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.

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!

How do we make tech processes easier for students—and teachers—to follow? In this episode, I chat with Courtney Watson from friEdTechnology about strategies for creating clear, bite-sized tech instructions using tools like Scribe, iorad, Canva, and Adobe Express. We explore ways to lower the cognitive load and boost confidence in tech-rich classrooms. Plus, I share new feature updates in Book Creator, Padlet, and NotebookLM that support accessibility, flexibility, and efficiency.

#EduDuctTape Episode 125

0:00:00 INTRO

0:02:59 Today's Guest: Courtney Watson

Courtney is a Google Certified Educator/Trainer and Lead Learning Guide at friEdTechnology. She is passionate about equipping all learners with the necessary tools to help them become successful and ensuring they have fun while learning. #TechWithoutTears

Contact Info:  https://tiktok.com/@techwithouttears, https://x.com/cmwatson2010,  https://bsky.app/profile/cmwatson2010.bsky.social, [email protected], https://www.linkedin.com/in/cmwatson2010/

0:04:58 Two Truths & One Lie

0:11:36 Today's #EduDuctTape Question: Bite-Sized Instructions

0:12:58 Scribe

https://scribehow.com/

0:16:14 Mark Twain Quote

“I didn't have time to write a short letter, so I wrote a long one instead.”

0:18:26 iorad

https://www.iorad.com/

0:20:16 Comparing Scribe and iorad

0:25:24 TikTok Style Videos in Canva or Adobe Express

0:27:57 Courtney's Screencasting & Adobe Express Method

0:29:21 How far we've come with screencasting

0:32:59 Potty PD or Copier PD

0:37:02 NotebookLM

0:38:36 NotebookLM for Canvas and Schoology

https://blog.google/outreach-initiatives/education/ai-tools-education-2025/

0:39:57 NotebookLM Plus

https://blog.google/outreach-initiatives/education/ai-tools-education-2025/

0:41:20 Padlet’s “Clear Posts” Feature

https://padlet.help/l/en/article/ma9aogqsme-how-do-i-delete-all-posts-at-once

0:43:27 6. BookCreator Adds Text-to-Speech in Edit Mode

https://bookcreator.com/2025/02/feature-update-text-to-speech-for-text-and-pdfs

This interview was originally aired on the State of Ed Podcast by Dr. Nick Isseks and Dr. Nick Simone. It is being re-aired here with their permission.

You can access the original episode here:

https://episodes.fm/992700178/episode/NDIwOWY1OTAtMGQxZC00NGI1LWIwMjktY2U5NmQ1Yjc4MjIw

and access all State of Ed Podcast episodes here:

https://episodes.fm/992700178 

0:00:00 INTRO 0:02:53 State of Ed Podcast 0:04:21 Jake's Journey 0:05:57 What is Personalized Learning? 0:10:33 Rogers' Law of Diffusion of Innovation 0:13:12 What is Educational Duct Tape? 0:16:04 More Than Words by John Warner 0:18:58 The Issue with Points-Based Grading 0:20:03 Mastery vs. Performance-Oriented Goals 0:22:29 The AI Infinite Loop 0:27:11 Self-Determination Theory 0:32:32 Helping Teachers Pick the Technology to Use 0:35:15 The Value of Instructional Coaching 0:39:38 The Future of Wearable Technology

What’s your favorite tool for having students create visuals like infographics and diagrams? Bryon Carpenter from Fresh Air At Five joins me to answer that very question. We discuss Adobe Express, Canva, Google Drawings, and Google Slides. Also, I share about Brisk’s new Podcast Generator, a Chromebook monitoring feature coming soon to Google, SchoolAI’s response to some ethical concerns, and a documentary recommendation.

#EduDuctTape Episode 124

0:00:00 INTRO

0:02:09 Today's Guest: Bryon Carpenter

0:06:49 Which of the Following is Less Torturous

0:10:22 Today's #EduDuctTape Question

0:11:58 Adobe Expresshttps://www.adobe.com/express/

0:12:41 Picking the Right Tool

0:14:11 Google Drawingsdrawings.google.com

0:15:54 How Does Google Drawings Relate to Google Slides

0:18:26 Object-Based, Drawing-Based, and Procreate

0:20:17 Shapegramshttps://shapegrams.com/

0:21:04 3. Layers in Adobe Express

0:21:35 Ages for Adobe Express

0:23:18 What Can You Do in Adobe Express?

0:25:58 Adobe Express Pricinghttps://www.adobe.com/education/express/

0:28:17 Adobe Creative Cloudhttps://www.adobe.com/creativecloud.html

0:36:14 AI in Adobe Express

0:36:12 Adobe Voice to Animatehttps://www.adobe.com/express/create/animation

0:38:27 Adobe Text Effectshttps://www.adobe.com/express/create/ai/text-effects

Today’s EdTech and Edu News:

0:41:07 Brisk’s New Podcast Generatorbriskteaching.com/podcast

0:46:03 Google’s New ‘Class Tools’ for Chromebookshttps://blog.google/outreach-initiatives/education/class-tools-chromebook/

0:47:56 SchoolAI Responds to Ethical Concernshttps://schoolai.com/blog/strengthening-ethical-ai-in-classrooms-improvements-to-historical-figure-spaces

0:50:38 The First Class documentaryhttps://www.thefirstclass.org/

Ever feel like the important work keeps getting overshadowed by what’s urgent? In this episode, I reflect on the quote “Think big. Start small. Scale fast.” and share how the Eisenhower Matrix helps me keep my priorities aligned. I also share updates from Snorkl, Google Classroom, and SchoolAI, plus a candid take on More Than Words by John Warner. Tools featured include Snorkl Coach, Video Explorer, and Read Along with custom content.

#EduDuctTape Episode 123

0:00:00 INTRO 

0:02:23 Today’s Soapbox Moment: “Parking Lots, Right Turns, and What’s Important” 

• Think Big, Start Small, Scale Fast: Stories from the Stage on Disruption, Transformation and the Accelerating Future - https://www.amazon.com/Think-Start-Small-Scale-Fast/dp/097365547X
• The Eisenhower Method, Time management on Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_management#Eisenhower_method

0:10:10 Snorkl Coach 

• Introducing Snorkl Coach - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQASwWKcMTA

0:12:29 Read Along in Google Classroom 

• Read Along in Google Classroom - https://support.google.com/edu/classroom/answer/14174515?hl=en-GB#zippy=%2Cassign-reading-materials
• Educators can now upload content to Read Along in Google Classroom - http://workspaceupdates.googleblog.com/2025/04/upload-content-to-read-along-google-classroom.html
• New AI tools for Google Workspace for Education - https://blog.google/outreach-initiatives/education/workspace-gemini-classroom-iste-2024/

0:14:34 SchoolAI Video Explorer Spaces 

• SchoolAI - Video Explorer - https://app.schoolai.com/spaces/clnaw1t7u000ayvpt3po1373k

0:16:17 Honest Review of More Than Words by John Warner

• More Than Words: How to Think About Writing in the Age of AI: Warner, John - https://www.amazon.com/More-Than-Words-Think-Writing/dp/1541605500

What’s your go-to tool for formative assessment? In this episode, Dan Niessen joins me to unpack strategies for gathering real-time insights into student learning. We talk Quizizz, Nearpod, Snorkl, AI chatbot tutors, Pear Deck, ChatGPT, and more. Dan shares how he supports educators in choosing tools that fit their goals—and their students. Plus, I break down updates to Google Slides, Canva Visual Suite 2.0 and Canva Sheets, along with a timely tip on how to cite AI-generated content. Tune in!

#EduDuctTape Episode 122

Today's Sponsor - M2 by Swivl - swivl.com/m2

0:00:00 INTRO

0:03:26 Today’s Guest: Dan Niessen - @Dan_EdTech on X/Twitter and @neonetedtech.bsky.social on Bluesky

• Dan is the Senior Technology Integration Specialist at NEOnet, providing all sorts of EdTech PD for K-12 teachers, administrators, and school staff. He started out as a High School Social Studies teacher at a few schools around the Cleveland area, but then moved into his current position in 2018. He's always excited to learn and share about EdTech!
• See webinars and resources from Dan and the NEONet Tech Integration Team - neonet.org/tech-integration

0:10:45 Today's EduDuctTape Question: What tool or strategy would you use to formatively assess students’ comprehension? 

0:11:27 Formative Assessment during Reading

0:12:34 Chunking Reading with Formative Questions

0:18:39 The Fast and the Curious EduProtocol

• The EduProtocol Field Guides, Books 1 and 2 - https://www.eduprotocols.com/fieldguides
• Eliminate worksheet homework with the Fast and the Curious EduProtocol - Ditch That Textbook - https://ditchthattextbook.com/eliminate-worksheet-homework-with-the-fast-and-the-curious-eduprotocol/

0:21:46 Quizizz - https://quizizz.com/

0:23:29 Jared Cooney Horvath's Insights - https://episodes.fm/1447821443/episode/YmIwMjU4NGMwMDdiNDhkNjhiNjNiNWVhYzhhNzgwYWY

0:25:00 Nearpod and Pear Deck - https://nearpod.com/ and https://www.peardeck.com/

0:27:30 Pear Deck Autograding

0:30:11 Today's Sponsor: M2 from Swivl

0:35:08 AI Tutors

0:40:07 Snorkl - https://snorkl.app/

0:41:16 Flip

0:41:50 What Makes Snorkl Great

0:42:58 Why Using AI for Formative Assessment Is Good

Edu News I’ve Got My Peepers On:

0:46:00 Google Slides Updates

• Google Slides now uses Imagen 3 and adds other new visual tools - https://blog.google/products/workspace/workspace-slides-visuals-ai-updates/
• New sidebar with design elements in Google Slides makes building presentations easier - https://workspaceupdates.googleblog.com/2025/03/new-sidebar-with-design-elements-in-google-slides.html
• Google Slides introduces proportional scaling for objects to maintain visual clarity - https://workspaceupdates.googleblog.com/2025/03/proportional-scaling-objects-in-google-slides.html

0:47:26 Stock Images in Google Slides

0:48:12 New Templates and Themes in Google Slides

0:48:58 Building Blocks in Google Slides

0:49:46 Proportional Scaling Groups in Google Slides

0:50:10 Speaker Spotlight & Slides Recording in Google Slides

0:51:02 Imagen 3 AI Image Generator in Google Slides

0:52:36 Canva Visual Suite 2.0

• Introducing Visual Suite 2.0: Productivity, meet creativity - https://www.canva.com/newsroom/news/canva-create-2025/

0:54:30 Canva Sheets

• Canva Sheets: Free Visual Spreadsheets - https://www.canva.com/sheets/

0:56:34 Citing AI-Generated Content

• How to Cite AI-Generated Videos - https://www.kapwing.com/resources/how-to-cite-an-ai-video/

Is the goal to complete the task… or to grow stronger? In this episode, I reflect on Rick Wormeli’s article “With A.I., Let’s Keep Students’ Learning Paramount” and what it means for educators navigating AI in classrooms. I also share updates on Common Sense Media’s free ChatGPT course, Google Classroom’s new “Grade All” feature, the CoSpaces rebrand to Delightex, and a TED Talk that might change how you view success. Vacuum metaphors, forklifts, and academic cosplay—press play!

#EduDuctTape Episode 121

0:00:00 INTRO

0:04:01 Soapbox Moment: The Forklift, the Roomba, and the Real Work of Learning

• “With A.I., Let’s Keep Students’ Learning Paramount - AMLE” by Rick Wormeli - https://www.amle.org/with-a-i-lets-keep-students-learning-paramount
• Dave Stuart, Jr. - https://davestuartjr.com

0:23:11 CommonSense Media Course: ChatGPT Foundations for K-12 Educators

• ChatGPT Foundations for K–12 Educators - https://www.commonsense.org/education/training/chatgpt-k12-foundations

0:24:32 Bulk Grading in Google Classroom

• “Introducing the ability to ‘grade all’ in Google Classroom” - https://workspaceupdates.googleblog.com/2025/01/grade-all-in-google-classroom.html

0:26:25 CoSpaces becomes Delightex

• “What's new? March 2025” - https://www.delightex.com/whats-new/whats-new-march-2025

0:29:37 TED Talk: How to Raise Successful Kids—Without Over-Parenting

• “How to Raise Successful Kids -- Without Over-Parenting | Julie Lythcott-Haims | TED” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyElHdaqkjo

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Join the Conversation on Bluesky - #EduDuctTape