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, Diffit, Claude, ChatGPT, and Brisk. You'll laugh, reflect, and leave with ideas you can try tomorrow. #EduDuctTape This interview was originally aired on The Inspired Teacher by Mike Brilla. It is being re-aired here with his permission. You can access the original episode here: https://www.edupodcastnetwork.com/show/inspiredteacherpodcast/jake-is-here/ … and access other episodes of the show here: https://www.edupodcastnetwork.com/show/inspiredteacherpodcast/ 0:00:00 INTRO 0:02:35 The Inspired Teacher Podcast 0:04:33 Fresh Air at Five Bumper 0:04:53 Interview 0:07:07 Who is Jake? 0:10:11 What is Jake Reading? - The Anxious Generation, by John Haidt - https://amzn.to/4o5f2Uv (affiliate link) - Marching off the Map, by Tim Elmore - https://amzn.to/4kTSHX6 (affiliate link) 0:12:35 Reacting to Change in Education 0:19:06 The Adjacent Possible - The Innovator's Mindset, by George Couros - https://amzn.to/3IKgr2s (affiliate link) 0:22:53 How "Let Them" Impacts Teachers Learning from One Another - The Let Them Theory, by Monica Robbins - https://amzn.to/46rVHGI (affiliate link) 0:25:12 Where is Jake Getting Inspiration & Ideas? 0:29:38 Talking about AI 0:36:19 A Final Piece of Advice - "Know Your Why" - Michael Jr. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ytFB8TrkTo - Define Your WHY, by Barbara Bray - https://amzn.to/454T9Ma (affiliate link)

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 Pit. #EduDuctTape Episode 128 0:00:00 INTRO 0:02:31 Today's Soapbox Moment: "Rental Skates, Paintballs, and the Messy Middle" - The Anthropocene Reviewed - https://amzn.to/4eFD309 (Amazon affiliate link) - The Learning Pit - https://www.learningpit.org 0:07:52 EdTech & Edu News Updates 0:08:21 Introducing Gemini for Education - https://edu.google.com/intl/ALL_us/ai/gemini-for-education - https://services.google.com/fh/files/misc/gfe_launch_guide_iste2025.pdf 0:09:29 Gemini Live - https://gemini.google/overview/gemini-live/?hl=en 0:11:38 Deep Research - https://gemini.google/overview/deep-research - https://workspace.google.com/blog/ai-and-machine-learning/meet-deep-research-your-new-ai-research-assistant - https://blog.google/products/gemini/deep-research-gemini-2-5-pro-experimental/ - https://blog.google/products/gemini/google-gemini-deep-research/ - https://support.google.com/gemini/answer/15719111 0:15:56 Gemini Canvas - https://gemini.google/overview/canvas/?hl=en 0:18:29 Gemini Gems - https://gemini.google/overview/gems/?hl=en - https://services.google.com/fh/files/misc/gems_one_pager_education.pdf - https://workspaceupdates.googleblog.com/2025/07/gems-in-the-side-panel-of-google-workspace-apps.html - https://support.google.com/docs/answer/14206696?hl=en&sjid=18317434446311439557-NA 0:21:55 Gemini for Education Safety and Privacy 0:23:11 Free vs. Pro: What You Get with Gemini for Education - https://gemini.google/subscriptions 0:27:30 Admin Controls in Gemini for Education - https://support.google.com/a/answer/14564320 - https://support.google.com/a/answer/14571493 - https://support.google.com/vault/answer/15695746 Send me your thoughts on Bluesky with #EduDuctTape or at Speakpipe.com/EduDuctTape!

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 on balancing tech with humanity in the classroom. #EduDuctTape This interview was originally aired on The Conversation Podcast by Rachel Daniels, John Hambrick, and Christina Grady-Watts of the Educational Service Center of Central Ohio. It is being re-aired here with their permission. You can access the original episode and other episodes of the show here: https://www.escco.org/TheConversationPodcast.aspx 0:00:00 INTRO 0:03:24 The Conversation: Beyond the Buzzword: Practical Applications of AI in the Classroom 0:04:30 Jake's Background 0:05:52 AI Trends in Education 0:10:16 What is Personalized Learning? 0:13:06 The Impact of AI on Personalized Learning 0:15:57 Teacher PD for AI Usaged 0:21:04 Where should Educators Start with AI?

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 learning to drive and the lessons we're both picking up along the way. #EduDuctTape Episode 127 0:00:00 INTRO 0:02:04 Soapbox Moment: Mirrors, Mailboxes, and Merging 0:07:06 EdTech & Education News & Updates 0:07:38 Quizizz Becomes Wayground https://wayground.com/home/from-quizizz-to-wayground?lng=en 0:11:45 A Font That Teaches Handwriting? Meet Playwrite. https://blog.google/outreach-initiatives/education/collaboration-creativity-tools/ https://fonts.googleblog.com/2024/06/playwrite-is-new-font-superfamily-for.html 0:13:55 Edpuzzle Moves Beyond Video https://edpuzzle.com/press/edpuzzle-quizzes-beta 0:15:30 New Add-ons in Google Classroom https://blog.google/outreach-initiatives/education/collaboration-creativity-tools/ 0:17:15 Innovative Sentences to Learn From https://thebrokencopier.substack.com/p/new-project-innovative-sentences https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1OdrbjMb9OT4fTrJtit-h1fIGyNFNchegSZwLc-A-62E/preview?slide=id.g22a3d5dd5f1_0_36 Send me your thoughts on Bluesky with #EduDuctTape or at Speakpipe.com/EduDuctTape!

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. EduDuctTape Episode 126 0:00:00 INTRO 0:01:47 Today's Guest: Fonz Mendoza Alfonso "Fonz" Mendoza Jr. is an educator, AI researcher, and host of My EdTech Life. He champions responsible innovation in education, blending technology, ethics, and heart. Contact Info: www.myedtech.life Socials @MyEdTechLife 0:06:35 Which of the Following Is Less Torturous? 0:12:01 Today's #EduDuctTape Question: What Tool Would You Use for Recording Screencasts? 0:13:14 Screencastify https://www.screencastify.com/ 0:24:41 Screencastify Quizzes https://www.screencastify.com/features/interactive-questions 0:27:51 Using Kami with Screencastify https://www.kamiapp.com/ 0:29:25 Just Press Record, But Do You Have to Assess It? 0:31:01 Setting a Time Limit 0:32:33 Screencasting for Language Acquisition 0:36:34 Camtasia https://www.techsmith.com/store/camtasia/education 0:36:48 Limitations to Screencastify 0:37:44 Kapwing https://www.kapwing.com/edu 0:44:18 ScreenPal https://screenpal.com/education 0:45:12 Free or Paid Tools? 0:49:12 Loom https://support.loom.com/hc/en-us/articles/360006579637-Loom-for-Education-Discounted-for-students-and-educators 0:54:59 NotebookLM: Public Sharing https://blog.google/technology/google-labs/notebooklm-public-notebooks/ 0:56:08 NotebookLM: Audio Overview in 50+ Languages https://blog.google/technology/google-labs/notebooklm-audio-overviews-50-languages/ 0:57:03 NotebookLM: Mobile App https://blog.google/technology/ai/notebooklm-app/ 0:58:07 Padlet Analytics https://padlet.blog/analytics-for-your-padlets 1:00:17 Google Lens in Chrome https://blog.google/outreach-initiatives/education/ai-tools-education-2025/ https://gizmodo.com/how-to-use-google-lens-in-a-chrome-browser-2000497352 https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/1325808 1:02:49 Quizizz is Changing Names! 1:04:40 The Shift to Student Led https://www.amazon.com/Shift-Student-Led-Reimagining-Classroom-Workflows/dp/1948334526 Send me your thoughts on Bluesky with #EduDuctTape or at Speakpipe.com/EduDuctTape!