What the EdTech?

Most people open ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini and start from scratch every single time. In this episode, Rob breaks down why that's a trap — and how custom instructions, memory, and a simple AI hack can transform your results in minutes. The bridge between learning AI and living with AI.

Think prompt engineering is the hardest part of AI? Think again. In this episode, we dive into the 'compound effect' of AI usage and the secret feature changing how we interact with chatbots: persistent memory. Discover why the learning curve is temporary and how tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini actually start learning *you* over time, turning exhausting data entry into seamless collaboration.

Key Takeaways:

• The Learning Curve is Front-Loaded: Prompt engineering matters most on day one.
• Memory is the Game Changer: Major platforms carry context across sessions.
• The Compound Effect: Consistent use builds a relationship with the AI.
• The New Must-Have Skill: Knowing when to deploy AI and building long-term context.

This week I built an AI system to help me be a better CIO — and there are lessons here for how we approach technology in our districts.

Topics Covered:

• Setting up automated daily research briefings
• COPPA compliance deadline: April 22, 2026
• Shadow IT in education and approved tool strategy
• Matching AI tools to tasks (cost optimization)
• Agentic AI trends in K-12
• Leadership filter: Does it help teachers teach or kids learn?

Key Dates:

• April 22, 2026 — COPPA compliance deadline
• March 9-12, 2026 — SXSWedu, Austin TX
• April 13-15, 2026 — CoSN, Chicago IL

In this special preview episode, we’re giving you a behind-the-scenes look at what’s in store for attendees at the Propellus Tech Summit 2025! Recorded for registered participants, this episode walks you through the session formats, keynote highlights, featured partner sessions, and all the high-energy moments waiting for you at Wichita State University on May 28–29.

Hear what makes this event different—from Seesaw-sponsored poster sessions and deep dive workshops to optional lunchtime activities like the Mystery Box Challenge and Teacher Trivia Showdown. You’ll also get tips for maximizing your experience, earning graduate credit, and building your personalized schedule in Sched.

Whether you’re a classroom teacher, instructional coach, or tech-loving administrator, this episode will help you hit the ground running.

🔗 Learn more at: https://propellus2025.sched.com

Welcome to the forefront of educational transformation, where technologymeets tradition, and innovation creates inspiration. You're tuned into What the EdTech?, the go-to podcast for educators, tech enthusiasts, and change-makers. Today, we're thrilled to introduce a special guest, a visionary in the realm of educational technology. He's not just a coordinator; he's a catalyst for change in the classrooms of San Diego. Please welcome Chris Garcia, M.Ed., from the Innovation Division at the San Diego County Office of Education.

Podcast Highlights

• Chris and Rob discussed the San Diego County Office of Education's Innovation Center and its impact on students. The center focuses on connecting students' strengths, interests, and values through a theory known as the riasec.
  • Chris and Rob introduced two special guests, Clint Dayhuff and Chris Garcia, to discuss their roles in esports and edtech.
  • Chris discussed the impact of the future ready hub, which includes gaming computers and opportunities for esports, podcasting, video creation, video editing, and graphic design.
• Chris and Rob discussed esports and its potential in education. Chris explained how the Future Ready Lab provides coaching clinics for teachers and students, and how esports can be used to boost attendance, influence positive behavior, and help with social emotional standards.
  • Chris explains the inception of the esports lab, which was brought by their tech director, Doctor Alicia Gallegos, Butters. The lab is also called the Future Ready Lab.
  • Chris discussed the benefits of esports in boosting attendance, influencing positive behavior, and improving social emotional standards. He also mentioned training teachers and building an esports club at Monarch School.
  • Rob discussed the success of esports in Wichita, highlighting the positive impact on attendance rates and student interest in STEM careers. He mentioned the presence of paid coaches in high schools, labs in secondary schools, and partnerships with local universities.
  • Chris discussed the importance of failing forward in esports and how it helps students iterate correctly. He shared his experience of playing Rocket League with his club members and how they communicated and reflected on their roles and mistakes.
  • Chris discussed the importance of building confidence after failing in video games and how this trait can be harnessed and transferred to other areas.
• Chris and Rob discussed the impact of AI on education and how to set the culture for AI in schools. They emphasized the importance of exploring AI tools while putting guardrails in place to protect students. They also discussed the need to align AI with social emotional standards and to create policies that evolve over time.
  • Chris and Rob discussed the arrival of generative AI technology in education and the need for policy-making and professional learning around it. Chris shared his approach of setting up meeting spaces with interested parties to discuss the use of AI in everyday life and common concerns.
  • Rob and Chris discussed the importance of setting the culture for AI in schools and aligning it with the castle standards.
  • Chris and Rob discussed the impact of arrival technologies and the importance of adapting to them. They emphasized the need to utilize social emotional standards and create safe spaces while protecting privacy and data.
  • Rob and Chris expressed gratitude towards each other for the opportunity to communicate and explore each other's centers.

What's the most powerful tool in today's classrooms? The answer might surprise you. Welcome to a captivating episode where we explore the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence in education with our distinguished guest, Serena Sax Mandel from Microsoft. Serena's riveting journey from corporate IT to ed-tech sets the scene as we delve into how AI is revolutionizing the education landscape, and enhancing student learning experiences.

Venture with us as we traverse the AI landscape in education, sharing firsthand experiences of how this powerful tool is shaping pedagogy and feedback systems. Uncover how AI is helping students combat anxiety, encouraging metacognition, and even facilitating mastery and competency-based grading. Embark on a global journey from Malaysia to Taiwan and India, and learn how AI is transforming education on a global scale, helping students discover their unique talents, and bridging the digital divide.

Our enlightening conversation with Serena wouldn't be complete without a deep dive into Microsoft's role in this technological revolution. We illuminate the perks of using Microsoft's technology in education, specifically their innovative co-pilot feature. As we wrap up our discussion, we express our gratitude to Serena for her insights and her trust in Microsoft's technologies. Tune in to discover how AI is not just shaping the education of today, but preparing our learners for the workforce of tomorrow.

In this episode, Rob is joined by two guests: Katelyn Schoenhofer, a technology coach and an eSports enthusiast, and Snow White, a leader of education sales strategy at Intel. We discuss the following topics:

• How eSports can benefit students in terms of academic, social, emotional, and career development. We share their personal experiences and stories of how eSports has transformed the lives of many students who were previously disengaged or disconnected from school.
• How AI can enhance learning by simplifying the daily tasks, freeing up cognitive space, and providing personalized feedback and support. We also talk about the ethical and technical challenges of AI in education, and how to prepare students for a future that is constantly changing and evolving.
• How eSports and AI are related and can complement each other. We mention some examples of how AI can help eSports players improve their skills, strategies, and communication, and how eSports can provide a platform for students to learn and apply AI concepts and tools.