Episode 308: Jim & Maurie Beasley AI Insights from an Engineer-Educator Duo

In this exciting episode of My EdTech Life, we welcome Maurie and Jim Beasley, an incredible husband-and-wife team blazing trails in AI for K-12 education! Maurie, an experienced educator and counselor, and Jim, a former engineer turned CTO, share their journey of integrating AI tools into classrooms, balancing innovation with practicality, and bridging the digital divide for rural schools.

💡 What to Expect in This Episode:

• How their AI-powered tool, "Agnes," is transforming classrooms on a budget.
• Practical tips for introducing AI to skeptical educators and administrators.
• The power of policy and why K-12 education must be included in the AI conversation.
• Insights into their AI Trailblazer Program and how they measure its success.
• A behind-the-scenes look at their podcast, AI in Action, and how they stay passionate about education innovation.

🎧 Whether you're a teacher, tech enthusiast, or district leader, you'll discover actionable ideas and inspiration to embrace AI while keeping it simple, effective, and impactful.

📢 Don't forget to subscribe! We're so close to reaching 1,000 followers on YouTube. Help us hit that milestone and continue spreading these knowledge-packed conversations.

👉 Visit our website for more episodes and resources: https://www.myedtech.life

Peel Back Education exists to uncover, share, and amplify powerful, authentic stories from inside classrooms and beyond, helping educators, learners, and the wider community connect meaningfully with the people and ideas shaping education today.

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

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Episode 307: AI in Education: Disruption, Challenges, and Opportunities

In this episode of My EdTech Life, I sit down with Dagan Berenstein, an innovative educator and digital content expert, to discuss the transformative impact of AI on education and how it’s reshaping the learning landscape.

Discover how AI tools like ChatGPT are empowering students and educators, the importance of thoughtful integration, and the challenges schools face when navigating this rapidly evolving technology. From fostering hands-on, meaningful learning to addressing equity and ethical concerns, Dagan shares actionable insights and strategies to use AI responsibly in classrooms.

We also dive into Dagan’s unique journey—from directing capstone projects tied to sustainability to geeking out on Web3 and blockchain in education—and explore how these experiences shape his vision for the future of learning.

🌟 Highlights:
✅ How ChatGPT and generative AI are disrupting traditional education
✅ Balancing technology with deep, hands-on learning experiences
✅ Strategies for implementing AI tools ethically and effectively
✅ Insights into creating authentic student engagement with capstone projects
✅ Why “living aloha” can transform your approach to education

🎧 Listen now to explore how educators can harness AI to create meaningful, inclusive, and future-focused learning experiences!

👉 Connect with Dagan:
🔗 Ed3 Weekly Newsletter: ed3weekly.xyz
📲 Follow: @Ed3Weekly

📌 Don’t forget to subscribe to My EdTech Life and help us reach our 2025 goal of 1,000 subscribers!

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🌐 Website: myedtech.life
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Peel Back Education exists to uncover, share, and amplify powerful, authentic stories from inside classrooms and beyond, helping educators, learners, and the wider community connect meaningfully with the people and ideas shaping education today.

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

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 Episode 306: Unlocking Engagement in Education with Curipod 

In this episode of My EdTech Life, I sit down with Eirik Berre and Frikk Fossan, co-founders of Curipod, an innovative AI-powered platform transforming classrooms by fostering collaboration, engagement, and 100% participation.

Discover how Curipod helps educators create dynamic lessons, spark classroom discussions, and lower participation barriers for all students. From STAAR test prep success to bilingual support and groundbreaking updates launching soon, Eirik and Frikk share how Curipod is shaping the future of education.

We also dive into the personal stories behind the platform—what inspired these passionate innovators to tackle education challenges and what drives their mission to make learning inclusive and engaging. Plus, they share their favorite Texas dishes and reflect on the power of curiosity in learning.

🌟 Highlights:
✅ Curipod’s unique "Think, Pair, Share" approach
✅ Game-changing AI feedback for student writing
✅ Tailoring lessons to students’ interests (Pokémon, Taylor Swift, & more!)
✅ Powerful updates coming in January
✅ Insights into fostering collaboration and SEL in classrooms

🎧 Listen now and explore how Curipod is revolutionizing learning, one classroom at a time!

👉 Connect with Curipod:
🔗 Website: curipod.com
📲 Follow on Social: @Curipod

📌 Don’t forget to subscribe to My EdTech Life and help us reach our 2025 goal of 1,000 subscribers!

➡️ Follow My EdTech Life:
🌐 Website: myedtech.life
📺 YouTube: Subscribe Now
📲 Socials: @MyEdTechLife
💰Support: Be A Show Producer

Peel Back Education exists to uncover, share, and amplify powerful, authentic stories from inside classrooms and beyond, helping educators, learners, and the wider community connect meaningfully with the people and ideas shaping education today.

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

Support the show

In this episode of My EdTech Life, we dive into a crucial topic for parents and educators: creating safer digital spaces for kids. Fonz Mendoza sits down with Bill Brady, CEO of Troomi, to discuss how their innovative phone technology is empowering parents to navigate the challenges of screen time, social media, and digital safety. Tune in for valuable insights, actionable tips, and a look at how Troomi is revolutionizing the tech landscape for families.

Timestamps:
0:00 - Introduction: Welcoming Bill Brady
01:30 - Bill’s Background: Fatherhood and the impact of tech on families
06:00 - The Birth of Troomi: Addressing the gap in kid-safe technology
10:15 - Guiding Parents: Handling societal pressures on phone usage
14:00 - Tackling Digital Wellness: Anxiety, depression, and screen time solutions
18:30 - Troomi Features: Safe browsing and app suite
21:15 - Guardrails for Safety: Preventing inappropriate content
24:45 - Growing with Kids: How Troomi evolves with age
27:30 - Empowering Parents: Insights into kids' digital behavior
31:00 - Holiday Offers: Free Troomi Pro phone and discounts
34:00 - Final Thoughts: Why digital safety matters
36:00 - Fun Segment: Edu-kryptonite, billboards, and trading places

Links:
🌐 Visit Troomi: https://www.troomi.com
🎧 Explore all episodes of My EdTech Life: https://www.myedtech.life
💙 Support the podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2395968/support

Follow Us on Social Media:
Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and more: @myedtechlife

🔔 Subscribe to our YouTube Channel! Let’s hit 1,000 subscribers before 2025!

Stay Techie!

Peel Back Education exists to uncover, share, and amplify powerful, authentic stories from inside classrooms and beyond, helping educators, learners, and the wider community connect meaningfully with the people and ideas shaping education today.

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

Support the show

Episode 304: Amplifying Student Voices with Bonnie Nieves

In this episode of My EdTech Life, I sit down with my great friend, Bonnie Nieves, to discuss the power of amplifying student voices, fostering engagement, and embracing new challenges in the classroom. Bonnie shares her experience transitioning from high school to 6th-grade science, creating meaningful learning opportunities, and her passion for student-led podcasting. This is an inspiring episode filled with actionable strategies for teachers to enhance student ownership and connection to content. 🌟

🔗 Don’t miss Bonnie’s newsletter and student podcast – links are below!

🕒 Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction and catching up with Bonnie Nieves
2:00 Bonnie’s background and work in the education space
5:00 Transition from high school science to 6th-grade general science
7:32 Amplifying student voices and fostering student ownership
10:00 Hands-on activities and building collaboration skills
12:45 Tips for engaging students and empowering their voices
16:25 Students starting their own podcast: I Love Your Guts
19:00 Power of choice and creating authentic learning opportunities
23:00 Upcoming FETC sessions: Personalized AI assistants, Bloom’s Taxonomy, and formative assessments
28:00 Responsible AI use in education and perplexity for research
35:00 Reflections on student engagement, challenges, and progress
37:16 The 3-element formative assessment strategy explained
42:45 Actionable steps for amplifying student voices in the classroom
45:09 Final takeaways and Bonnie’s “Edu Kryptonite”

💡 Connect with Bonnie:

• 📧 Weekly Newsletter: Educate On Purpose Weekly
• 🎙️ Student Podcast I Love Your Guts: Available on Spotify

🚀 Support the Podcast: If you find value in our episodes, consider supporting us here.

📢 Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to help us reach 1,000 subscribers!

Don't forget, Stay Techie! 

Peel Back Education exists to uncover, share, and amplify powerful, authentic stories from inside classrooms and beyond, helping educators, learners, and the wider community connect meaningfully with the people and ideas shaping education today.

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

Support the show

Blending Creativity, Education, and Technology with Manuel Herrera

Welcome to another inspiring episode of My EdTech Life! Today, we sit down with the multi-talented Manuel Herrera, an illustrator, educator, and consultant, to discuss his journey through education, creativity, and EdTech. Manuel shares how his passion for drawing and creativity has shaped his career and inspired countless students and educators. Get ready for an engaging conversation full of actionable insights and inspiration for educators, creators, and lifelong learners!

🔗 Key Topics Discussed:

• Manuel's journey from classroom teacher to EdTech leader and consultant
• How creativity enhances teaching and learning
• The role of tools in the creative process
• Overcoming imposter syndrome and fostering confidence
• Practical steps to unlock your creative potential

✨ Timestamps:
00:30 Introduction and gratitude to the audience
02:00 Meet Manuel Herrera: Educator, illustrator, and speaker
03:14 Blending passions: Creativity in education and EdTech
06:00 The early days of creativity in teaching
10:00 Storyboarding and drawing: Unlocking student creativity
18:27 Manuel's current role and the birth of Manuel Draws
25:00 Encouraging educators to express their creativity
32:58 Tackling imposter syndrome and building a supportive network
39:00 Steps to ignite your creative journey
41:17 Manuel's “edu kryptonite”: Chasing too many tools
45:42 Manuel's billboard message: "Don’t Be a Jerk!"

📢 Stay Connected:
Follow Manuel Herrera for more creative inspiration
Check out his work at Manuel Draws: https://www.manueldraws.com/

🌟 Support My EdTech Life:
If you enjoy our episodes, consider supporting us:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2395968/support

🎧 Listen to All Episodes:
Visit www.myedtech.life to explore 300+ episodes packed with knowledge nuggets for educators and creators alike.

💡 Subscribe, Like, and Share:
Remember to like this video, subscribe to our channel, and share it with fellow educators and creatives. Let’s continue growing this amazing community together.

Stay inspired, stay creative, and, as always, Stay Techie!

Peel Back Education exists to uncover, share, and amplify powerful, authentic stories from inside classrooms and beyond, helping educators, learners, and the wider community connect meaningfully with the people and ideas shaping education today.

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

Support the show

Episode 302: A Practical Roadmap for AI in K-12 Education with Mike Kentz & Nick Potkalitsky, PhD

In this episode of My EdTech Life, I had the pleasure of interviewing Mike Kentz and Nick Potkalitsky, PhD, to discuss their new book, AI in Education: The K-12 Roadmap to Teacher-Led Transformation. We dive into the transformative power of AI in education, exploring its potential for personalization, its impact on traditional teaching practices, and the critical need for teacher-driven experimentation. 

Here’s what you can expect in this insightful conversation: 

🕒 Timestamps 
00:30 Welcome & Introductions
02:24 Nick’s Journey: Humanities, AI, and Building Pragmatic AI Solutions 
04:19 Mike’s Path: From Financial Journalism to AI in Education 
07:31 How Their Book Came to Life & The Importance of Teacher-Led Transformation 
14:43 Mike’s Chapter on Grieving the Old Ways of Teaching 
22:35 Nick on AI’s Role in Moving From Standardization to Personalization 
29:36 The Dangers of "Tech Before Teacher" & Practical Advice for Schools 
35:57 The Car Engine Analogy: Understanding AI Without Being Overwhelmed 
40:39 AI Literacy vs. AI Training: The Critical Distinction 
47:00 Actionable Steps for Administrators & Teachers to Begin Their AI Journey 

🎧 Key Takeaways 
- Why educators must find a balance between cautious optimism and experimentation. 
- How AI highlights long-standing challenges in education and opens new doors for pedagogical reform. 
- Practical strategies for administrators and teachers to embrace AI thoughtfully and effectively. 

💡 Join the conversation and connect with Mike and Nick for more insights on AI in education. Their contact details and links to their book are in the show notes. 

Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and leave a thumbs-up if you enjoyed this episode! Let’s keep building a tech-savvy education community together. 

🔗 Visit us at www.myedtech.life for more incredible episodes and resources. 

👉 Stay Techie!

Peel Back Education exists to uncover, share, and amplify powerful, authentic stories from inside classrooms and beyond, helping educators, learners, and the wider community connect meaningfully with the people and ideas shaping education today.

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

Support the show

Connect, Create, and Grow with The Art of Education
In this episode of My EdTech Life, I reconnect with Jen Leban to discuss the vibrant and supportive Art of Education community. Jen shares her journey from being an art teacher to becoming the Online Community Manager for The Art of Education University. Learn how the community supports art educators worldwide, fosters creativity, and integrates technology like AI into art education. Whether you're an aspiring art teacher, a seasoned educator, or someone passionate about the intersection of art and tech, this episode is for you!

Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome and Introduction
01:36 Jen's Journey in Education
02:28 From Art Teacher to Online Community Manager
06:29 Supporting Art Teachers Through Community
08:26 The Art of Education Offerings Explained
14:05 Embracing AI in Art Education
18:29 Overcoming Resistance to Technology in Art
22:44 Simple Ways to Incorporate AI in Art Classrooms
25:28 Inside the Art of Education Community
29:56 Activities and Monthly Art Club Meetings
34:09 How to Join the Community and Connect with Jen
37:31 Reflecting on Growth Over the Years

Important Links:
🌟 Join the Community: http://community.theartofeducation.edu/
🌟 Explore The Art of Education: https://theartofeducation.edu
🌟 Learn About the NOW Conference: https://theartofeducation.edu/now/
🌟 Check Out the YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@theartofed
🌟 Listen to the Podcast: https://theartofeducation.edu/podcasts/

Follow My EdTech Life:
👉 Website: www.myedtech.life
👉 Subscribe and Like for more amazing conversations with inspiring guests!

Peel Back Education exists to uncover, share, and amplify powerful, authentic stories from inside classrooms and beyond, helping educators, learners, and the wider community connect meaningfully with the people and ideas shaping education today.

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

Support the show

Episode 300: Navigating AI and Human Cognition

In this special 300th episode of My EdTech Life, I sit down with Benjamin Riley, founder of Cognitive Resonance, to explore the intersection of AI and human cognition in education. We discuss everything from the hype surrounding AI, the challenges of automation in learning, and why understanding human cognition is crucial to navigating new educational technologies. Join us as we question the assumptions about AI’s role in schools, dig into the biases of large language models, and look at the responsibilities educators face in this tech-driven world.

Timestamps
00:25 - Introduction to the 300th Episode and Guest Introduction
01:33 - Benjamin’s Background and the Founding of Cognitive Resonance
06:01 - Initial Thoughts on ChatGPT in November 2022
11:45 - Comparing AI Hype to Past Tech Predictions in Education
16:15 - Why Effortful Thinking is Essential for Learning
20:03 - Limitations of AI as a Tutor and Khanmigo
25:06 - The Risks of Taking AI-Generated Content at Face Value
29:35 - Influence of Tech Companies and Education Influencers
34:05 - Real AI Literacy vs. Learning Prompt Engineering
39:02 - Addressing the Pressure to “Keep Up” with AI in Education
44:59 - Practical Frameworks for Cautious AI Adoption in Schools
47:47 - Closing Questions: Benjamin’s Edu Kryptonite, Role Models, and Billboard Message

Thank you for joining us for this milestone episode! Don’t forget to check out the Cognitive Resonance website and Benjamin’s must-read paper, “Education Hazards of Generative AI.” And remember, stay techie!

Peel Back Education exists to uncover, share, and amplify powerful, authentic stories from inside classrooms and beyond, helping educators, learners, and the wider community connect meaningfully with the people and ideas shaping education today.

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

Support the show

Episode 299: Guardrails for Growing Minds with Dr. Sonia Tiwari

In this episode of My EdTech Life, I had the pleasure of talking with Dr. Sonia Tiwari, an innovative researcher diving deep into the impact of AI and parasocial relationships on children. We discuss her unique career journey from character design in gaming to focusing on AI’s ethical design for young learners. Together, we explore essential guardrails, the concept of parasocial relationships with AI, and the implications of unregulated AI in education. If you’re an educator, parent, or AI enthusiast, this conversation offers crucial insights on how AI intersects with learning, safety, and digital relationships.

Timestamps:

0:00 – Introduction and Welcome 
1:30 – Introducing Dr. Sonia Tiwari 
2:30 – Dr. Tiwari’s Background: From Gaming to AI 
4:00 – What Are Parasocial Relationships? 
8:06 – The Need for Guardrails in AI for Children 
12:00 – Simplifying Guardrails: Legal, Design, and Cultural 
14:49 – Ensuring Safe AI Use Through Joint Engagement 
16:50 – Dr. Tiwari’s Research in Ethical AI 
20:44 – Challenges with Unregulated AI in Education 
24:38 – Importance of Parental Engagement in Digital Spaces 
26:39 – Ethical Framework for AI in Child Development 
33:00 – The Role of AI in Classroom Chatbots 
39:26 – Tech Companies’ Responsibilities in AI for Kids 
42:23 – Reflecting on AI’s Rapid Growth in K-12 Spaces 
46:52 – How to Connect with Dr. Sonia Tiwari 
47:12 – Final Three Questions with Dr. Tiwari 
50:13 – Closing Thoughts and Thank You 

Thank you for tuning in! Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to My EdTech Life for more conversations that push the boundaries of education and technology. And remember—stay techie!

Peel Back Education exists to uncover, share, and amplify powerful, authentic stories from inside classrooms and beyond, helping educators, learners, and the wider community connect meaningfully with the people and ideas shaping education today.

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

Support the show