Classroom Dynamics: A Teacher Podcast

Are We Replacing Teachers or Reinventing Them? Inside the Rise of AI Schools 

Step into the future of education with this thought-provoking episode of Classroom Dynamics: Bits & Bytes—where innovation meets real-world classroom impact.

What if students could complete their core academic learning in just two hours a day… and still outperform traditional models? It may sound futuristic, but it’s already happening in AI-powered learning environments like Alpha School, where artificial intelligence drives personalized instruction in math, reading, and science—adapting in real time to meet each student exactly where they are.

But this episode goes beyond the headline.

In this episode, we'll explore what happens after those two hours—when students shift their focus to life-ready skills like communication, collaboration, and entrepreneurship, guided by teachers who now serve as mentors and coaches rather than lecturers.

You’ll also hear how Seckinger High School is taking a different path—blending AI into a traditional public school model while empowering students to understand the technology itself, from machine learning to ethics.

This isn’t just a conversation about efficiency and innovation—it’s a deep dive into the evolving role of the teacher, the importance of human connection, and the critical questions facing education today:

•  Are we teaching students to use AI… or to understand it? 
•  What do we lose—and gain—when AI becomes the primary instructor? 
•  And in a world where content delivery is faster than ever… what truly matters most in learning? 

Whether you’re energized by the possibilities or questioning the implications, this episode challenges you to rethink what school can—and should—look like.

Because the future of education isn’t coming.

It’s already here.

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Follow Classroom Dynamics on Twitter @ClassDynamics, on Instagram @classroomdynamicspodcast, and on TikTok @classroomdynamics!

Find Classroom Dynamics on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music, and other popular podcast platforms.  You can also listen to us on YouTube! 

Classroom Dynamics LinkTr.ee.

Classroom Dynamics is the premier podcast for educators passionate about integrating technology into their classrooms. With a dedicated audience of teachers, administrators, and edtech enthusiasts, the show provides unparalleled access to decision-makers in the education sector. By advertising on Classroom Dynamics, your company can showcase innovative solutions to a highly engaged audience actively seeking tools to enhance teaching and learning. Each episode spotlights the latest trends, proven strategies, and success stories in edtech, making it the perfect platform to position your brand as a leader in educational innovation. Don’t miss the chance to connect directly with the educators shaping the future of technology in schools! 

Interested in advertising on our podcast?  Join other edtech companies in helping to ...

Inside Math Fact Lab: Rethinking the Way We Teach Math Facts 

For generations, math fact fluency has often meant one thing: speed. Timed tests. Flashcards. Memorization drills. But what if fluency isn’t about how fast students answer — but how deeply they understand?

In this episode of Classroom Dynamics, Adam Todd sits down with Mike Kenny, longtime fifth-grade math teacher and creator of Math Fact Lab, to unpack a powerful shift in how we think about math fact instruction.

After 15 years in the classroom and graduate work through the Vermont Mathematics Initiative, Mike encountered research that challenged the very foundation of traditional fluency practices. The science behind how students actually develop #math facts didn’t align with the speed-based models many of us grew up with. That realization sparked a complete rethinking — and ultimately led to the creation of Math Fact Lab.

Instead of focusing on rote memorization, Math Fact Lab centers on strategy, pattern recognition, and multiple representations — helping students build number sense through models like number lines and area models. The result? Fluency grounded in understanding, not anxiety.

Throughout the conversation, Adam and Mike explore why timed tests may miss the mark, what true fluency looks like in practice, and how teachers can thoughtfully shift toward research-aligned instruction without sacrificing rigor. They also discuss the design progression behind Math Fact Lab and what the future holds for strategy-based fluency in math education.

For educators who have ever wondered whether there’s a better way to teach math facts — this episode offers both reassurance and inspiration. It’s a reminder that when students see the patterns, math begins to make sense — and when math makes sense, confidence follows.

This is more than a conversation about math facts. It’s a professional reset.

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Follow Classroom Dynamics on Twitter @ClassDynamics, on Instagram @classroomdynamicspodcast, and on TikTok @classroomdynamics!

Find Classroom Dynamics on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music, and other popular podcast platforms.  You can also listen to us on YouTube! 

Classroom Dynamics LinkTr.ee.

Classroom Dynamics is the premier podcast for educators passionate about integrating technology into their classrooms. With a dedicated audience of teachers, administrators, and edtech enthusiasts, the show provides unparalleled access to decision-makers in the education sector. By advertising on Classroom Dynamics, your company can showcase innovative solutions to a highly engaged audience actively seeking tools to enhance teaching and learning. Each episode spotlights the latest trends, proven strategies, and success stories in edtech, making it the perfect platform to position your brand as a leader in educational innovation. Don’t miss the chance to connect directly with the educators shaping the future of technology in schools! 

Interested in advertising on our podcast?  Join other edtech companies in helping to ...

AI Meets the Classroom: What Canva Learn Grid Means for Teachers Right Now

In this episode of Classroom Dynamics: Bits & Bytes — the podcast within the podcast, host Adam Todd dives into one of the most significant shifts in educational technology we’ve seen yet, unveiled at Canva Create 2026.

At the center of the conversation is the introduction of Learn Grid from Canva—a powerful new AI-driven learning ecosystem designed to transform how teachers plan, differentiate, and deliver instruction. Far more than just another content library, Learn Grid brings thousands of curriculum-aligned resources together in one streamlined hub, organized by grade level, subject area, and learning objectives.

Imagine eliminating the nightly scramble across multiple websites, the endless searching for editable materials, and the time-consuming process of building every resource from scratch. Learn Grid aims to remove that friction entirely.

But the real breakthrough lies in its AI capabilities. Teachers can instantly generate customized instructional materials—including worksheets, graphic organizers, interactive activities, and more than 30 additional formats—each tailored to specific lesson goals. Whether it’s differentiation, subject transitions, or engagement-driven design, the platform responds in seconds with ready-to-use resources that align to standards and support diverse learners, including multilingual classrooms.

In this episode, Adam explores what it means when a tool evolves from a design platform into an instructional partner—one that blends creativity, artificial intelligence, and pedagogy into a single workflow.

More than just a feature update, Learn Grid signals a broader shift in education: less time spent planning, more time teaching, and a growing expectation that AI will actively support the instructional process.

Tune in to discover how educators can begin integrating Learn Grid immediately—and what this innovation might mean for the future of lesson design, classroom efficiency, and student engagement.

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Follow Classroom Dynamics on Twitter @ClassDynamics, on Instagram @classroomdynamicspodcast, and on TikTok @classroomdynamics!

Find Classroom Dynamics on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music, and other popular podcast platforms.  You can also listen to us on YouTube! 

Classroom Dynamics LinkTr.ee.

Classroom Dynamics is the premier podcast for educators passionate about integrating technology into their classrooms. With a dedicated audience of teachers, administrators, and edtech enthusiasts, the show provides unparalleled access to decision-makers in the education sector. By advertising on Classroom Dynamics, your company can showcase innovative solutions to a highly engaged audience actively seeking tools to enhance teaching and learning. Each episode spotlights the latest trends, proven strategies, and success stories in edtech, making it the perfect platform to position your brand as a leader in educational innovation. Don’t miss the chance to connect directly with the educators shaping the future of technology in schools! 

Interested in advertising on our podcast?  Join other edtech companies in helping to ...

Smart Tools, Strong Foundations: Rethinking AI’s Role in Student Learning 

Artificial intelligence is no longer a future concept—it’s already reshaping today’s classrooms. In this episode of Classroom Dynamics, we discuss one of the most timely and searched topics in #education right now: #AI in the classroom.

Joined by Max Shuchman, #education leader, consultant, and expert at the intersection of #EdTech, immersive learning, and AI literacy, this conversation explores what’s actually working with AI tools—and what isn’t. From platforms like ThingLink to Max’s work with AI Circles, you’ll hear real-world insights on how educators are thoughtfully integrating AI in age-appropriate, ethical, and instructionally sound ways.

Together, Adam and Max unpack:

• What #teachers are seeing right now with AI integration in K–12 classrooms
• Why AI literacy is becoming an essential skill for students
• The importance of #reading comprehension, critical thinking, and evaluating sources in an AI-driven #earning environment
• Common AI implementation mistakes schools make—even with the best intentions
• Practical strategies for modeling responsible, effective, and meaningful AI use for students

If you’re a #teacher, instructional coach, school leader, or EdTech enthusiast wondering how to balance innovation with strong #instructional foundations, this episode delivers practical takeaways, mindset shifts, and classroom-ready ideas you can start using right away.

🎧 Tune in to Classroom Dynamics for an honest, educator-centered conversation about AI in #education, responsible #technology use, and preparing students for the future—without losing what matters most in teaching and learning.

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Follow Classroom Dynamics on Twitter @ClassDynamics, on Instagram @classroomdynamicspodcast, and on TikTok @classroomdynamics!

Find Classroom Dynamics on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music, and other popular podcast platforms.  You can also listen to us on YouTube! 

Classroom Dynamics LinkTr.ee.

Classroom Dynamics is the premier podcast for educators passionate about integrating technology into their classrooms. With a dedicated audience of teachers, administrators, and edtech enthusiasts, the show provides unparalleled access to decision-makers in the education sector. By advertising on Classroom Dynamics, your company can showcase innovative solutions to a highly engaged audience actively seeking tools to enhance teaching and learning. Each episode spotlights the latest trends, proven strategies, and success stories in edtech, making it the perfect platform to position your brand as a leader in educational innovation. Don’t miss the chance to connect directly with the educators shaping the future of technology in schools! 

Interested in advertising on our podcast?  Join other edtech companies in helping to ...

How to Build Your Teacher Brand Online: Practical Ed Branding Tips That Work 

Are you telling your school’s story… or is someone else telling it for you?

In this episode of Classroom Dynamics, host Adam Todd sits down with Dr. Renae Bryant, co-author of The Ed Branding Book and host of the Your Story Matters podcast—to unpack a game-changing idea for educators: becoming the media.

In today’s 21st-century landscape, perception shapes reality. Trust influences funding. Visibility fuels opportunity. And the schools that control their narrative are the schools that thrive.

Dr. Bryant reveals how #teachers, schools, and entire districts can strategically build their brand—not for vanity, but for impact. From strengthening community trust to supporting school bonds and funding initiatives, you’ll discover why storytelling is no longer optional… it’s essential.

Inside this episode, you’ll learn:

• What Ed-Branding really means (and why it’s not just marketing buzzwords)
• How educators can begin building a professional brand—without feeling overwhelmed
• Practical strategies for communicating vision with clarity and credibility
• The biggest branding mistakes schools make—and how to avoid them
• How empowering students through blogs, podcasts, and vlogs increases engagement and learning outcomes
• The easiest platform for teachers to start sharing their story today

If you’ve ever felt frustrated by negative narratives about education…if you’ve wondered how to highlight the incredible work happening in your classroom…if you want your school community to feel more connected, supportive, and invested…

This conversation will shift your mindset — and give you actionable tools you can use immediately.

Because in #education, your story isn’t extra. It’s everything.

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Follow Classroom Dynamics on Twitter @ClassDynamics, on Instagram @classroomdynamicspodcast, and on TikTok @classroomdynamics!

Find Classroom Dynamics on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music, and other popular podcast platforms.  You can also listen to us on YouTube! 

Classroom Dynamics LinkTr.ee.

Classroom Dynamics is the premier podcast for educators passionate about integrating technology into their classrooms. With a dedicated audience of teachers, administrators, and edtech enthusiasts, the show provides unparalleled access to decision-makers in the education sector. By advertising on Classroom Dynamics, your company can showcase innovative solutions to a highly engaged audience actively seeking tools to enhance teaching and learning. Each episode spotlights the latest trends, proven strategies, and success stories in edtech, making it the perfect platform to position your brand as a leader in educational innovation. Don’t miss the chance to connect directly with the educators shaping the future of technology in schools! 

Interested in advertising on our podcast?  Join other edtech companies in helping to ...

The Power of Better Questions: Teaching Kids to Prompt, Re-Prompt, and Think Critically with AI

Welcome to Classroom Dynamics: Bits & Bytes — the podcast within the podcast, where innovation meets real classroom practice. In this episode, host Adam Todd breaks down one of the most important (and often misunderstood) skills in today’s classrooms: AI prompt engineering for elementary and middle school students.

What does it really mean to “talk” to AI, and how can we teach students to do it effectively?

Adam simplifies the concept by framing AI as a powerful assistant that depends entirely on how clearly we communicate. Through relatable classroom examples, you’ll hear how a vague prompt like “Tell me about space” transforms into a purposeful learning experience with more focused, student-friendly language.

You’ll walk away with practical strategies you can use immediately, including:

•  The 3-Part Prompt Framework (Topic, Task, Audience) to help students structure better questions 
•  The importance of re-prompting as a form of revision and deeper thinking 
•  Simple ways to teach students how to evaluate AI responses for accuracy and reliability 
•  Classroom routines that build critical thinking and digital literacy skills

This episode doesn’t just introduce AI—it shows you how to empower students to think with it, question it, and learn through it.

If you’re looking to bring AI into your classroom in a meaningful, developmentally appropriate way, this is a must-listen.

Because in today’s world, the quality of the question doesn’t just guide learning… it shapes it.

🎧 Stay tuned as Bits & Bytes take it a step further and explore the science behind prompt engineering!

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Follow Classroom Dynamics on Twitter @ClassDynamics, on Instagram @classroomdynamicspodcast, and on TikTok @classroomdynamics!

Find Classroom Dynamics on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music, and other popular podcast platforms.  You can also listen to us on YouTube! 

Classroom Dynamics LinkTr.ee.

Classroom Dynamics is the premier podcast for educators passionate about integrating technology into their classrooms. With a dedicated audience of teachers, administrators, and edtech enthusiasts, the show provides unparalleled access to decision-makers in the education sector. By advertising on Classroom Dynamics, your company can showcase innovative solutions to a highly engaged audience actively seeking tools to enhance teaching and learning. Each episode spotlights the latest trends, proven strategies, and success stories in edtech, making it the perfect platform to position your brand as a leader in educational innovation. Don’t miss the chance to connect directly with the educators shaping the future of technology in schools! 

Interested in advertising on our podcast?  Join other edtech companies in helping to ...

Surfing the AI Wave: Gabriel Yanagihara on AI Innovation in Education

What does it really look like when AI is done right in education?

In this powerful episode of Classroom Dynamics, we take you from the energy of SXSW EDU in Austin, Texas… all the way to the classrooms of Honolulu, Hawaii—where a quiet revolution in #AI #education is already underway.

Meet Gabriel Yanagihara, an emerging technologies #teacher who is a forward-thinking educator and changemaker.  Gabriel isn’t just talking about artificial intelligence, he’s building a movement around it.

From his roots growing up on Maui to leading groundbreaking AI programs at ‘Iolani School, Gabriel is redefining what it means to prepare students for the future. With over 2,500 educators trained and initiatives reaching millions, his work blends cutting-edge technology with culture, creativity, and ethical responsibility.

🔥 In this episode, you’ll discover:

•  How one #teacher turned curiosity into a statewide AI movement 
•  What AI actually looks like in an elementary classroom (hint: it’s not what you think) 
•  How students are using AI to enhance writing—not replace thinking 
•  Real strategies to address AI skeptics—both #educators and parents 
•  Simple, high-impact AI projects you can try with your students tomorrow

Plus, we revisit Adam’s live, on-the-ground conversation with Gabriel at SXSW—this time with the depth, clarity, and insight educators have been craving.

If you’ve been curious, cautious, or even concerned about AI in education… this episode will challenge your thinking and leave you inspired.

Because while the world debates AI, classrooms like Gabriel’s are already showing us what’s possible.

🎧 This is more than a conversation—it’s your roadmap to the future of teaching.

👉 Hit follow and join thousands of educators using Classroom Dynamics as their weekly professional reset.

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Follow Classroom Dynamics on Twitter @ClassDynamics, on Instagram @classroomdynamicspodcast, and on TikTok @classroomdynamics!

Find Classroom Dynamics on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music, and other popular podcast platforms.  You can also listen to us on YouTube! 

Classroom Dynamics LinkTr.ee.

Classroom Dynamics is the premier podcast for educators passionate about integrating technology into their classrooms. With a dedicated audience of teachers, administrators, and edtech enthusiasts, the show provides unparalleled access to decision-makers in the education sector. By advertising on Classroom Dynamics, your company can showcase innovative solutions to a highly engaged audience actively seeking tools to enhance teaching and learning. Each episode spotlights the latest trends, proven strategies, and success stories in edtech, making it the perfect platform to position your brand as a leader in educational innovation. Don’t miss the chance to connect directly with the educators shaping the future of technology in schools! 

Interested in advertising on our podcast?  Join other edtech companies in helping to ...

Logitech Zone Learn: Eco-Friendly Innovation in Education 

This Earth Month, Classroom Dynamics is turning the spotlight on a game-changing piece of classroom tech: the Zone Learn Headset from Logitech. Designed with students, educators, and the planet in mind, this headset is redefining what it means to build technology responsibly.

Logitech isn’t just creating smart products—they’re leading the charge in sustainability. From their “Next Life Plastics” program to using recycled materials, they’re making eco-conscious design the new standard in educational technology.

What sets the Zone Learn Headset apart? It’s built to last. Swappable parts, upgradeable earpads and cables, and a three-year warranty mean less waste, fewer replacements, and a smaller environmental footprint—proof that smart design and sustainability can go hand in hand.

In this episode, we sit down with Grace Lee and Gaurav Bradoo from Logitech to explore how this innovative headset—and their broader sustainability initiatives—are helping classrooms work smarter, greener, and longer.

Tune in to hear how the Zone Learn Headset is changing the game for students, teachers, and our planet—because technology that lasts is technology that matters. 🌱

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Follow Classroom Dynamics on Twitter @ClassDynamics, on Instagram @classroomdynamicspodcast, and on TikTok @classroomdynamics!

Find Classroom Dynamics on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music, and other popular podcast platforms.  You can also listen to us on YouTube! 

Classroom Dynamics LinkTr.ee.

Classroom Dynamics is the premier podcast for educators passionate about integrating technology into their classrooms. With a dedicated audience of teachers, administrators, and edtech enthusiasts, the show provides unparalleled access to decision-makers in the education sector. By advertising on Classroom Dynamics, your company can showcase innovative solutions to a highly engaged audience actively seeking tools to enhance teaching and learning. Each episode spotlights the latest trends, proven strategies, and success stories in edtech, making it the perfect platform to position your brand as a leader in educational innovation. Don’t miss the chance to connect directly with the educators shaping the future of technology in schools! 

Interested in advertising on our podcast?  Join other edtech companies in helping to ...

Attention Spans, Reading Comprehension, and 1:1 Devices: Lessons from Sweden’s Education Reset 

Did one of the world’s most tech-forward education systems just admit we went too far with classroom screens?

In this Classroom Dynamics: Bits & Bytes short, we unpack why Sweden is reinvesting in printed textbooks, handwriting, and paper-based instruction after years of leading the digital #learning movement. Backed by research from the Karolinska Institute, new findings link excessive screen use to declines in reading comprehension, attention span, and deep learning retention.

Is this a warning sign for 1:1 device schools? What does cognitive science really say about handwriting vs. typing? And how should educators balance educational technology, AI integration, and foundational literacy skills in 2026?

If you're a #teacher, instructional leader, #edtech innovator, or curriculum designer navigating digital curriculum decisions, this episode delivers timely insights on screen time in schools, brain-based learning, and the future of balanced classroom #technology.

Before you add another app to your toolkit — listen to this.

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Follow Classroom Dynamics on Twitter @ClassDynamics, on Instagram @classroomdynamicspodcast, and on TikTok @classroomdynamics!

Find Classroom Dynamics on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music, and other popular podcast platforms.  You can also listen to us on YouTube! 

Classroom Dynamics LinkTr.ee.

Classroom Dynamics is the premier podcast for educators passionate about integrating technology into their classrooms. With a dedicated audience of teachers, administrators, and edtech enthusiasts, the show provides unparalleled access to decision-makers in the education sector. By advertising on Classroom Dynamics, your company can showcase innovative solutions to a highly engaged audience actively seeking tools to enhance teaching and learning. Each episode spotlights the latest trends, proven strategies, and success stories in edtech, making it the perfect platform to position your brand as a leader in educational innovation. Don’t miss the chance to connect directly with the educators shaping the future of technology in schools! 

Interested in advertising on our podcast?  Join other edtech companies in helping to ...

Age Is Just a Number: Inside the Sweet Rise of Delicious Donuts Inc and 14-Year Old Kiran Madan

On this inspiring episode of Classroom Dynamics, host Adam Todd welcomes a remarkable young entrepreneur who proves that innovation has no age requirement. At just 11 years old, Kiran Madan transformed a simple pandemic idea—selling mini cake donuts in his neighborhood—into a thriving small business. Now 14 and the founder of Delicious Donuts Inc, Kiran is crafting inventive flavors, building community through food, and even authoring his own cookbook, The Donut Way.

In this episode, Kiran shares how creativity, trial and error, branding, and resilience fueled his journey from kitchen experiments to confident CEO. Together, we explore powerful lessons for educators: how to nurture student ideas, cultivate entrepreneurial thinking, and show young people that their passions have real-world value. If you’re ready for a conversation about purpose, perseverance, and the sweet spot where learning meets leadership, this episode is your weekly professional reset.

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Follow Classroom Dynamics on Twitter @ClassDynamics, on Instagram @classroomdynamicspodcast, and on TikTok @classroomdynamics!

Find Classroom Dynamics on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music, and other popular podcast platforms.  You can also listen to us on YouTube! 

Classroom Dynamics LinkTr.ee.

Classroom Dynamics is the premier podcast for educators passionate about integrating technology into their classrooms. With a dedicated audience of teachers, administrators, and edtech enthusiasts, the show provides unparalleled access to decision-makers in the education sector. By advertising on Classroom Dynamics, your company can showcase innovative solutions to a highly engaged audience actively seeking tools to enhance teaching and learning. Each episode spotlights the latest trends, proven strategies, and success stories in edtech, making it the perfect platform to position your brand as a leader in educational innovation. Don’t miss the chance to connect directly with the educators shaping the future of technology in schools! 

Interested in advertising on our podcast?  Join other edtech companies in helping to ...