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Artificial Intelligence, Real Literacy – Evidence-Based Practices in Action

 Join me on this engaging episode of My EdTech Life as I sit down with Paul Matthews and Jason Gulya to dive into their book titled Artificial Intelligence, Real Literacy: A Practical Guide to Using AI For Evidence-Based Literacy Practices in Education and explore how AI is transforming literacy instruction through evidence-based practices. We discuss everything from integrating AI in the classroom to verifying its output, and how teachers can harness technology without losing the human touch. Plus, hear personal stories, practical tips, and a rapid-fire round of fun questions!

Timestamps:
00:00: Welcome & Introduction
00:01: Meet Our Guests – Paul Matthews (Australia) & Jason Gulya (US)
00:03: Book Overview & The Need for Evidence-Based Practices
00:04: AI in Literacy – Strategies & Philosophies (Options, Not Answers)
00:10: Principles in Practice – Tailoring AI for Better Teaching
00:21: Doing the Basics Better – From Text Differentiation to Classroom Impact
00:32: Verifying AI Output – Organic Intelligence & Fact-Checking Tips
00:49: Rapid-Fire Round – Quick Advice and Fun Insights
00:56: Closing Remarks & Sponsor Shout-Outs

Sponsors & Call-to-Action:
A big thank you to our sponsors – Book Creator, Yellow Dig, and EduAide.AI for supporting our mission. Don’t forget to follow Paul and Jason on LinkedIn for more insights and join our community at My EdTech Life for additional high-quality content.

Stay Techie!

Authentic engagement, inclusion, and learning across the curriculum for ALL your students. Teachers love Book Creator.

Yellowdig is transforming higher education by building online communities that drive engagement and collaboration. My EdTech Life is proud to partner with Yellowdig to amplify its mission.

See how Yellowdig can revolutionize your campus—visit Yellowdig.co today!

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Episode 317: Why Ethics Must Lead Our AI Conversations with Amber Ivey

In this powerful episode of My EdTech Life, I sit down with Amber Ivey—data expert and host of the AI for Kids podcast—to unpack one of the most urgent topics in the world of AI: ethics.

Amber shares how her journey in government data and policy led her to become a passionate advocate for AI literacy among kids. From her edutainment platform AiDigiTales to her bestselling children's book AI Meets AI, Amber is on a mission to simplify AI and empower the next generation to become creators, not just consumers.

We get real about bias in AI, how large language models fall short for diverse populations, and why representation—and ethical design—matters now more than ever. Amber doesn’t just talk tech—she breaks it down in a way that’s simple, accessible, and human-centered.

🎧 Whether you're a parent, teacher, tech leader, or cautious advocate like me, this episode will challenge and inspire you to think more critically about the tools we’re putting in front of our kids—and who’s building them.

👇 Timestamps
00:00 – Intro and shoutout to our sponsor, Book Creator
01:45 – Welcoming Amber Ivey to the show
03:00 – Amber’s journey: From government data to AI for kids
06:24 – Helping kids become AI-literate in a tech-first world
09:00 – How data work shaped Amber’s approach to simplifying AI
12:00 – Using the KISS philosophy: Keep it simple and human
15:35 – The fear-based messaging around AI adoption
17:00 – Why kids need to understand AI through their passions
20:00 – How AiDigiTales was born and the power of edutainment
23:30 – Access, equity, and designing AI literacy for all zip codes
25:50 – Breaking down LLMs and algorithms for kids
28:00 – Building podcast episodes for kids and teachers
31:30 – Keeping learners engaged with sound and storytelling
33:00 – Addressing the ethics of AI—early and often
35:00 – Real talk about bias, language, and who AI is leaving out
38:20 – Empowering kids to be at the table
41:00 – Amber’s AI kryptonite and why it’s okay to not know every tool
42:20 – The billboard message she’d share with the world
43:14 – Who Amber would trade places with for a day (you’ll love it)
45:00 – Final reflections and gratitude

💡 Key Topics Covered

• AI literacy for kids
• Ethics in AI development

Authentic engagement, inclusion, and learning across the curriculum for ALL your students. Teachers love Book Creator.

Yellowdig is transforming higher education by building online communities that drive engagement and collaboration. My EdTech Life is proud to partner with Yellowdig to amplify its mission.

See how Yellowdig can revolutionize your campus—visit Yellowdig.co today!

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 Why Transparency Matters Now More Than Ever with Ken Patterson 

In this hard-hitting episode of My EdTech Life, I sit down with Ken Patterson, a former principal turned AI consultant, who pulls no punches on how AI is really being used in schools. Ken saw firsthand how AI transformed a struggling school into a top performer, but the system pushed back hard instead of celebrating.

💡 Here’s what we dive into:
✅ How AI helped Ken’s school thrive—before the system shut it down.
✅ Why so many EdTech companies are misleading teachers about AI.
✅ The truth about "wrapper" AI sites—what they don’t want you to know.
✅ Why teachers should be leading AI adoption, not just tech departments.
✅ The missing piece in AI-driven education that no one is talking about.

Ken doesn’t hold back, and this episode is a must-watch for educators, administrators, and anyone who cares about the future of AI in education.

Timestamps:

00:00 Celebrating 100,000 downloads! Huge thanks to our community. 🎉
01:00 Shoutout to our amazing sponsors! Thank you, Yellowdig and Book Creator, for supporting this mission.
02:00 Meet Ken Patterson—his journey from music teacher to AI-driven principal.
04:00 Turning a failing school into a top performer using AI.
07:00 Why the system wasn’t ready for AI success—and how it pushed back.
10:30 The shady side of EdTech—Ken calls out misleading AI claims.
15:00 Should teachers use AI for instruction or just for admin work?
20:00 The problem with "wrapper" AI sites—what they’re not telling educators.
25:00 How AI can either empower or exploit teachers—depending on transparency.
30:00 Ken’s unfiltered take on the future of AI in education.
40:00 Final thoughts and a challenge to educators everywhere.

Special Thanks to Our Sponsors!

💡 This episode is powered by Yellowdig and Book Creator—thanks for supporting real conversations in EdTech!

👇 WATCH NOW and join the conversation!
💬 Do you trust AI in education? Why or why not? Drop your thoughts in the comments!

🔗 Follow Ken Patterson: LinkedIn
🎧 More Episodes: https://www.myedtech.life/

🚀 Stay Techie!

Authentic engagement, inclusion, and learning across the curriculum for ALL your students. Teachers love Book Creator.

Yellowdig is transforming higher education by building online communities that drive engagement and collaboration. My EdTech Life is proud to partner with Yellowdig to amplify its mission.

See how Yellowdig can revolutionize your campus—visit Yellowdig.co today!

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Unlock Creativity & Accessibility with Book Creator and Katie Fielding 

In this special episode of My EdTech Life, we celebrate 100,000 downloads with an incredible guest—Katie Fielding! 🎉 Katie, an educator-turned-EdTech leader, joins us to dive into the power of Book Creator, the most inclusive tool for creativity and demonstrating learning in K-12.

As My EdTech Life’s newest official partner, Book Creator is revolutionizing how students and teachers engage with learning. Katie showcases how this multimodal platform empowers students through voice, video, text, and images, breaking barriers for accessibility and multilingual learners. Plus, we explore its latest game-changing feature—text-to-speech for PDFs! 🔥

🎯 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✅ How Book Creator fosters accessibility & inclusion
✅ Real classroom applications & success stories
✅ Be an Author Month—a global storytelling competition for students
✅ Why educators love Book Creator for engagement & creativity

If you’ve been curious about Book Creator, now is the time to jump in! Whether you’re looking for classroom-ready templates, interactive student projects, or a tool that truly supports every learner, Book Creator has you covered.

💡 Try Book Creator Today: bookcreator.com
📢 Join the Be an Author Competition: Be An Author

✨ Thank you for supporting My EdTech Life! Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share to keep the conversation going.

Authentic engagement, inclusion, and learning across the curriculum for ALL your students. Teachers love Book Creator.

Yellowdig is transforming higher education by building online communities that drive engagement and collaboration. My EdTech Life is proud to partner with Yellowdig to amplify its mission.

See how Yellowdig can revolutionize your campus—visit Yellowdig.co today!

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Breaking Language Barriers in Education with Pocketalk with Arturo Guajardo 

🎧 Welcome to another exciting episode of My EdTech Life! This week, I'm joined by Arturo Guajardo from Pocketalk, where we explore how their groundbreaking translation device is helping break down language barriers in classrooms, school districts, and beyond! 🌍

Pocketalk is revolutionizing how educators, students, and parents communicate, especially in multicultural settings. Get ready to hear how this device empowers students, supports teachers, and strengthens connections within the community.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• How Pocketalk removes language barriers in classrooms 💬
• The journey from bilingual education to cutting-edge EdTech 👨‍🏫
• Real-life stories of how schools use Pocketalk to improve communication 🎒
• The Ventana program for managing devices across districts 💡
• Privacy features that ensure your information is safe 🔐

Timestamps:
00:00 – Welcome & Introduction: Meet Arturo Guajardo
02:00 – Arturo’s Journey: From bilingual teacher to EdTech innovator
05:00 – Pocketalk's Role in the Classroom: Real-time translation at your fingertips
11:00 – How Pocketalk Works: Hands-on demo of the device
22:00 – Success Stories: How schools are using Pocketalk to support multilingual learners
29:00 – Ventana: Managing devices across districts for efficiency and impact
36:00 – Privacy Features: Keeping data safe with COPPA, FERPA, and HIPAA compliance
40:00 – Arturo’s Final Thoughts: Key takeaways and advice for educators

Don't forget to:
🔔 Subscribe to stay updated with the latest in EdTech!
💬 Drop a comment below and let us know how you plan to use Pocketalk in your school or district!
🌐 Check out Pocketalk at pocketalk.com – this episode’s sponsor is revolutionizing communication for students, parents, and educators!

🙏 Huge thanks to our sponsors, Eduaide.AI and Yellowdig, for their continued support!

Stay Techie! 

Authentic engagement, inclusion, and learning across the curriculum for ALL your students. Teachers love Book Creator.

Yellowdig is transforming higher education by building online communities that drive engagement and collaboration. My EdTech Life is proud to partner with Yellowdig to amplify its mission.

See how Yellowdig can revolutionize your campus—visit Yellowdig.co today!

Support the show

Send us a text

AI Safety, Ethics, and the SHIELD Conference with Angeline Corvaglia 

The future of AI safety is unfolding fast—and we need to be ready.

In this episode of My EdTech Life, I sit down with Angeline Corvaglia, a global leader in online safety, AI ethics, and digital literacy. We dive into some of the most pressing issues in AI today, including:

🛑 AI-powered predators and chatbots—are they automating child grooming?
🔍 The hidden dangers of AI relationships—a shocking story of a 13-year-old's first abusive chatbot "boyfriend"
📢 The SHIELD Global Online Safety Conference—why this worldwide event is breaking barriers and amplifying unheard voices
🚀 The AI arms race—who is really in control, and where are we headed?

Angeline shares eye-opening insights on the urgency of AI literacy, why parents need to rethink their approach to digital safety, and how the SHIELD Conference is uniting 16 countries to take action.

💡 Join the conversation and be part of the movement! Sign up for the SHIELD Global Online Safety Conference here:
🔗 https://shieldthefuture.com/

🎙️ Discover more incredible conversations on AI, EdTech, and the future of learning at:
🌍 www.myedtech.life

🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more thought-provoking discussions!

Authentic engagement, inclusion, and learning across the curriculum for ALL your students. Teachers love Book Creator.

Yellowdig is transforming higher education by building online communities that drive engagement and collaboration. My EdTech Life is proud to partner with Yellowdig to amplify its mission.

See how Yellowdig can revolutionize your campus—visit Yellowdig.co today!

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Episode 312: I Used My Boat Money to Start Tech My School with Robby Cobbs

What would you do if you saw an entire generation of students being left behind? Robby Cobbs saw the need for better technology, teacher training, and modern resources in Puerto Rican schools—and he took action. Instead of buying a boat, he used his savings to launch Tech My School, a nonprofit dedicated to equipping underserved schools with technology and empowering teachers to bring 21st-century learning to their students.

In this powerful episode, Robby shares his journey from EdTech leader to nonprofit founder, the shocking state of education in Puerto Rico, and how Tech My School is bridging the digital divide.

💡 Topics We Cover:
✔️ The challenges Puerto Rican schools face & why the education system is struggling
✔️ How Tech My School is transforming schools through technology & professional development
✔️ Robby’s international journey in education—from California to Africa & beyond
✔️ The Tech My School Conference in March—a game-changer for EdTech in Puerto Rico!

🚀 Get Involved & Make an Impact!
🔗 Learn more about Tech My School: https://techmyschool.org
🎟️ Register for the Tech My School Conference (March 15-16): https://techmyschool.org/conference/
📚 Check out Robby’s book Tech Centered Learning Driven: A Guide to Improving Your Educational Career with Technology: https://amzn.to/4hFtCya

🙌 A huge shoutout to our sponsors @EduaideAI & @Yellowdig for supporting this mission!

🔥 Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT & SUBSCRIBE! We’re so close to 1,000 subscribers—help us get there! 

Authentic engagement, inclusion, and learning across the curriculum for ALL your students. Teachers love Book Creator.

Yellowdig is transforming higher education by building online communities that drive engagement and collaboration. My EdTech Life is proud to partner with Yellowdig to amplify its mission.

See how Yellowdig can revolutionize your campus—visit Yellowdig.co today!

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Episode 311: Transforming Audio with Adobe Podcast with Harmony Jiroudek

What if creating professional-grade audio was just a few clicks away? In this episode, I sit down with Harmony Jiroudek, Customer Education and Success Lead at Adobe Podcast, to explore how this AI-powered platform is transforming the world of audio creation!

🔹 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✅ How Adobe Podcast evolved from an enhanced speech tool to a full-suite podcasting powerhouse 🛠
✅ AI-driven features like remote recording, text-based editing, and speech enhancement 🎙
✅ Why educators and content creators should embrace podcasting for storytelling, collaboration, and creativity 🏫
✅ Breaking barriers: Practical steps for integrating podcasting into classrooms and libraries 📚
✅ The power of authenticity and digital storytelling—and how these tools help amplify your voice 🎤✨

🌟 Whether you're an educator, a podcaster, or a creative storyteller, this episode will inspire you to take your audio content to the next level!

🔗 Try Adobe Podcast & Express for yourself: podcast.adobe.com

💡 How do you see podcasting shaping education and content creation? Drop a comment below! ⬇️

🔔 Like, subscribe, and help us hit 1K subscribers! Subscribe here!

🎧 Listen to more episodes at MyEdTech.Life

Authentic engagement, inclusion, and learning across the curriculum for ALL your students. Teachers love Book Creator.

Yellowdig is transforming higher education by building online communities that drive engagement and collaboration. My EdTech Life is proud to partner with Yellowdig to amplify its mission.

See how Yellowdig can revolutionize your campus—visit Yellowdig.co today!

Support the show

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Episode 310: AI, Feedback, and Student Success with Caryn Sever

In this episode of My EdTech Life, I sit down with Caryn Sever, a passionate instructional designer with a mission to revolutionize digital learning. Caryn shares her unique journey into instructional design, her experiences in higher education, and how Generative AI is reshaping the way students learn and engage with course materials.

💡 Topics Covered:
✅ Caryn’s journey from student to instructional design leader
✅ The evolving role of AI in higher education
✅ How AI can build resilience and critical thinking in students
✅ Overcoming challenges in AI adoption among faculty
✅ The importance of digital literacy and ethical AI use

Caryn’s insights will change the way you think about AI in education—from being a simple automation tool to a powerful ally in student growth and engagement.

🔥 Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe to support the show and keep up with the latest in EdTech!

📌 Follow My EdTech Life:
📌 Support our Show: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2395968/support

🔹 Disclaimer: The views expressed by Caryn Sever in this episode are solely her own and do not reflect the official stance of any institution.

Authentic engagement, inclusion, and learning across the curriculum for ALL your students. Teachers love Book Creator.

Yellowdig is transforming higher education by building online communities that drive engagement and collaboration. My EdTech Life is proud to partner with Yellowdig to amplify its mission.

See how Yellowdig can revolutionize your campus—visit Yellowdig.co today!

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Practical Insights on AI, Equity, and Education with Stacy Kratochvil

In this episode of My EdTech Life, I sit down with Stacy Kratochvil to share actionable insights into using AI in education. Stacy discusses her journey from teaching PE and dance to becoming a leader in AI education and how her work is making a direct impact in classrooms.

You’ll learn about Stacy’s professional growth through the Krause Center for Innovation and her experience launching an AI fellowship program to help educators like you develop a balanced, ethical approach to AI. We focus on practical ways you can embed AI into your teaching while addressing key challenges like bias, environmental impact, and equitable access.

We also discuss how AI can align with equity and anti-racism goals in education. Stacey shares specific strategies for integrating AI into your existing curriculum to make lessons more engaging, inclusive, and effective.

💡 Key Takeaways for You:

• How to get started with AI tools in your classroom or district.
• Simple ways to address ethical considerations in teaching with AI.
• Strategies to foster critical thinking and empathy in your students.
• Steps to align AI use with equity and inclusion goals.

📌 Resources and Links:

• Connect with Stacy: www.linkedin.com/in/stacykratochvil/
• Discover more episodes: www.myedtech.life/

💬 Enjoy the episode? Like, comment, and subscribe to stay updated on the latest in EdTech!

Authentic engagement, inclusion, and learning across the curriculum for ALL your students. Teachers love Book Creator.

Yellowdig is transforming higher education by building online communities that drive engagement and collaboration. My EdTech Life is proud to partner with Yellowdig to amplify its mission.

See how Yellowdig can revolutionize your campus—visit Yellowdig.co today!

Support the show