chat about the importance of understanding STEM, the power of hands on learning and practical ways to integrate Makey Makey into different curriculum areas. We share pros, cons and tips straight from the classroom to help you to Tech it Up a Notch! Key Takeaways - Makey Makey Rich STEM projects involve de...

In this episode of Tech It Up a Notch , we introduce Google Vids , a new(ish) collaborative video editing tool perfect for classroom use. We explore its features, benefits, and limitations, and share how it integrates with Google Classroom. We also chat about the role of creative expression in learning and how Google Vids can support curriculum outcomes, making it a valuable resource for teachers...

We are Clare and Rachael, two Australian teachers with a love for digital learning, creativity, and all things learning. After years of sharing ideas in schools, we’re taking our conversations to the world to help you bring technology into your classroom with confidence. In this trailer, you’ll get to know us, our teaching journeys, and the story behind Tech It Up a Notch . Got a question or a too...