This year-in-review episode looks back at how AI reshaped conversations about teaching and learning, and moved from curiosity to classroom reality. This episode reflects on what educators learned about moving beyond compliance toward mastery, why students often follow rules better than they innovate, and how AI can support feedback, reflection, and trust. The conversation surfaces lessons about systemic thinking, place-conscious learning, and digital portfolios that show growth—offering a clearer, more grounded path forward for teaching in an AI-shaped future.

Related Channel: ISTE Radio | Podcast

Listen to all 2025 Mic Drop Episodes

Related ISTE Books: Today’s Learners, Tomorrow’s Leaders | Get the Book-Putting Out Fires | The National Park Classroom | Edtech for Multilingual Learners | What the Tech? | AI for School Leaders |

Available at ISTE.org

Imagine a world where educators can boost their productivity, task management, and overall well-being with the aid of an AI assistant. In this groundbreaking book, an experienced school leader offers practical strategies for leveraging AI to support a more efficient and effective way to work. The 62 strategies in this book will help leaders – including those with limited technical knowledge – use AI tools to address critical aspects of leadership in education, such as collaborative decision-making, building relationships and trust, personalized professional learning, data analysis and improvement, and parent and community engagement.

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#edchat #edtech #edtechchat

Resources: AI for School Leaders | Hacking GenAI in Education: Conversation Starters

Vickie Echols brings over 30 years of experience as a K-12 principal, curriculum coordinator, university educator, and consultant, empowering school leaders to focus on what matters most: their students, their teams, and their own well-being.

In her latest book, AI for School Leaders: 62 Ways to Lighten Your Workload and Focus on What Matters (ISTE, 2024), Vickie shares actionable strategies to harness AI for greater efficiency, balance, and clarity in school leadership—perfect for navigating today’s fast-paced educational landscape. Rooted in real-world challenges and opportunities, Vickie’s expertise bridges education, technology, mental health, and leadership, inspiring leaders to thrive while transforming schools into places where everyone can succeed.

In this episode of Learning Unleashed, Carl Hooker and Rochelle Dene Poth discuss the latest trends in education technology, including the metaverse, AI, and immersive learning experiences. They share insights from the ISTE conference, highlighting global interactions and the importance of networking among educators. Rochelle also introduces her new book, 'What the Tech?', which explores emerging technologies and their implications for education.

Follow on Twitter: @ISTEofficial @mrhooker @Rdene915 @jonHarper70bd @shellthief  @hyphenatic @bamradionetwork 

Resources: What the Tech? |  Hacking GenAI in Education: Conversation Starters

Rachelle Dene Poth is an accomplished edtech consultant, presenter, author, blogger and teacher. She currently teaches Spanish and a course on emerging tech that covers AR/VR, artificial intelligence, coding, gaming, digital citizenship, video animation and more. She presents regularly at conferences on technology and ways to drive student learning. Poth is the president of the ISTE Teacher Education Network and serves on the leadership team for the ISTE Mobile Learning Network. At ISTE19, she received the Making IT Happen Award and a Presidential Gold Award for volunteer service to education. She’s a Buncee Ambassador, Edmodo Certified Trainer, Nearpod Certified Educator and PioNear, Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert and Google Certified Educator Levels I and II. Poth is the author of In Other Words: Quotes That Push Our Thinking, The Future Is Now: Looking Back to Move Ahead and Unconventional Ways to THRIVE in EDU. She’s a contributing author to Education Write Now, Volume 3; several volumes of the Edumatch book Snapshot in Education; and the ISTE book Gamify Literacy. Poth is a regular blogger for Getting Smart and DefinedSTEM.

In this conversation, Carl Hooker and Brent Warner explore the intersection of multilingual learning and technology, discussing the role of AI in language acquisition, ethical considerations for educators, and strategies for effectively navigating the plethora of EdTech tools available. They emphasize the importance of empowering teachers and students, fostering a mindset that embraces creativity and adaptability in the classroom.

Brent Warner is an award-winning professor at Irvine Valley College in Southern California where he focuses on integrating technology into the language-learning process. He works with teachers and organizations across the globe to provide practical advice for helping English language learners take advantage of tech to help them communicate more clearly. For TESOL International, he blogs about technology integration in the English as a Second or Other Language (ESOL) classroom. He is also the co-host of “The DIESOL Podcast” that addresses innovation in ESOL, as well as “The HigherEdTech Podcast,” covering tech for teachers in college and university settings.

In this episode of Learning Unleashed, host Carl Hooker speaks with Kayla Holland, author of 'Putting Out Fires,' about the challenges educators face in problem-solving within the classroom. They discuss the importance of moving beyond reactive measures to address systemic issues, the framework for problem-solving that Kayla has developed, and the role of empathy and technology in enhancing student engagement. The conversation emphasizes the need for educators to take ownership of the problems they encounter and to adopt an upstream thinking approach to find effective solutions.

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Dr. Kaylah Holland is passionate about empowering educators through professional development, one on one coaching, and innovative lesson design. She holds a Doctorate of Education in Instructional Design and Technology with extensive research in active learning environments. She has spent years empowering educators and championing student-centered classrooms. She is a Google Certified Trainer & Innovator, a college professor, an ISTE community Leader, and was presented the “20 to Watch” award by ISTE in 2022. Kaylah is the Director of Instructional Technology and Blended Learning for BreakFree Education and works to empower educators to radically improve education inside juvenile justice facilities.

Every learner has the potential to be a leader – both inside and outside of the classroom. In this episode of Learning Unleashed, host Carl Hooker engages with Tisha Ponceo and Rick Butterworth, authors of 'Today's Learners, Tomorrow's Leaders.' They discuss the importance of entrepreneurial thinking in education, the impact of personal learning journeys on teaching perspectives, and the need for educators to adapt to an uncertain future. The conversation emphasizes the role of digital portfolios and the significance of feedback and reflection in fostering student growth. The episode concludes with key takeaways for educators to enhance their teaching practices and better prepare students for their futures.

Get the Book: Today’s Learners, Tomorrow’s Leaders.

Tisha Poncio, M.S has served in education for the last 21 years. She has led students in classroom instruction of English, Web Design, Graphic Design, Business Computing, Programming, and Broadcast Journalism. She has also led educators, students, and administrators as a digital learning coach for 12 years. She is a Google Certified Trainer and a Flipgrid, Wakelet, and Buncee Ambassador. Her most significant accomplishment to date has been the creation of a student-led technology leadership group, which enables her to present globally on student voice, empowerment, and the #studentsCANlead movement.

Rick Butterworth is a founder and founding member of multiple startup companies, including Resources, RPB Designs, and Wakelet. At each company, he has been a key designer and developer, driving innovation and creating platforms and meaningful experiences for students and teachers of online applications.

In this episode of Learning Unleashed, Tim Needles, an art educator and author, discusses the evolving relationship between art and technology, particularly the role of AI in creativity and education. They explore how AI can enhance artistic expression, democratize creativity, and the challenges educators face in preparing students for a rapidly changing technological landscape. The conversation highlights the importance of maintaining traditional art forms while embracing new tools that can augment the creative process.

Follow on Twitter: @ISTEofficial @mrhooker @timneedles @shellthief @jonHarper70bd @bamradionetwork

Tim Needles is an artist, educator, performer, and author of STEAM Power: Infusing Art Into Your STEM Curriculum. He is a TEDx Talk speaker, a technology integration specialist, and teaches art and media at Smithtown School District and Five Towns College. His work has been featured on NPR, in the New York Times, Columbus Museum of Art, Norman Rockwell Museum, Alexandria Museum of Art, Katonah Museum of Art, and Cape Cod Museum of Art. He’s the recipient of ISTE’s Technology in Action Award and Creativity Award, NAEA’s Eastern Region Art Educator Award & ArtEdTech Outstanding Teaching Award, and The Rauschenberg Power of Art Award. He’s also a National Geographic Certified Teacher, PBS Digital Innovator, a NASA Solar System Ambassador, an ISTE Community leader, NAEA ArtEdTech interest Group chair, and an Adobe Creative Educator. He’s active on social media at @timneedles.

We have learned a lot since ChatGPT launched, and teachers turned to plagiarism detectors to thwart students using generative AI to complete assignments on the down low.  We revisit the topic of  “uncheatable” assessments incorporating what we've discovered.

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Get the Book: Storytelling With Purpose |  Hacking GenAI in Education: Conversation Starters

Michael Hernandez is an award-winning educator and speaker who brings more than 20 years of classroom experience to addressing some of the most existential challenges in education today: artificial intelligence, steep declines in student engagement, and the need for authentic learning experiences. The solution: digital storytelling as a framework for learning.

Rather than viewing storytelling as a nice-to-have reward for students after their “real work” has been completed, this book shows educators how to use story projects — from data visualizations to social media posts, to podcasts and video documentaries — as the scaffold upon which to position curricular skills and knowledge. The process helps students make interdisciplinary connections, activates higher-level thinking and critical analysis skills, and provides multimodal learning opportunities.

Rachelle Dene Poth discusses her new book on teaching with AI and integrating emerging technologies in the classroom. She emphasizes the importance of educators being open-minded and creative in incorporating AI into different content areas. The conversation also touches on topics such as AR/VR, the metaverse, and the challenges of funding and access to resources. Rochelle shares her experiences with grant writing and highlights the role of AI as an assistant and enhancer in the process.

Follow on Twitter: @ISTEofficial @mrhooker @Rdene915 @jonHarper70bd @shellthief @hyphenatic @bamradionetwork

Rachelle Dene Poth is an accomplished edtech consultant, presenter, author, blogger and teacher. She currently teaches Spanish and a course on emerging tech that covers AR/VR, artificial intelligence, coding, gaming, digital citizenship, video animation and more. She presents regularly at conferences on technology and ways to drive student learning. Poth is the president of the ISTE Teacher Education Network and serves on the leadership team for the ISTE Mobile Learning Network. At ISTE19, she received the Making IT Happen Award and a Presidential Gold Award for volunteer service to education. She’s a Buncee Ambassador, Edmodo Certified Trainer, Nearpod Certified Educator and PioNear, Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert and Google Certified Educator Levels I and II. Poth is the author of In Other Words: Quotes That Push Our Thinking, The Future Is Now: Looking Back to Move Ahead and Unconventional Ways to THRIVE in EDU. She’s a contributing author to Education Write Now, Volume 3; several volumes of the Edumatch book Snapshot in Education; and the ISTE book Gamify Literacy. Poth is a regular blogger for Getting Smart and DefinedSTEM.

Today, we discuss the importance of understanding student data privacy laws and how they have evolved. We emphasize the need for educators to have conversations about data privacy and to make informed decisions when using tech tools with students. The conversation also touches on the challenges of navigating legal terms and agreements, the role of IT departments in vetting tools, and the importance of teacher training on data privacy. The guest provides practical tips for teachers, such as checking with their IT department for approved tools and using personal accounts for testing.

Follow on Twitter: @ISTEofficial @mrhooker @shellthief @ISTEMLN #istelive @ISTEEdLeaders @bamradionetwork @LucyKirchh

Laurel Aguilar-Kirchhoff (@LucyKirchh), M.S.Ed., is a former history and science educator who now serves as a professional development coordinator and digital learning specialist. Aguilar-Kirchhoff works with educators, administrators and students to successfully integrate educational technology into curriculum for lasting student learning outcomes. Her areas of expertise include digital citizenship, media literacy, blended learning, curriculum instruction and design, and edtech and innovation. She was recognized as the 2018 National History Day California Teacher of the Year, was a top six finalist for the National History Day Teacher of the Year, and was the Inland Area CUE (IACUE) Administrator of the Year in 2022. She’s a Google Certified Trainer, Leading Edge Certified Online Blended Teacher and a member of the iCivics Education Network. Aguilar-Kirchhoff served on the ISTE Digital Citizenship PLN Leadership team and is currently an ISTE Community Leader.