Technology has revolutionized nearly every aspect of our lives, and education is no exception. The integration of technology in classrooms has brought about significant changes, offering new opportunities and challenges for both students and educators. However, resistance to this change has been a common hurdle in implementing technology in education.

In this special episode of the Learning Through Technology podcast, I put my co-host, Alex Inman, in the guest chair and pick his brains on the role of technology in education and the pace of its adoption. Alex is the Chief Academic Officer at Pacific OneSource, the Founder of Educational Collaborators, and a dear friend. Join us as we discuss the importance of Educational Collaborators in bridging the gap between technology and schools, partnerships with major companies, and the growth of their network.

Some of the talking points of the episode include:

• Alex’s journey from a teacher to a technology director and an entrepreneur
• Collaborating in education with large school districts and small private schools
• Resistance and the slow pace of technology adoption in education
• The impact of one-on-one technology initiatives

Alex has worn multiple hats during his career in education, from teacher to technology director and founder of Educational Collaborators. Alex was raised by a teacher and has spent his entire career supporting education. He founded Educational Collaborators as a way to bring the most relevant EdTech Consulting and Professional Development available to schools across the globe. That vision was expanded when he combined forces with Pacific OneSource.

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Education is a fundamental aspect of any society and plays a vital role in shaping the future of individuals and communities. While schools are the primary institutions that impart knowledge and skills, they cannot operate in isolation. The importance of community partnerships in education cannot be overstated. In this episode of the Learning Through Technology podcast, we speak with Talisa L. Dixon, Former Superintendent/CEO of Columbus City Schools. 

Join us as we cover the following topics:

• The importance of partnerships between schools and the community
• The need for collaboration and accountability within partnerships
• How the steam initiative provides a community partnership for teachers
• Resources for learning more about education

Talisa was the Former Superintendent/CEO of Columbus City Schools, the official school district for Columbus, Ohio. 46,686 students are currently enrolled, making it the largest school district in the state of Ohio. She also previously worked as Superintendent at Cleveland Heights-University Heights. Talisa’s accolades include serving on the board of directors for several organizations, including I Know I Can, the Council of Great City Schools, Otterbein University, and the United Way of Central Ohio. 

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here.

Episode Resources:

• Talisa L. Dixon on LinkedIn
• Columbus City Schools Website
• STS Education Website
• STS Education on LinkedIn

Learning Through Technology Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

We'd like to give a huge thank you to Smart Technologies for sponsoring this episode and helping to make the podcast possible!

In recent years, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in education has gained significant attention and recognition. AI has the potential to revolutionize the way students learn while alleviating the teacher's workload, preventing burnout, and allowing teachers to reconnect with things that make them want to be teachers from the start. In this episode of the Learning Through Technology podcast, we speak with Chris Kalinski, Executive Director of Educational Technology Service at Oklahoma City Public Schools.

Join us as we cover the following topics:

• The role of AI in alleviating the workload of teachers
• The role of generative AI in creating engaging and personalized lessons
• Debunking myths and misconceptions around AI
• Combating teacher burnout
• Training teachers on using AI tools
• The accelerated pace of AI advancements

Chris has over 20 years of experience in education, entertainment, and technology that he leverages to ignite motivation and inspiration among students, coworkers, and clients. His ultimate objective is to create a learning environment that fosters a genuine passion for knowledge. Currently pursuing an EdD, his focus lies in Smart Learning Environments, including Artificial Intelligence for Education. 

This episode is sponsored by Smart Technologies. Find out more about how Smart Technologies can be a great partner in education innovation: https://www.smarttech.com

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here.

Episode Resources:

• Chris Kalinski on LinkedIn
• Oklahoma City Public Schools Website
• STS Education Website
• STS Education on LinkedIn

Learning Through Technology Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

We'd like to give a huge thank you to Lenovo for sponsoring this episode and helping to make the podcast possible!

Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) have revolutionized various industries, and education is no exception. The integration of VR and AR technologies in classrooms has the potential to enhance learning experiences and engage students like never before. In this episode of the Learning Through Technology podcast, we speak with Bill Bass, Past President of the Board of Directors at ISTE and Innovation Coordinator at the Parkway School District. 

Join us as we cover the following topics:

• The potential of VR and AR to enhance learning experiences
• The challenges of managing VR and AR in the classroom
• Creating an immersive learning hub
• Guided exploration versus free exploration of technology

Bill has worn multiple hats in his 28-year career in education, from a soccer coach to an English teacher to the President of the Board of Directors at ISTE. Now, he works as the Innovation Coordinator at the Parkway School District, with a toolkit that includes specializations in education, technology, and innovation.

This episode is sponsored by Lenovo. To learn more about how Lenovo can be a great partner in education innovation click this link: https://techtoday.lenovo.com/us/en/solutions/k12-education 

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here.

Episode Resources:

• Bill Bass on LinkedIn
• Parkway School District on LinkedIn
• STS Education Website
• STS Education on LinkedIn
• Lenovo Website

Learning Through Technology Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

We'd like to give a huge thank you to ViewSonic for sponsoring this episode and helping to make the podcast possible!

The education sector has witnessed a significant transformation with the integration of technology into classrooms. Education technology, or EdTech, has revolutionized the learning and teaching process, and analysis of student data has become a critical component of the education system. In this episode of the Learning Through Technology podcast, we speak with Susan M. Bearden, CEO of Bearden Education Technology Consulting. 

Join us as we cover the following topics:

• Challenges and benefits of data interoperability
• The need for protecting the security of student data
• The role of vendors, districts, and standards bodies in ensuring data privacy
• Consulting and supporting school systems while implementing data privacy policies

Susan is a strategic and growth-oriented education technology leader who approaches IT from an educator mindset and facilitates best practices in education technology in support of innovative teaching and learning. She mentions building and leading high-performance teams as her superpower. 

To learn more about this topic, please visit www.educollaborators.com. 

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here.

Episode Resources:

• Susan M. Bearden on LinkedIn
• Student Privacy Compass website
• State Student Privacy Laws
• Student Privacy Training for Educators
• K12 Train the Trainer Program 
• STS Education Website
• STS Education on LinkedIn
• Youth and Education Privacy Newsletter
• ViewSonic Website

Learning Through Technology Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

We'd like to give a huge thank you to Promethean for sponsoring this episode and helping to make the podcast possible!

Public education in the US faces a unique set of challenges. A lack of adequate funding, falling safety and rising gun violence, poverty, a crumbling infrastructure, and falling teacher salaries all combine to present a challenging situation. Join your hosts, Bob and Alex, on this episode of the Learning Through Technology podcast as they talk to Dr. Melvin Brown, who is the Superintendent of Montgomery, Alabama Public Schools.

The conversation covers the competencies they want the kids to learn and the need for changes in teaching and learning methods. They emphasize the importance of preparing students for a rapidly changing world and ensuring that they can compete globally.  

Dr. Melvin Brown is a change-maker and innovator with over 25 years of experience in school administration. He is a champion of public schools with a wealth of experience working in education from his days as a principal to his current role in Alabama as superintendent for Montgomery City schools.

Join us as we discuss:

• The challenges and initiatives in Montgomery Public Schools
• Implementing a digital platform and strategic plan to measure and share progress
• The need for changes in the teaching and learning methods
• Promoting equity and social justice in education
• Motivating teachers with an enabling environment
• Weaving empathy, understanding, and inclusivity in education

For support on change management and creating sustainable plans for technology support and staffing, visit Educational Collaborators or EduTech Group.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here.

Episode Resources:

• Dr. Melvin Brown on LinkedIn
• Montgomery Public Schools Website
• Montgomery Public Schools on LinkedIn
• Learning Through Technology Podcast Page
• STS Education Website
• Promethean Website

Learning Through Technology Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

We'd like to give a huge thank you to Boxlight for sponsoring this episode and helping to make the podcast possible!

In this episode of Learning Through Technology: A K-12 EdTech Podcast, Dr. Richard A. Woodruff, Commissioner and Founder at CCEL, joins Alex Inman and Robert Cireddu to share insights on the growing esports industry, how it can be integrated into schools and the career opportunities associated with it. 

Richard runs Central California's high school and middle school esports leagues, along with a committee of district and school leaders. Richard has more than fifteen years of experience in creating resources and techniques that have been used to better support staff with enhanced stress management and EQ development. 

Today, Richard talks about the fast growth of the esports industry, the benefits of playing esports, and how to manage gaming addiction through parental guidance.

Join us as we discuss:

• The diverse career opportunities that Esports offers
• Esports' role in incentivizing academic performance
• Esports' role in Tackling Unemployment and bridging Generational Gaps
• The role of parental involvement in managing gaming addiction
• How Esports helps students develop their digital identity and social-emotional skills in both online and offline settings

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here.

Episode resources:

• Richard's LinkedIn
• CCEL Website
• Pacific OneSource Website
• Pacific OneSource on LinkedIn
• ESports Research Network
• Sponsor: Boxlight

Learning Through Technology Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

We'd like to give a huge thank you to Hewlett -Packard Enterprise for sponsoring this episode and helping to make the podcast possible!

Amid unprecedented technological shifts, educators and students find themselves at a crossroads. Expectations are high, but doubts linger. The impact of AI on education remains a mystery. It's only reasonable for all stakeholders to seek solutions and clarity, but the path ahead needs to be clarified. What does effective continued education for all look like in this evolving landscape? The answer lies in exploring uncharted territory, but the journey promises transformative rewards.

As an Educator and the Founder of The Walkabout Philly, Mary Beth Hertz has been empowering young people through participatory, experiential education rooted in community. Today, in the very first episode of Learning Through Technology, she reveals how schools can improve students' welfare through AI and its ethical considerations for the learning environment.

Join us as we discuss:

• The different aspects of AI
• The educator's role in teaching AI and making students learn about AI's ethical considerations
• The influence of privacy policies on AI usage in education 
• How AI can be integrated into schools' curricula and make the educators' task easier
• Understanding the Walkabout Philly Model 
• How to build good humans through AI and its importance

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here

Episode Resources:

• Mary Beth Hertz on LinkedIn
• Walkabout Philly Website
• Pacific OneSource Website
• Pacific OneSource on LinkedIn
• K12 classroom AI tools Canva 
• AI tools for K12 classrooms Static
• Sponsor: Hewlett -Packard Enterprise

Learning Through Technology Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

Learning Through Technology Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so