EdTech Classroom

In today's solo show, I'm sharing three common challenges of project-based learning, and ideas on how to avoid them.

In today's episode, I'm sharing ideas for using Mote in the classroom.

In today's solo show, I'm making the case for kindergarten. More specifically, I’m sharing ways that we can incorporate some of the pillars of kindergarten – tinkering, exploration, and play – into every grade level. Press play.

We are bringing blogging into the classroom with student blog projects. Press play.

In today's episode, we're talking about Design Thinking, and more specifically, prototyping and testing in the classroom. Press play.

What does authentic learning *really* mean? Press play.

In today's solo show, I share ideas for using Google Keep as a teacher and for simple task management. Press play.

In today's solo show, I'm sharing tips for incorporating technology into project-based learning. Press play.

In today's episode, I share ideas for using Google Arts & Culture in the classroom. Press play.

In today's episode, I'm sharing my top coding books for elementary students. These computer science picture books help teach fundamental coding and programming concepts. Press play.

For our first episode of 2022, I’m sharing some fun STEM activities and challenges based on the Ada Twist, Scientist book series. Press play.

The time has come! We’re wrapping up 2021 with my top 5 edtech tools of the year. Press play.

Learn how to use Google Sheets as a teacher or educator. Press play.

This is the last episode in our Design Thinking mini-series. Today's episode is all about Design Thinking in 5th grade. Press play.

In the fifth episode of our Design Thinking mini-series, I'm sharing ideas for implementing this approach in your 4th grade classroom. Press play.

In this week's solo show, we continue our Design Thinking mini-series by looking at strategies for implementing this approach in your Third Grade classroom. Press play.

In this week's solo show, we continue our Design Thinking mini-series by looking at strategies for implementing this approach in your Second Grade classroom. Press play.

New mini-series on Design Thinking at different grade levels. This is #2! Learn how to implement Design Thinking in the 1st grade classroom. Press play.

New mini-series! Design Thinking at different grade levels! Learn how to implement Design Thinking in the Kindergarten classroom. Press play. 

October is Dyslexia Awareness Month, so I am re-sharing Episode 29: If Technology is to be Revolutionary, We Need Everyone at the Table with Jeannette Washington, M.Ed.

In this episode, I chat with Jeannette Washington, M.Ed., whose work focuses on the intersection of dyslexia advocacy, technology, and social justice. Jeannette has worked as a speech and language pathologist, a software engineer, and an educator. She has nearly a decade of experience working with students that exhibit special abilities. Our conversation specifically centers around digital accessibility and strategies for supporting all learners with technology. Press play.

In today's solo show, I share ideas for how you can teach the Sustainable Development Goals through a Systems Thinking lens. Press play.

In today's solo show, I discuss strategies for combining the Systems Thinking and Design Thinking approaches to teaching and learning in the classroom. Systems Thinking helps students identify problems. Design Thinking helps students solve those problems. Press play. 

In today's solo show, I talk about Systems Thinking and how I implement this approach to teaching and learning in my elementary classroom. Press play.

In today's solo show, I share my 5 favorite edtech tools for design thinking in the classroom. Press play.

In today's solo show, I'm sharing ideas for teaching empathy through the design thinking process. Press play.

So many of you seemed to love my podcast episode about Design Thinking, so I'm sharing another project idea in today's episode! In today's solo show, I share an in-depth project example for how to incorporate design thinking to build classroom community for back to school. Press play.

In today's episode, I interview Brittany Gaffney, an Instructional Technology Specialist in New York who works with and supports over 50 districts. Brittany shares ideas for incorporating edtech into your back-to-school plans, as well as her own experiences as both an edtech coach and former classroom teacher. Press play. 

In today's solo show, I share a Responsive Classroom Book List for teachers and educators. These books are my favorite back-to-school resources. Press play.

A high schooler did WHAT?! As teachers, we know how incredible and talented our students are, and Ahmed Muhammad is exactly that: an incredible and talented recent high school grad who is already making a difference in the world. Chances are, you’ve already heard of Ahmed. He has gone viral online several times now for his accomplishments. Ahmed graduated from Oakland Technical High School, where he was the first African American male valedictorian in school history. He got accepted to every college he applied to, and he’s also founder of Kits Cubed, a nonprofit organization that makes STEM and science learning accessible at home. By the way - he was a keynote speaker at this year's ISTE conference. Press play.

Episode Webpage and Transcription: Episode webpage will be up later today. Please come back in a few hours if you'd like to read the transcription. Thank you for your patience!

Kits Cubed:

In today’s solo show, I’m focusing on just one of the many classroom practices at the heart of the Responsive Classroom approach: Morning Meeting. During Morning Meeting, which occurs at the start of the school day, everyone in the classroom – teachers and students alike – gather in a circle for twenty to thirty minutes. The Responsive Classroom Morning Meeting approach consists of four sequential components: Greeting, Share, Activity, and Message. Press play.

In today's episode, I interview Jordan Campbell and Ashlynn Schindler from CoderZ. We talk about all things CoderZ, including their products, resources, and offerings. We also chat about 21st century skills like problem-solving and computational thinking. Press play.

In today's episode, we discuss the Gold Standard PBL model, developed by PBLWorks. Press play. 

TPACK, or Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge, is a framework for the integration of technology in the classroom. The TPACK framework is a helpful guide to providing students with a high-quality educational experience, when technology is incorporated in the classroom. Press play.

In today's solo show, we discuss the SAMR tech integration model. We talk about different ways technology is used in the classroom: substitution, augmentation, modification, and redefinition. Press play.

In today's solo show, we explore the design thinking process and how design thinking projects can be used in elementary school classrooms. Even if you aren't an elementary school teacher, today's episode will still have applicable takeaways for ideas on how you can implement design thinking with your students, regardless of grade level or subject area. I discuss: (1) what design thinking is, (2) how design thinking is used in education, (3) an in-depth project example with 2nd graders. Press play.

Today we are celebrating the first birthday of the EdTech Classroom Podcast! Press play.

In today's episode, I'm sharing my Summer 2021 Book List for Teachers. Press play.

In today’s episode, I’m sharing some tips and strategies for boosting student engagement using game-based learning and gamification. We’ll be talking about the differences between gamification and game-based learning, the benefits of game-based learning, examples from K-12 classrooms, and recommendations on getting started. Press play.

In today's solo show, I'm sharing strategies for how to use podcasts in your classroom. I share recommendations for whole class vs. independent listening models and, of course, so much more. Press play. 

In today's episode, I chat with Spencer Sharp, elementary STEM teacher, host of the Innovative Teacher Podcast, and "Sharp the Builder." Spencer built the STEM program at his school from the ground up, and he is a current classroom teacher who also builds STEM curriculum for teachers all over. We chat about all things STEM and makerspace, but more specifically, we dive into some myths about makerspaces. Spencer shares his expertise, and I walked away from our conversation eager to find more ways to involve community members in my projects.

In today's solo show, we're getting organized! It's time to declutter and organize your Google Drive. Press play. 

In today's episode, I chat with Nishat Firdous Jehan Ali, dedicated and experienced educator, about empowering students to become lifelong learners and global citizens. We discuss strategies to develop meaningful learning experiences, and Nishat shares impactful anecdotes from her own experience teaching 4th grade and enrichment. Press play.

In today’s solo show, I share step-by-step directions on how to implement Genius Hour in your elementary classroom - from start to finish. I covered this topic almost a year ago during Episode 03, but I’ve refined my thoughts and ideas in today’s episode. Welcome to Round 2. I’m excited to share my learnings with you. Learn about Genius Hour, strategies for structuring the project, ideas for anchor charts, and so much more. Press play.

In today’s episode, I chat with Mike Rutherford, founder of gotLearning and creator of the first Collaborative Learning System. We talk about learning conversations, qualitative data, and the future of edtech. Press play.

In today’s solo show, I do a quick but deep-dive into a project I have done with students. This project incorporates 21st century skills, like collaboration, communication, and problem-solving. Press play.

In today's episode, I chat with Ivan Cestero, Head of Experience Design for MYX. MYX is a higher education company that combines online and experiential learning in residential campuses around the world. MYX helps students develop the skills and mindsets for life success, from self-discovery to moral leadership to social innovation. Students will leave as changemakers with a sense of purpose, professional project experience, and a global network. 

In our conversation, we talk about student-centered learning, project-based learning, place-based learning, experiential learning, and SO much more. Press play.

In today's episode, I'm sharing 9 ways you can use Google Forms with students. Be sure to check out the free templates on the episode webpage!

A couple of weeks ago, Google Workspace for Education shared a number of updates during their “Learning with Google Event” that are coming to educators in 2021, and in today's episode, I’m focusing on the updates to Google Classroom. Press play.