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Episode 321: 2059 and the Future of Education with Micah Shippee

What if we stopped reacting to every new tech tool and started preparing with intention? In this bold conversation, I sit down with educator, futurist, and Samsung’s Director of Education Solutions, Micah Shippee, to explore his new book 2059: The Future of Education.

We dive deep into what the future could look like across AI, classroom models, access, agency, and everything in between. If you're an educator, leader, or just curious about what’s next in learning, this episode is for you.

Bonus: Grab 2059 with 20% off at Micah’s website https://micahshippee.com/

Huge thanks to our sponsors for making this episode possible: 

Book Creator, Eduaide, and Yellowdig.

Timestamps
  Timestamps:
00:00 – Welcome & Episode Intro
02:00 – Who is Micah Shippee? Background & Vision
03:30 – Why the year 2059? A nod to Orwell and bold futurism
05:00 – The post-scarcity scholar: most controversial prediction?
06:40 – The Fusion Model & the “Pencil Moment” in innovation
09:00 – Integration vs. Adoption: A critical distinction
10:45 – Advice for tech leaders: How to evaluate AI platforms
13:00 – What teachers still get wrong about AI
16:00 – Augmenting classroom learning with AI (not replacing it)
17:45 – 4 Future Scenarios: Which excites Micah most?
19:00 – Why bio-integration might go too far
22:00 – Teachers CANNOT be replaced – Here’s why
25:00 – Responding to AI hype: why slower is better
27:00 – Access to agency: modeling vulnerability and real learning
30:00 – Practical implementation tips for all educators
33:00 – Who struggles most with AI? (It’s not who you think)
34:30 – Micah’s 3 steps to begin your AI journey
36:30 – The WHY behind tech: Micah’s journey from classroom to Samsung
38:00 – What Micah hopes readers take away from 2059
41:30 – The 2059 vision: thinking long-term about change
44:00 – Fun wrap-up questions + 20% off the book! 

💡 Let us know in the comments: What’s your biggest takeaway from 2059?
🎧 Listen on the go at https://www.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!

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Episode 320: Creativity in Young Children: What Science Tells Us and Our Hearts Know with Dr. Zachary Stier & Tom Rendon

In this episode of My EdTech Life, I’m joined by returning guest Dr. Zachary Stier and first-time guest Tom Rendon to explore their new book Creativity in Young Children: What Science Tells Us and Our Hearts Know. We dive deep into the intersection of creativity, child development, advocacy, and play—discussing what it means to truly nurture creativity in early learning environments and why it’s time to center it, not sideline it.

Whether you're a parent, educator, policymaker, or lifelong learner, this episode will challenge your assumptions, spark new ideas, and reignite your belief in the power of curiosity and imagination.

⏱️ Timestamps:
00:00 – Welcome & intros
04:20 – Why creativity matters in education
09:45 – Story behind The Power of Play
14:10 – Using creativity as advocacy
21:00 – Designing inclusive classrooms that invite belonging
28:40 – Play and emotional growth
36:00 – Classroom experiences that shaped the book
42:15 – Actionable strategies for creative learning
50:00 – Final reflections & book access
53:10 – Wrap-up

📢 Special thanks to our sponsors
Eduaide.AI | Book Creator | Yellowdig | 
Your support fuels the conversations that matter.

🎧 Like what you heard?
Visit myedtech.life to explore more amazing episodes that push education forward.

✌️ Stay curious, stay connected…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 319: AI, Education, and Moving at Human Speed with Rob Nelson

In this powerful episode of My EdTech Life, I sit down with educator, writer, and higher ed tech veteran Rob Nelson to explore the real story behind AI in education. Rob challenges the “move fast and break things” mentality and calls for a more human-paced, thoughtful approach to integrating AI in classrooms.

We explore what it really means to Tinker Toward Utopia, how large language models are reshaping student learning (when used intentionally), and why educators must resist pressure from hype-driven platforms. This episode is packed with clarity, caution, and hope for anyone navigating the fast-moving world of AI in education.

Links to the publications I mentioned.
Henry Farrell's blog, Programmable Mutter
Tinkering Toward Utopia by David Tyack and Larry Cuban
A Voice from the South by Anna Julia Cooper

And, of course, Rob's Blog
Website: ailogblog.com

 👇 Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome & Rob’s background in higher ed
 04:00 – AI adoption: Hype vs. reality
 09:00 – Duck-Rabbit duality: Two ways to see AI
 12:00 – Using LLMs to support—not replace—teaching
 25:00 – The danger of humanizing AI too much
 28:00 – The AI Fight Club: Polarization in the space
 33:00 – Why rushing into AI contracts can backfire
 38:00 – Tinkering toward utopia: A better path forward
 44:00 – Final reflections & rapid-fire Q&A

🙏 Special thanks to our amazing sponsors who help make these conversations possible:

📚 Book Creator – Empowering student voice and creativity.
💬 EDU Aide – Simplifying communication, saving educators time.
🌐 Yellowdig – Building communities that spark meaningful learning.

Please show them some love!

🔗 Catch more episodes at: www.myedtech.life
☕ Support the show: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2395968/support

💬 Let’s keep changing education—at the speed of people.

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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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!

Support the show

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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!

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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!

Support the show