<p><b><i>This episode is sponsored by TWT Audio. Are your students dealing with broken headsets, poor audio quality, or unreliable microphones at moments that matter most? TWT Audio was built for educators, by educators, designing headsets specifically for real classroom environments, durable enough to last, and comfortable for all-day use. With over 5 million headsets and headphones sold, schools trust TWT because they just work, delivering consistent performance while simplifying technology.</i></b></p><p><b><i>Instead of replacing cheap headsets year after year, invest in a solution that schools nationwide trust every day.</i></b></p><p><b><i>TWT Audio — hear the difference.</i></b></p><p></p><p>AI isn’t going away but the way schools are handling it might be doing more harm than good. In this episode, I chat with Annie Kim Sytsma from Michigan Virtual to unpack what’s <i>really</i> happening inside schools right now. From districts banning AI to others fully embracing it, the reality is messy and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution.</p><p></p><p>We dive into:</p><ul><li>Why banning AI is no longer realistic</li><li>How teachers are redesigning assignments to outsmart shortcuts</li><li>What students are actually doing with AI (hint: it’s changing)</li><li>How to build transparency instead of fear in your classroom</li></ul><p>If you’ve been unsure how to approach AI with your students or feel like you're already behind, this episode gives you practical, honest strategies you can start using immediately. Buen provecho!</p><h2><b>Connect With Gabriel Carrillo</b></h2><ul><li>EdTech Bites Website: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://edtechbites.com" target="_blank">https://edtechbites.com</a></li><li>EdTech Bites On Bluesky: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://bsky.app/profile/edtechbites.bsky.social" target="_blank">https://bsky.app/profile/edtechbites.bsky.social</a></li><li>EdTech Bites Instagram: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://instagram.com/edtechbites" target="_blank">https://instagram.com/edtechbites</a></li><li>EdTech Bites X: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://twitter.com/edtechbites" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/edtechbites</a></li><li>EdTech Bites Facebook Page: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://facebook.com/edtechbites" target="_blank">https://facebook.com/edtechbites</a></li><li>EdTech Bites On TikTok: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@edtechbites" target="_blank">https://www.tiktok.com/@edtechbites</a></li><li>EdTech Bites YouTube Channel: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/@edtechbites" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/@edtechbites</a></li></ul><h2>About Annie</h2><p>Annie Kim Sytsma serves schools across the state of Michigan as an AI Strategist with Michigan Virtual. With over 13 years of experience in education and dual Master’s degrees in Educational Technology and Instructional Design, she brings a balanced, ethical, and thoughtful approach to integrating AI in teaching and learning. Her background as an English and Psychology teacher, District Technology Specialist, District Intervention Coordinator, and school administrator gives her deep instructional and systemic insight into how intentionally designed technology can transform education. Annie focuses on creating learning experiences that harness AI to deepen thinking, strengthen metacognition, and expand student agency while supporting responsible engagement with emerging technologies.</p><h2>Connect With Annie Kim Sytsma</h2><ul><li>Annie On LinkedIn: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/annie-kim-sytsma-64a3306/" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/annie-kim-sytsma-64a3306/</a></li></ul>