Welcome to the EdTech Throwdown.  This is Episode 222 called 6 Strategies for Battling Student Apathy.   In this episode we’ll discuss the hot topic of student apathy, whether or not we think this is real, and how to battle it.  This is another episode you don’t want to miss, Check it out.

There is lots of talk about student apathy these days.  Have we seen this for ourselves?

Nick says, maybe

1. Learning Packages (Modular, Choice-Based Bundles)

What it is: Consolidating multi-step tasks, content resources, and assessments into self-paced, modular units rather than handing out isolated daily assignments.

How it decreases apathy: Apathy flourishes when students feel like passive order-takers. Learning packages restore autonomy by giving students control over their pace and offering choices in how they acquire knowledge and show mastery (e.g., choice boards). Having a visible roadmap eliminates ambiguity and lets students build momentum independently.

2. Authentic / Real-World Task Framing (PBL)

What it is: Structuring assignments around real-world problems, community impact projects, or public audiences (e.g., presenting to local business leaders or publishing a podcast).

How it decreases apathy: Apathy is often a rational response to perceived irrelevance. When work moves beyond "doing it for the teacher’s gradebook" to solving a real problem or addressing an authentic audience, students see immediate value and purpose in completing it.

3. Competency-Based / Mastery Revision Policies

What it is: Replacing rigid "one-and-done" deadlines with a system where students can revise, resubmit, or retake assessments until they prove standard mastery.

How it decreases apathy: "Learned helplessness" drives a huge portion of student apathy—if a student believes they will fail anyway, checking out protects their self-esteem. Reframe work as a process of continuous growth removes the fear of permanent failure, motivating students to stick with a task until they get it right.

4. Gamified Micro-Milestones & Visual Progress

What it is: Breaking large assignments into bite-sized checkpoints unlocked sequentially, often mapped on a visual progress bar or Kanban board (To Do, In Progress, Done).

How it decreases apathy: Long assignments can feel overwhelming, triggering avoidance and apathy. Micro-milestones create immediate feedback loops and quick wins, giving students frequent hits of satisfaction as they physically check off steps and watch their progress advance.

5. Interdependent Peer Accountability (Cooperative Learning)

What it is: Designing collaborative structures (like the Jigsaw method or small-group roles) where every team member holds a piece of the puzzle necessary for the group's success.

How it decreases apathy: Students are often indifferent to compliance requests from authority figures, but they care deeply about their social standing with peers. When their effort directly supports or impacts their classmates, peer accountability activates social motivation.

6. Utility-Value Reflection Prompts

What it is: Embedding short reflection questions at the beginning or end of assignments asking students to articulate how a skill connects to their personal goals, interests, or future plans.

How it decreases apathy: Psychological research shows that when students explicitly write down why a skill matters to their own life (e.g., "How does analyzing arguments help you negotiate or spot misinformation?"), their intrinsic motivation and assignment completion rates increase significantly.

Edtech Throwdown: 

Vote on twitter @edtechthrowdown and under the pinned post on the profile.

Segment 3: Where to Find EdTech Throwdown

Do us a few favors:

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Music Credits:

• Intro and Outro Music-American Idle - RKVC
• Segment Identifiers-Duck in the Alley - TrackTribe
• Edtech Throwdown-Born a Rockstar (Instrumental) - NEFEX

Need a Presenter?

As experienced presenters and content creators, you can contact Nick and Guise to speak at your school, event, or conference. They can customize a workshop that meets your organization’s unique time and content needs. While no topic is out of bounds, we are best known for sessions on:

• AI For Teachers, Admin, and Parents
• 1:1 Chromebook Integration
• EdTech Throwdown
• TargetED Learning
• Gamification (Badge Systems)
• Game-Based Learning (Escape Rooms, Amazing Race, and more)
• Google apps and extensions
• Personalized learning and Choice Boards
• Teacher productivity (Lesson Planning, Online Grading. and Feedback)
• Digital content creation
• Student Podcasting
• Screencasting
• Flipped Classroom
• Student-Centered Learning

Welcome to the EdTech Throwdown.  This is Episode 221 called 10 Tools for Specialized AI and Productivity.   In this episode we’ll be talking edtech tools as we bring you a list of some atypical AI platforms that might not otherwise come up for educators.  This is another episode you don’t want to miss.  Check it out.

Happy August, happy end of summer break

We’re almost fully re-charged and starting to think about things like productivity again

• Nick: abacus.ai: Abacus.AI is the world's first AI super-assistant tailored for enterprises and professionals. We offer two products: ChatLLM for professionals and small teams and Abacus.AI Enterprise for enterprises and companies.  ChatLLM is a multi-modal, multi-device super-assistant that can handle many tasks and completely transform your life. You can access all of the SOTA LLMs, analyze documents, do data analysis, generate code, search the web, create images, and much more. It's your all-in-one AI assistant and increases individual productivity by 15% to 75%.  Abacus.AI Enterprise is a state-of-the-art generative AI platform that combines the AI super assistant available to all your employees with an AI brain that can connect to your enterprise software systems, automate business processes, increase revenue, and be a powerful force multiplier. Our AI engineer can build AI Workflows and chatbots to automate critical processes. Our Enterprise product comes with single sign-on, multiple deployment options and checks all the security and compliance boxes.
• Guise:studley.ai
• Why:Specialized AI platforms designed for more complex, data-heavy, or professional-grade automation and modeling.
• Nick: openalternative.co: What is the difference between open source and proprietary?  Proprietary AI Tools: These are "closed-source" models developed and owned by specific companies (e.g., OpenAI’s GPT-4/5, Google’s Gemini, Anthropic’s Claude). You typically access them via an API or a web interface. The underlying code, training data, and exact model weights are a "black box" hidden from the public.  Open-Source (Open-Weight) AI Tools: These are models whose code and weights are publicly shared (e.g., Meta’s Llama series, Mistral, Qwen, and DeepSeek). Anyone can download them, look under the hood, modify them, and run them on their own hardware or private cloud. 
• Guise: The Most Comprehensive List of FREE Online Tools for Teachers 
• Why:Both promote open-source ethics, whether finding alternatives to paid software or using privacy-focused media downloaders.
• Nick: smart.servier.com
• Guise: runable.com
• Why:High-level technical resources; one offers medical illustrations, while the other focuses on executable code environments.
• Nick:Workout.cool
• Guise: Koupon
• Why:Personal optimization tools—one for physical fitness routines and the other for optimizing shopping/savings.
• Nick:  Internet Archive:https://web.archive.org/
• Guise: Same.new
• Why:Part of the ".new" domain movement, providing instant, one-click access to start a new coding or collaborative project.

Edtech Throwdown: 

Vote on twitter @edtechthrowdown and under the pinned post on the profile.

Do us a few favors:

1. Subscribe to the Edtech Throwdown Podcast
2. Apple Podcasts
3. Spotify
4. Amazon Podcasts
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9. Write us an Apple Podcast Review!
10. Tell your friends aboutwww.edtechthrowdown.com
11. Tell your friends about the Teach Better Podcast Network

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Music Credits:

• Intro and Outro Music-American Idle - RKVC
• Segment Identifiers-Duck in the Alley - TrackTribe
• Edtech Throwdown-Born a Rockstar (Instrumental) - NEFEX

Need a Presenter?

As experienced presenters and content creators, you can contact Nick and Guise to speak at your school, event, or conference. They can customize a workshop that meets your organization’s unique time and content needs. While no topic is out of bounds, we are best known for sessions on:

• AI For Teachers, Admin, and Parents
• 1:1 Chromebook Integration
• EdTech Throwdown
• TargetED Learning
• Gamification (Badge Systems)
• Game-Based Learning (Escape Rooms, Amazing Race, and more)
• Google apps and extensions
• Personalized learning and Choice Boards
• Teacher productivity (Lesson Planning, Online Grading. and Feedback)
• Digital content creation
• Student Podcasting
• Screencasting
• Flipped Classroom
• Student-Centered Learning

Welcome to the EdTech Throwdown.  This is Episode 220 called 8 Lesson Ideas Inspired by Video Games.   In this episode we’ll break down some ways that you can leverage video games for creative lesson ideas.  This can be a fun way to make your class more engaging and encourage student buy-in.  This is another episode you don’t want to miss,  check it out.

What might some of our listeners have more time for in the summer?  Video games!  I don’t play them.  Does Guise?

1. Video Game Map Choice Boards:  Use video game maps as a choice board template.  Here is asampleusing FORTNITE as a Digital Menu.  Set up the tech any way you like, I would probably do Google Slides transparent elements that link out to other places.
2. The Battle Pass Grading Scheme:Change up the grading scheme.  Instead of a traditional grading sheet, give students a "Battle Pass" tracker. Completing mandatory tasks earns them "XP" (points) to level up. Offer "Weekly Challenges" (optional bonus questions or creative projects) that unlock cosmetic rewards, like choosing the classroom music, getting a digital badge, or earning a "skip one homework assignment" voucher.
3. Among Us: "Spot the Impostor" Source Analysis.  This activity turns critical thinking, debate, and fact-checking into a high-stakes deduction game.  
4. How it Works:  Divide students into small groups and hand them a packet of information—such as four short summaries of a historical event, four scientific claims, or four math equations worked out step-by-step.  Among the real data, there is one Impostor (a text containing a historical fallacy, a grammatical error, misinformation, or a math mistake).  Students must complete "tasks" (analyze the text) and call an Emergency Meeting to debate which source is "sus." To vote a source out, they must back up their claim with textual evidence or proof.
5. Fortnite Inspired Room Escapes.  The setting for this fun room escape is Fortnite.  Create this using any video game and any digital template you prefer. Here is a oneon Greek Mythology available for purchase that inspired this idea.
6. Minecraft Education Edition for biome creation.  In Minecraft, a biome is a distinct geographical region within a world that features its own unique terrain, climate, vegetation, and colors. Biomes determine what resources you can gather, which animals (mobs) will spawn naturally, and even whether it rains or snows.
7. Animal Crossinginspired town building activity.  Island Design: Students are given a blank grid sheet to map out their own "Island Community." They must decide where to put public spaces, businesses, and residential zones.  The Bell Economy: Introduce a classroom currency ("Bells"). Students earn Bells for completing assignments or displaying good citizenship. They must budget their Bells to buy "furniture" or upgrades for their paper island (e.g., printable stickers of trees, bridges, or buildings).  Town Ordinances: Introduce civics by letting the class vote on a weekly "Town Ordinance"—a classroom rule that everyone must follow (like "Friendly Friday" where every desk transition requires a high-five).
8. Narrative writing with a video game twist.  Students do a traditional paper and pencil narrative writing assignment, but about a video game of their choice.  Then use Canva book cover templates and Magic Media AI to edit the template to match their video game inspired story. Here is a samplefrom the Merrils where Canva was used to create a video game cover after a narrative writing assignment.
9. Pokémon: "Evolutionary" Adaptation Trading Cards:  Two different content approaches here, one for science and one for ELA
10. In Science: Students choose a real-life animal and design a three-stage "Evolutionary Line" card game deck based on its lineage (e.g., an ancient ancestor, a prehistoric link, and the modern animal). They list its "Type" (habitat), "HP" (population status), and "Attacks" (physical or behavioral adaptations).  
11. In ELA: Students create trading cards for characters in a novel. A character's "Stats" (such as Bravery, Empathy, or Wisdom) change as they grow. When a character hits a major turning point in the plot, they "evolve" into a new card stage with updated stats and an altered description.

Edtech Throwdown: 

Vote on twitter @edtechthrowdown and under the pinned post on the profile.

Do us a few favors:

1. Subscribe to the Edtech Throwdown Podcast
2. Apple Podcasts
3. Spotify
4. Amazon Podcasts
5. Stitcher  
6. YouTube  
7. Twitter   
8. Facebook
9. Write us an Apple Podcast Review!
10. Tell your friends aboutwww.edtechthrowdown.com
11. Tell your friends about the Teach Better Podcast Network

Subscribe to our Podcast Channels and Socials

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• Spotify  
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Connect with us on Social Media

Guise’s Social Media

• Twitter(@guisegotteched)
• LinkedIn

Nick’s Social Media

• Twitter(@nickgotteched)

Music Credits:

• Intro and Outro Music-American Idle - RKVC
• Segment Identifiers-Duck in the Alley - TrackTribe
• Edtech Throwdown-Born a Rockstar (Instrumental) - NEFEX

Need a Presenter?

As experienced presenters and content creators, you can contact Nick and Guise to speak at your school, event, or conference. They can customize a workshop that meets your organization’s unique time and content needs. While no topic is out of bounds, we are best known for sessions on:

• AI For Teachers, Admin, and Parents
• 1:1 Chromebook Integration
• EdTech Throwdown
• TargetED Learning
• Gamification (Badge Systems)
• Game-Based Learning (Escape Rooms, Amazing Race, and more)
• Google apps and extensions
• Personalized learning and Choice Boards
• Teacher productivity (Lesson Planning, Online Grading. and Feedback)
• Digital content creation
• Student Podcasting
• Screencasting
• Flipped Classroom
• Student-Centered Learning

Welcome to the EdTech Throwdown.  This is Episode 219 called 10 Edtech Tools for Study Skills and Problem Solving.   In this episode we’ll be talking about a list of edtech tools that is all about the elusive beast called increasing student study skills.  Check out this unique list and see if something jumps out to you.  This is another episode you don’t want to miss.  Check it out.

Happy summer break

• Nick:Mathgpt
• Guise: getsolved.ai          
• Why:AI tutors specifically designed to help students break down complex problems and find step-by-step solutions.

• Nick: classcentral.com
• Guise: alison.com
• Why:Platforms dedicated to free online learning, certificates, and tracking MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses).

• Nick:Paper2gal.top: Paper2Gal.top (commonly known as Paper2Gal) is an AI-powered educational tool that converts dense academic papers, essays, and study materials into interactive visual novels, or "galgames".Instead of reading dry PDFs or textbooks, users can upload documents to the platform, select an animated anime-style partner, and learn the material through dialogue, character interactions, and quizzes.
• Guise: NotieAI
• Why:Snap a photo of any handwritten assignment. Notie AI grades it automatically, with expert comments, a score, and personalized feedback, in under 30 seconds.

• Nick: learn-anything.xyz
• Guise: instructables.com
• Why:Educational guides; one provides a visual roadmap for learning any subject, the other provides DIY project instructions.

• Nick:ifixit.com
• Guise: activepieces.com
• Why: automation saves time!  

Edtech Throwdown Episode 218: 12 Months of Impact: The Ultimate Student Engagement Roadmap 

Welcome to the EdTech Throwdown.  This is Episode 218 called 12 Months of Impact: The Ultimate Student Engagement Roadmap.   In this episode we’ll talk about heritage and awareness month celebrations as the driving force behind meaningful and engaging lessons.  Make your projects timely and more impactful with these creative ideas.  This is another episode you don’t want to miss, check it out.

Segment 1:

I recently was clicking around Canva and saw that april? Is national poetry month and that they were sponsoring a contest where students had to make a visual representation of a poem of their choice and submit it to the competition.  Got me thinking … we have 12 months in each year, why not take advantage of them for classroom projects!

General tip - research for competitions a few months before and then require your students participate as part of your class.

Segment 2:

(Sept 15 – Oct 15)

• The Project:"Mosaic of Many Lands"
• The Goal:Students explore the diverse countries that make up Hispanic heritage. Each student or small group creates a "travel brochure" for a specific country, focusing on food, music, and traditions that have influenced global culture.  Tailor it to your content area by asking for specific types of items to be featured in the brochure.
• Tech extension: Canva

• The Project:"The Community Story-Walk"
• The Goal:Students write a collaborative story where each person contributes one sentence and one illustration.  Choose the topic of the story to fit your curriculum.  The final story is posted page-by-page along a hallway or fence, allowing others to "walk" through the narrative.
• Tech extension: Boomwriter,Storyboardthat,bookcreator

• The Project:"Land Acknowledgement & Ecology Map"
• The Goal:Students research the Indigenous tribes original to their specific geographic area. They create a map that focuses on the natural landmarks (rivers, flora, fauna, geological features) that were historically significant to those tribes, connecting history with the environment.
• Tech side:  Make it interactive with QR code audio narrations,thinklink

• The Project:"The Kindness Advent Calendar"
• The Goal:The group creates a countdown to the end of the year where every day reveals a small, "no-cost" act of service (e.g., "Write a thank-you note to a custodian," or "Invite someone new to sit with you").
• Tech extension:  Film some of the acts being completed and edit them into a large social media inspired videoWeVideo,Canva VideoGoogle Vids

• The Project:"The Advice Exchange"
• The Goal:Students are paired with someone from a different grade level (older or younger). They create a "Survival Guide" for their current grade or a "Letter to My Future Self" to share with their partner, fostering a culture of peer-to-peer support.
• TIME CAPSULE
• Tech extension:  Turn this into a lesson on AI ethics.  Ask an approved edtech tool to generate these prompts before students begin.  Then ask the Ss to discuss what they notice.  They should see that the AI tool makes up information that it can’t find.

• The Project:"The Unsung Heroes Podcast"
• The Goal:Students research a Black figure who isn't typically featured in standard textbooks (inventors, local community leaders, or lesser-known artists). They record a 2-minute "podcast segment" or "radio spot" highlighting that person's impact.
• Tech extension:  Google Vids would be great for thisspotify creator

• The Project:"Future Me Interview"
• The Goal:Students identify a living woman in their community or a professional field they admire. They develop a list of interview questions and—if possible—conduct a brief interview, or write a "speculative biography" of what their own life might look like if they followed in those footsteps.
• Tech extension:  Turn it into a real blog post and post it on a class website using Canva or Google Siteswavacity

• The Project:"The Trash-to-Treasure Fashion Show"
• The Goal:Students design and "walk" a piece of wearable art made entirely from clean, recycled materials (plastic caps, old newspapers, cardboard). It emphasizes creative reuse over consumption.
• Tech extension:  Photograph the ensembles and use Canva templates to create fake social media marketing posts for each.

• The Project:"The Classroom Zen Den"
• The Goal:As a group, students design a physical or digital "calm-down space." They curate a list of non-academic activities that help them de-stress, such as specific playlists, fidget tools, or guided breathing prompts they can use during breaks.  Make it real and have your students present their design to administration.
• Tech extension:  This takes care of itself since students will be required to find digital tools.Calm

• The Project:"The Identity Quilt"
• The Goal:Every student receives a paper square to decorate with symbols, colors, and words that represent their unique identity. When taped together, it creates a massive, inclusive wall display.
• Tech extension: jigsawmake

Edtech Throwdown: 

Vote on twitter @edtechthrowdown and under the pinned post on the profile.

Segment 3: Where to Find EdTech Throwdown

Do us a few favors:

1. Subscribe to the Edtech Throwdown Podcast
2. Apple Podcasts
3. Spotify
4. Amazon Podcasts
5. Stitcher  
6. YouTube  
7. Twitter   
8. Facebook
9. Write us an Apple Podcast Review!
10. Tell your friends aboutwww.edtechthrowdown.com
11. Tell your friends about the Teach Better Podcast Network

Subscribe to our Podcast Channels and Socials

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify  
• YouTube  
• Twitter  (@edtechthrowdown)
• Facebook
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Connect with us on Social Media

Guise’s Social Media

• Twitter(@guisegotteched)
• LinkedIn

Nick’s Social Media

• Twitter(@nickgotteched)

Music Credits:

• Intro and Outro Music-American Idle - RKVC
• Segment Identifiers-Duck in the Alley - TrackTribe
• Edtech Throwdown-Born a Rockstar (Instrumental) - NEFEX

Need a Presenter?

As experienced presenters and content creators, you can contact Nick and Guise to speak at your school, event, or conference. They can customize a workshop that meets your organization’s unique time and content needs. While no topic is out of bounds, we are best known for sessions on:

• AI For Teachers, Admin, and Parents
• 1:1 Chromebook Integration
• EdTech Throwdown
• TargetED Learning
• Gamification (Badge Systems)
• Game-Based Learning (Escape Rooms, Amazing Race, and more)
• Google apps and extensions
• Personalized learning and Choice Boards
• Teacher productivity (Lesson Planning, Online Grading. and Feedback)
• Digital content creation
• Student Podcasting
• Screencasting
• Flipped Classroom
• Student-Centered Learning

Welcome to the EdTech Throwdown.  This is Episode 216 called (More) Awesome Edtech for the Summer.  Every year when school ends we publish an episode where Guise and I share what we’ll be reading, listening to, and exploring over the summer break. 216 is that episode and this is another you don’t want to miss, check it out.

Summer plans

Nick

Podcasts

1. Sweat the Technique- How do we get better, faster? A group of pathbreaking educators come together weekly to answer that question, applying lessons from the classroom to all areas of life - from parenting, to relationships, to sports, to hobbies and more.  Sweat the Technique is hosted by four former principals and superintendents who've led gap-closing schools.  That includes: Doug Lemov, author of the international bestseller Teach Like a Champion and trainer to many successful educators and professional sports coaches, Ryan Hill, founder and CEO of a network of 23 KIPP public charter schools in New Jersey and Miami, Stacey Shells Harvey, founder and CEO of ReGeneration Schools, and Ravi Gupta, former leader of Tennessee's highest performing network of charter schools and founder of the largest-ever training organization for Democratic candidates and staffers.  In particular I’ve heard the episode called “Lessons on Excellent Teaching (with Pritesh Raichura)” is quite good.
2. Schooled- This podcast from National Public Radio can help answer the question, “Is this happening to anyone else?”  Schooled provides boots-on-the-ground dispatches from Pennsylvania’s public school system, where more government dollars are spent per student than in any other U.S. state. The podcast aims to get to the bottom of why those funds aren’t working, and what needs to happen to make lasting positive change.

Books

1. Teach Like a Champion by Doug Lamov- Teach Like a Champion 3.0 is the long-awaited update to Doug Lemov’s highly regarded guide to the craft of teaching. This book teaches you how to create a positive and productive classroom that encourages student engagement, trust, respect, accountability, and excellence. In this edition, you’ll find new and updated teaching techniques, the latest evidence from cognitive science and culturally responsive teaching practices, and an expanded companion video collection. Learn how to build students’ background knowledge, move learning into long-term memory, and connect your teaching with the curriculum content for tangible improvement in learning outcomes. 
2. Seven Myths About Education- In this controversial new book, Daisy Christodoulou offers a thought-provoking critique of educational orthodoxy. Drawing on her recent experience of teaching in challenging schools, she shows through a wide range of examples and case studies just how much classroom practice contradicts basic scientific principles. She examines seven widely-held beliefs which are holding back pupils and teachers
3. BONUS BOOK (CAN I DO IT?!?!)  Non-education one - The Power Broker -  1,344 pages, the audio book is 66 hours long.  (the average audio book is about 12 hours long)

Grab Bag

1. Return to good teaching practice:  Focus on study strategies with thisexcellent one-pager
2. Phet Studio’s customizable simulations and the Wayground Integration - must pay for this but it might be worth it!

Guise

Podcasts

1. The Big Dig Catching the Codfather Ian Coss
2.  ADDitude’s ADHD Experts Podcast

• The Episode:"What Neuroscience Reveals About the ADHD Brain"(with Dr. Joel Nigg)
• Why it’s great: Dr. Nigg is a leading researcher who does a brilliant job of breaking down complex neuroimaging and brain chemistry into layman's terms. He explains exactly how the ADHD brain processes dopamine, handles attention, and experiences heightened emotions.
• Bonus Episode:"Neurofeedback and Cognitive Training for ADHD Kids"(explores how computer-based brain training interacts with neuroplasticity)

Books

• What it’s about: Rather than treating AI like an enemy or an easy way to cheat, this book acts as a practical guide for ELA and writing teachers. It explores how to ethically integrate Generative AI into the drafting, brainstorming, and editing processes while keeping human creativity at the center of the workshop.
• Best for: Middle and high school teachers trying to navigate the shift in student writing habits.  

Grab Bag

1.  Gemini Gems Collection
2.  Using AI to help create gamified experiences
3. ETR 
4. Murder Mystery Party
5. Whodunnit

Edtech Throwdown: 

Vote on twitter @edtechthrowdown and under the pinned post on the profile.

Do us a few favors:

1. Subscribe to the Edtech Throwdown Podcast
2. Apple Podcasts
3. Spotify
4. Amazon Podcasts
5. Stitcher  
6. YouTube  
7. Twitter   
8. Facebook
9. Write us an Apple Podcast Review!
10. Tell your friends aboutwww.edtechthrowdown.com
11. Tell your friends about the Teach Better Podcast Network

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify  
• YouTube  
• Twitter  (@edtechthrowdown)
• Facebook
• Instagram

Guise’s Social Media

• Twitter(@guisegotteched)
• LinkedIn

Nick’s Social Media

• Twitter(@nickgotteched)

• Intro and Outro Music-American Idle - RKVC
• Segment Identifiers-Duck in the Alley - TrackTribe
• Edtech Throwdown-Born a Rockstar (Instrumental) - NEFEX

As experienced presenters and content creators, you can contact Nick and Guise to speak at your school, event, or conference. They can customize a workshop that meets your organization’s unique time and content needs. While no topic is out of bounds, we are best known for sessions on:

• AI For Teachers, Admin, and Parents
• 1:1 Chromebook Integration
• EdTech Throwdown
• TargetED Learning
• Gamification (Badge Systems)
• Game-Based Learning (Escape Rooms, Amazing Race, and more)
• Google apps and extensions
• Personalized learning and Choice Boards
• Teacher productivity (Lesson Planning, Online Grading. and Feedback)
• Digital content creation
• Student Podcasting
• Screencasting
• Flipped Classroom
• Student-Centered Learning

Welcome to the EdTech Throwdown.  This is Episode 215 called Streamlining the Classroom - Top Content Creation and Search Tools for Educators.   It’s been a while so in this episode we’ll be talking edtech tools as we bring you a list of some of our favorites for content creation and online searching.  This is another episode you don’t want to miss.  Check it out.

We haven’t made one of these in a while

• answerthepublic.com
• Tool Breakdown: Research & AI Insights Name of the Tool: AnswerThePublic URL:https://answerthepublic.comDescription: A search listening tool that visualizes search questions and suggested autocomplete searches in an image called a search cloud. It helps users understand what people are asking about any specific topic. Main Purpose: For teachers to discover student inquiry trends or for admins to research community concerns. Cost: Freemium Discount Codes: None currently available Login Required: Optional (Limited searches without login) Throwdown Grade: A-
• googpt.ai   
• Description: A hybrid search engine that combines Google Search results with ChatGPT's conversational AI answers. It provides a side-by-side view of web links and AI summaries. Main Purpose: Efficient research for teachers and students. Cost: Free Discount Codes: None currently available Login Required: No Throwdown Grade: A-
• Why:Both tools focus on understanding search intent and generating ideas based on what people are asking online.

• elevenlabs.io
• Name of the Tool: ElevenLabs URL:https://elevenlabs.ioDescription: An advanced AI audio platform that offers lifelike text-to-speech and voice cloning in dozens of languages. It is widely considered the industry leader for natural-sounding AI voices. Main Purpose: Creating accessible audio versions of lessons or narrating classroom presentations. Cost: Freemium Discount Codes: None currently available Login Required: Yes Throwdown Grade: A

• invideo.io  
• Name of the Tool: InVideo URL:https://invideo.io  Description: A powerful AI-driven video creation platform that can turn a script or an idea into a fully edited video with stock footage, voiceovers, and music. Main Purpose: School marketing, news shows, or student presentations. Cost: Freemium Discount Codes: None currently available Login Required: Yes Throwdown Grade: A
• Why:High-end generative media tools; one specializes in realistic voice synthesis, the other in AI-driven video production.

• playphrase.me
• Description: A search engine for movie clips. Type in any common phrase, and the site will instantly play a sequence of movie scenes where that exact phrase is spoken. Main Purpose: Language arts teachers or anyone looking for the perfect movie clip for a lesson. Cost: Freemium Discount Codes: None currently available Login Required: Optional Throwdown Grade: A-
• eaglercraft.com  
• Description: A web-based version of Minecraft that can be played directly in a browser. It is often used by students to bypass local installation restrictions. Main Purpose: Creative building and logic puzzles (use with discretion!). Cost: Free Discount Codes: None currently available Login Required: No Throwdown Grade: B- (High distraction risk)
• Why:Media-centric entertainment tools—one searches for movie dialogue, the other provides a browser-based gaming experience.

• napkin.ai
• Name of the Tool: Napkin AI URL:https://napkin.aiDescription: An AI-powered design tool that turns text descriptions into professional-looking diagrams and visuals instantly. It is designed to help "visualize" thoughts during the writing process. Main Purpose: Teachers creating visual aids and flowcharts for complex concepts. Cost: Freemium Discount Codes: None currently available Login Required: Yes Throwdown Grade: A
• imagineexplainers.com
• Name of the Tool: Imagine Explainers URL:https://imagineexplainers.comDescription: A tool that creates visual explainer videos and animations from text. It is designed to simplify complex topics through storytelling and movement. Main Purpose: Teachers creating flipped classroom content. Cost: Paid Discount Codes: None currently available Login Required: Yes Throwdown Grade: B+
• Why:These tools focus on turning abstract ideas or text into visual diagrams and explanations.

• commontools.org
• Name of the Tool: Common Tools URL:commontools.orgDescription: A portal providing various online utility tools like calculators, unit converters, and text manipulators. It is a simple, no-frills site for daily digital tasks. Main Purpose: General classroom utility for quick math or text conversions. Cost: Free Discount Codes: None currently available Login Required: No Throwdown Grade: B
• onlinetools.com   
• Name of the Tool: Online Tools URL:https://onlinetools.comDescription: A massive hub of simple, browser-based utilities for developers and casual users, ranging from text formatting to image manipulation. Main Purpose: General digital organization and quick file fixes. Cost: Free Discount Codes: None currently available Login Required: No Throwdown Grade: B+
• Why:Resource hubs that provide a massive collection of small, utility-based web apps for daily tasks.

Edtech Throwdown: 

Vote on twitter @edtechthrowdown and under the pinned post on the profile.

Do us a few favors:

1. Subscribe to the Edtech Throwdown Podcast
2. Apple Podcasts
3. Spotify
4. Amazon Podcasts
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6. YouTube  
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8. Facebook
9. Write us an Apple Podcast Review!
10. Tell your friends aboutwww.edtechthrowdown.com
11. Tell your friends about the Teach Better Podcast Network

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Nick’s Social Media

• Twitter(@nickgotteched)

Music Credits:

• Intro and Outro Music-American Idle - RKVC
• Segment Identifiers-Duck in the Alley - TrackTribe
• Edtech Throwdown-Born a Rockstar (Instrumental) - NEFEX

Need a Presenter?

As experienced presenters and content creators, you can contact Nick and Guise to speak at your school, event, or conference. They can customize a workshop that meets your organization’s unique time and content needs. While no topic is out of bounds, we are best known for sessions on:

• AI For Teachers, Admin, and Parents
• 1:1 Chromebook Integration
• EdTech Throwdown
• TargetED Learning
• Gamification (Badge Systems)
• Game-Based Learning (Escape Rooms, Amazing Race, and more)
• Google apps and extensions
• Personalized learning and Choice Boards
• Teacher productivity (Lesson Planning, Online Grading. and Feedback)
• Digital content creation
• Student Podcasting
• Screencasting
• Flipped Classroom
• Student-Centered Learning

Welcome to the EdTech Throwdown.  This is Episode 214 called Ditch that Chromebook.   In this episode we’ll talk about several current issues in the edtech world all centered around technology, the role it serves, and to what extent it belongs in schools.  This is another episode you don’t want to miss.  Check it out.

Apology to Matt Miller

3 Current Arguments in the edtech world:

1. To block or not to block: AI in schools
2. Let fail? 
3. Agree about alway cheating   
4. The pendulum swings back on 1:1 devices.  What is the right way forward?  
5. Banning cell phones in schools.  Yay or nay?

Edtech Throwdown: 

Vote on twitter @edtechthrowdown and under the pinned post on the profile.

Do us a few favors:

1. Subscribe to the Edtech Throwdown Podcast
2. Apple Podcasts
3. Spotify
4. Amazon Podcasts
5. Stitcher  
6. YouTube  
7. Twitter   
8. Facebook
9. Write us an Apple Podcast Review!
10. Tell your friends aboutwww.edtechthrowdown.com
11. Tell your friends about the Teach Better Podcast Network

Subscribe to our Podcast Channels and Socials

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify  
• YouTube  
• Twitter  (@edtechthrowdown)
• Facebook
• Instagram

Connect with us on Social Media

Guise’s Social Media

• Twitter(@guisegotteched)
• LinkedIn

Nick’s Social Media

• Twitter(@nickgotteched)

Music Credits:

• Intro and Outro Music-American Idle - RKVC
• Segment Identifiers-Duck in the Alley - TrackTribe
• Edtech Throwdown-Born a Rockstar (Instrumental) - NEFEX

Need a Presenter?

As experienced presenters and content creators, you can contact Nick and Guise to speak at your school, event, or conference. They can customize a workshop that meets your organization’s unique time and content needs. While no topic is out of bounds, we are best known for sessions on:

• AI For Teachers, Admin, and Parents
• 1:1 Chromebook Integration
• EdTech Throwdown
• TargetED Learning
• Gamification (Badge Systems)
• Game-Based Learning (Escape Rooms, Amazing Race, and more)
• Google apps and extensions
• Personalized learning and Choice Boards
• Teacher productivity (Lesson Planning, Online Grading. and Feedback)
• Digital content creation
• Student Podcasting
• Screencasting
• Flipped Classroom
• Student-Centered Learning

Welcome to the EdTech Throwdown.  This is Episode 213 called Designing Lessons Based on Cognitive Science with Dave Snyder.   In this episode we’ll talk with Mr. Dave Snyder about current research in cognitive science and how it has shaped his lessons and the overall classroom experience for his students and their learning.  This is another episode you don’t want to miss.  Check it out.

In today’s episode, we are talking to Dean of Academics at Seton Hall Prep in West Orange, NJ, Mr. Dave Snyder, welcome to the show! How are you doing today?

Can you give everybody your quick pitch, hero’s origin story?  What’s your own education?  What is your teaching experience?  What do you do now?

Talk about our NJECC meetup our general impressions of what Dave’s sessions was all about

• Dave reached out to us and asked if we could check out his session at a recent conference
• What was it called again?
• Focus was on cognitive science, which I thought I knew about, but as I am sitting and listening more, a lightbulb goes off for me as much of what you were saying resonated with my own classroom experience … having mixed results with cooperative learning, seeing students struggle through inquiry-based lessons that end with mixed results, jigsaws that fall flat for most

Presentation:  https://setonhallprepschool-my.sharepoint.com/:p:/g/personal/dsnyder_shp_org/IQAq6J9_RDJeQIhbHheNEEjpAXxbJGsNJ_DNgVMdU4GUkUU?rtime=Ox8y2DaW3kg

1. Can you give an overview of your presentation, topic, and what brought you to feature this at a tech-themed education conference?
2. You began with a survey question about what most affects a student's ability to learn science:  1. What they already know 2.How motivated they are 3. Their learning style 4.How interesting the material is 5.How much inquiry-based instruction (discovery learning) they have Can you explain what this illustrates about cognitive science as it pertains to the classroom?
3. Walk people through the working memory game from slide 11. Can you explain what this illustrates about cognitive science as it pertains to the classroom?
4. Explain the forgetting curve and how it changes with multiple reviews.  What has that meant for your classroom?
5. This seems to go against what a lot of science teachers have learned about inquiry and student-centered learning.  Does it go against those practices?
6. Role of tech?

Edtech Throwdown: 

Vote on twitter @edtechthrowdown and under the pinned post on the profile.

Do us a few favors:

1. Subscribe to the Edtech Throwdown Podcast
2. Apple Podcasts
3. Spotify
4. Amazon Podcasts
5. Stitcher  
6. YouTube  
7. Twitter   
8. Facebook
9. Write us an Apple Podcast Review!
10. Tell your friends aboutwww.edtechthrowdown.com
11. Tell your friends about the Teach Better Podcast Network

Subscribe to our Podcast Channels and Socials

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify  
• YouTube  
• Twitter  (@edtechthrowdown)
• Facebook
• Instagram

Connect with us on Social Media

Guise’s Social Media

• Twitter(@guisegotteched)
• LinkedIn

Nick’s Social Media

• Twitter(@nickgotteched)

Music Credits:

• Intro and Outro Music-American Idle - RKVC
• Segment Identifiers-Duck in the Alley - TrackTribe
• Edtech Throwdown-Born a Rockstar (Instrumental) - NEFEX

Need a Presenter?

As experienced presenters and content creators, you can contact Nick and Guise to speak at your school, event, or conference. They can customize a workshop that meets your organization’s unique time and content needs. While no topic is out of bounds, we are best known for sessions on:

• AI For Teachers, Admin, and Parents
• 1:1 Chromebook Integration
• EdTech Throwdown
• TargetED Learning
• Gamification (Badge Systems)
• Game-Based Learning (Escape Rooms, Amazing Race, and more)
• Google apps and extensions
• Personalized learning and Choice Boards
• Teacher productivity (Lesson Planning, Online Grading. and Feedback)
• Digital content creation
• Student Podcasting
• Screencasting
• Flipped Classroom
• Student-Centered Learning

Welcome to the EdTech Throwdown.  This is Episode 212 called AI Uses in the Classroom from NJECC 2026.   In this episode we’ll share 4 ways that AI can be used to support student learning.  This is another episode you don’t want to miss.  Check it out.

Vanguard NJ Districts AI Meetings 

Our presentation from 2026 feature the following tools:

https://www.canva.com/design/DAHBrcMoMnM/qPXmqUkk_mpFJELEH-cv9A/edit?utm_content=DAHBrcMoMnM&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton

NotebookLM flashcards to Canva bulk create how-to video

https://youtu.be/RUCMVAgx8jQ?si=VQns3kuThjIAjpEL

Edtech Throwdown: 

Vote on twitter @edtechthrowdown and under the pinned post on the profile.

Do us a few favors:

1. Subscribe to the Edtech Throwdown Podcast
2. Apple Podcasts
3. Spotify
4. Amazon Podcasts
5. Stitcher  
6. YouTube  
7. Twitter   
8. Facebook
9. Write us an Apple Podcast Review!
10. Tell your friends aboutwww.edtechthrowdown.com
11. Tell your friends about the Teach Better Podcast Network

Subscribe to our Podcast Channels and Socials

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify  
• YouTube  
• Twitter  (@edtechthrowdown)
• Facebook
• Instagram

Connect with us on Social Media

Guise’s Social Media

• Twitter(@guisegotteched)
• LinkedIn

Nick’s Social Media

• Twitter(@nickgotteched)

Music Credits:

• Intro and Outro Music-American Idle - RKVC
• Segment Identifiers-Duck in the Alley - TrackTribe
• Edtech Throwdown-Born a Rockstar (Instrumental) - NEFEX

Need a Presenter?

As experienced presenters and content creators, you can contact Nick and Guise to speak at your school, event, or conference. They can customize a workshop that meets your organization’s unique time and content needs. While no topic is out of bounds, we are best known for sessions on:

• AI For Teachers, Admin, and Parents
• 1:1 Chromebook Integration
• EdTech Throwdown
• TargetED Learning
• Gamification (Badge Systems)
• Game-Based Learning (Escape Rooms, Amazing Race, and more)
• Google apps and extensions
• Personalized learning and Choice Boards
• Teacher productivity (Lesson Planning, Online Grading. and Feedback)
• Digital content creation
• Student Podcasting
• Screencasting
• Flipped Classroom
• Student-Centered Learning