Putman Podcast Pops

In this episode live from NSTA, Tanya, a staff member at the Hiller Aviation Museum in San Carlos, CA, shares what makes the museum special — from Wright Model B replicas and a real 747 cockpit to drones, simulators, and VR. She talks about their field trips and summer camps for kids K–8, the excitement around the Artemis launch, and the museum's popular "Biggest Little Air Show" featuring a drone show.

In this episode, Shannon sits down with Mercy Johnson, Marketing Director for VLab Education, to explore how virtual reality is transforming science education. Mercy shares how VLab offers immersive, entry-level chemistry labs — from safety training and glassware basics to flame tests, precipitation reactions, heat capacity experiments, and even an explosion lab — all designed to let students learn through trial and error without real-world risks. The conversation digs into the value of gamified, open-ended learning, the importance of staying an education-first company (not a tech company), and why human customer service still matters. Mercy also shares her unconventional path into the VR space, the exciting Next Generation Science Standards rollout driving demand, and why the team believes immersive learning is the classroom shift education has been waiting for.

Episode Links:
Website: VLab Education

Shannon's Links:
Putman XR
XReps

Host Shannon welcomes back Dave Dolan — immersive learning veteran and VR-in-education advocate — for a wide-ranging conversation about the real challenges and possibilities of bringing VR into classrooms worldwide.

Topics covered:

• The "just" problem — Dave's framework for why ed tech vendors consistently underestimate the burden they place on teachers, and why most educators see VR's value but won't adopt it under current conditions.
• The four stakeholders — Students, teachers, IT, and admin each have distinct needs that must all be satisfied for a successful VR rollout.
• Champion teacher trap — Most companies sell to the enthusiastic early adopter, leaving the other 25–30 teachers in a school behind — and when that champion leaves, the program collapses (illustrated by a real-world Estonia case study).
• VR as a calculator — Dave's vision: VR should be as unremarkable and accessible as a calculator. One device per 10 students, offline-capable, picked up and used as needed — not a monthly event in the gymnasium.
• Gaming vs. education devices — A deep dive into why consumer/gaming headsets create hidden costs through MDM solutions, connectivity dependencies, and biometric data collection that should give schools pause.
• Student data and privacy — As VR shifts from behavioral data to biometric data, Dave raises serious concerns about devices tied to social media platforms and what that means for student privacy.
• Graphics quality vs. content quality — The real measure of a VR experience is its word count (actual learning content), not photorealism. Good enough graphics + rich content beats stunning visuals with nothing to do.
• AR glasses hype — Both hosts are skeptical of the current rush toward AR glasses for education: battery life, AI hallucinations, data ownership, and misuse potential in schools are all unresolved.
• VR vs. XR terminology — Dave argues that lumping VR, AR, and MR under "XR" degrades the unique value of each technology. VR's power is immersion and distraction removal — fundamentally different from AR/MR.

Links:
Shannon's Links:
Putman XR
LinkedIn: Dr. Shannon Putman

Dave's Links:
Sensible VR
LinkedIn: Dave Dolan

In this live interview recorded at the NSTA conference, host Shannon chats with Peggy, a high school science teacher with 16+ years of experience, about her innovative and student-centered approach to education.

Shannon welcomes Tracy Scott, a second-grade instructional assistant with 23 years of experience in Jefferson County Public Schools, to discuss the often-overlooked role of classified school staff. Tracy shares what instructional assistants actually do—far beyond the common misconception of just "taking kids to the bathroom"—including leading intervention groups, providing emotional support, managing behavior, and building lasting relationships with students.

Key topics include the persistent class divide between certified teachers and assistants, how assistants are frequently given the most challenging students and behavior situations without recognition, and the need for mutual respect within school communities. Tracy emphasizes that kids primarily need love, attention, and "their person" to confide in—something she's provided for two decades, maintaining relationships with former students well into their twenties.

Links:
Putman XR Consulting
LinkedIn: Shannon Putman

Shannon welcomes Benjamin Albaum (CEO/Founder) and John Mina (CIO/Founder) of VIZQ to discuss their revolutionary speech therapy technology.

Key Topics:

• The Generalization Problem: John explains how students master skills in therapy but struggle to transfer them to real-world settings—the core problem Viscu aims to solve.
• What is VIZQ?: A VR-based digital extension of speech therapy that collects real-time data and personalizes treatment, creating continuity of care between therapy, home, and school.
• Speech Therapy Scope: John clarifies that SLPs work on far more than lisps—including speech sounds, fluency, voice, and the critical area of language (expressive, receptive, and pragmatic/social skills).
• Why Toothbrushing?: The team chose this as their first activity because it incorporates receptive language, cognition, sequencing, and behavior—all foundational skills wrapped in one essential daily task.
• Research-Based Approach: VIZQ uses systematic prompting and evidence-based special education practices, making it adaptable for any learner, not just those with disabilities.
• Real Results: Deployed in 10+ Kentucky schools across 5 counties, students are requesting to use VIZQ, cheering each other on, and—most importantly—10 of 11 kids in a study showed independent toothbrushing at 1 and 3-month follow-ups.
• Future Vision: Expanding to life skills like laundry and coffee-making that double as job skills, with the ultimate goal of creating "a therapist in your pocket" for lifelong independence.

Returning guest Dmitry Goldfinch from GW Pro discusses their VR training platform's latest developments: 25 modules with multiplayer capability, new non-VR options for Chromebooks and basic laptops, and a teacher-focused educator guide aligned with national CTE standards. He spotlights their partnership with Kentucky Virtual Academy's 250-headset remote learning program and preview upcoming soft skills training that adds workplace communication scenarios to practical modules.

Guest Links:
LinkedIn:
GW Pro
Dmitry Goldfinch
Website: gwpro.io

Get in touch with Shannon:
Putman XR Consulting
LinkedIn: Dr. Shannon Putman

In this epsiode, Shannon welcomes Caroline Sanchez Crozier, a pioneering entrepreneur celebrating 38 years of leadership with CSC Consulting Group. Caroline shares her journey from corporate CPA to tech entrepreneur, including her groundbreaking work with Apple Computer bringing technology to Chicago Public Schools in the 1990s. She discusses the persistent challenges of equitable tech access—from infrastructure and teacher training to mindset shifts—issues that remain relevant today whether implementing VR, AI, or any emerging technology.

Now leading the nonprofit Digital Leaders Now, Caroline introduces the concept of "ganas" (grit and resilience) and the Ganas Tech Expo, an annual event bringing together students, educators, and industry leaders to co-create solutions for real-world community challenges. The conversation explores mission-driven entrepreneurship, the power of diversity of thought, breaking down silos between education and industry, and staying resilient through challenging times. Join the movement at the Ganas Tech Expo on April 22, 2026 at Roosevelt University. Learn more at GanasTech.org.

Get in touch with Caroline:
LinkedIn
Digital Leaders Now

Get in touch with Shannon:
Putman XR Consulting
LinkedIn: Dr. Shannon Putman

In this episode, Shannon sits down with Heather Cain, an educational collaborative specialist with 25 years of experience in education. Heather shares her journey from teaching grades K-8 to finding her true calling in kindergarten, where she spent 13 transformative years.

The conversation explores the realities of modern kindergarten education—from the shift toward more rigorous academic standards to the importance of play-based learning. Heather discusses the critical role of building relationships with students, families, and fellow educators, and highlights the often-overlooked contributions of classroom assistants.

Now in her second year as a collaborative teacher working with second-grade educators, Heather reflects on the differences between classroom teaching and mentorship, the impact of strong leadership, and the importance of embracing technology and AI as tools to enhance—not replace—the human connection at the heart of teaching.

Key topics include:

• The emotional and academic growth of kindergarteners
• Navigating parent relationships with empathy
• The unsung heroes in education (assistants, support staff)
• Adapting to new technology while maintaining the irreplaceable human touch
• The challenges and rewards of modern public education

Get in touch with Shannon:
Putman XR Consulting
LinkedIn: Dr. Shannon Putman

Shannon Putman welcomes Stephanie Breedlove, District Early Childhood Principal for Jefferson County Public Schools in Louisville, Kentucky, to kick off 2026. Stephanie shares her extensive educational journey—from classroom teacher in North Carolina to principal in Nelson County, and now leading early childhood programs in JCPS.

The conversation explores the unique challenges of early childhood education, including serving students with disabilities and those from low-income backgrounds. Stephanie emphasizes that relationship-building and creating a culture of care are foundational to effective leadership, arguing that emotionally healthy staff lead to better student outcomes.

Key topics include:

• The shift in kindergarten expectations (now resembling "the new first grade")
• Support for universal pre-K initiatives
• The critical role of technology in preparing students for the future
• Balancing innovation with teacher buy-in
• The importance of visibility and presence as a school leader

Get in touch with Shannon:
Putman XR Consulting
LinkedIn: Dr. Shannon Putman