Easy EdTech Podcast with Monica Burns
by Monica Burns
Monica Burns from the popular EdTech blog ClassTechTips brings you teaching strategies, tips and activity ideas. Each podcast focuses on how to make EdTech integration easy with a shout out to favorite EdTech tools for classrooms. Monica provides actionable, relevant tips for teachers so you can make this school year the best one yet! Join author, speaker, and blogger, Dr. Monica Burns for an EdTech podcast that helps take the stress out of integrating education technology into your classroom.
Episodes
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How AI Feedback Can Push Students to Think More, Not Less - Bonus Episode with Snorkl
In this episode, I chat with Jon Laven, co-founder and COO of Snorkl, about using AI in a way that puts student thinking first. You'll hear why a recorded explanation reveals more than a typed answer, how teachers set the criteria for AI feedback and stay in the driver's seat, and what school...
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What It Takes to Run an AI Literacy Summit for Educators with Dr. Marc Cicchino - 395
In this episode, I chat with Dr. Marc Cicchino, Director of Innovation at Northern Valley Regional High School District, about what it takes to plan and run the New Jersey AI Literacy Summit. You'll also hear how a question from his superintendent sparked the event, how his team defines AI...
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Digital Check-Ins and the Collective Joy Framework with Kimberly Tsai - 394
In this episode, I chat with Kimberly Tsai, Director of Programs at Challenge Success and author of the new ASCD book The Vital Role of Joy in Schools. We talk about what joy actually looks like in a school setting. You'll also hear how teachers can build small daily habits that sustain them, why...
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3 Ways to Turn Rough Notes into Classroom Resources with AI - 393
In this episode, I share how teachers can create classroom resources with AI, from turning rough notes into polished rubrics, newsletters, and slide decks to refining the results with practical prompts. You'll also hear about the "ask me questions" approach and ways to make AI-generated content...
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How Districts Can Streamline Canvas Onboarding and Course Registration - Bonus Episode with Jotform
In this episode, I chat with Luke Straub, Content Marketer at Jotform, about how districts can automate Canvas enrollment and streamline course registration. You'll also hear how schools can add approvals, conditional logic, and email notifications to enrollment workflows, what different schools...
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Building Coaching Partnerships That Stick with Chrissy Beltran - 392
In this episode, I chat with Chrissy Beltran, instructional coaching consultant and founder of Buzzing with Ms. B, about defining the coaching role and building coaching partnerships that stick. You'll also hear why video coaching is her favorite low-lift, high-return strategy, how the low,...
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Quick Strategies for Using Podcasts in the Classroom - 391
In this episode, I share practical ways to use podcasts in the classroom, from selecting student-friendly episodes to setting a clear purpose for listening. You'll also hear tips on using transcripts for reading support, integrating podcasts into group work, and encouraging students to create…
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How to Rethink Screen Time and Build Inclusive Learning Environments - Bonus Episode with VEX Robotics
In this episode, I chat with Jason McKenna, Vice President of Global Educational Strategy for VEX Robotics, about designing inclusive classroom ecosystems and rethinking the screen time debate. You'll also hear how an accessibility framework reshaped the way VEX builds its tools, why Jason…
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Favorite Strategies for Designing Resources for Students with Sela Estelle - 390
In this episode, I chat with Sela Estelle, an educator and designer who helps teachers create classroom resources with design in mind, about designing resources for students. You'll also hear why the quality of your design has to match the quality of your content, the two design principles Sela...
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How to Take Your Students Around the World with AI - 389
In this episode, I share ten ways to take your students around the world through virtual field trips and global learning with AI. You'll also hear about practical tools and sample prompts for creating tours, videos, reading activities, and creative projects connected to places around the world.…
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How AI Can Supercharge Education Around the World - Bonus Episode with Efekta Education
In this episode, I chat with Dr. Stephen Hodges, CEO of Efekta Education, about how AI can supercharge education in the developing world. You'll hear how teachers in Brazil use a flipped classroom model with AI, how personalized instruction can address Bloom's two sigma problem, and what schools...
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What to Use Instead of Worksheets with Dr. Jessica Espinoza - 388
In this episode, I chat with Dr. Jessica Espinoza, university professor of curriculum and instruction, about what it really means to use meaningful learning experiences instead of worksheets. You'll also hear how sketchnoting builds reading comprehension, why thinking maps are the most natural…
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Getting Started with Gemini Notebook in the Classroom - 387
In this episode, I share what you need to know about Gemini Notebook, the new name for NotebookLM, and why this Google AI tool is worth a spot in your teacher toolkit. You'll also hear what changed, what stayed the same, and favorite features to try, like debate-style audio overviews, customized...
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Strategies for Keeping Student Thinking at the Center of AI with Crystal Uhiren - 386
In this episode, I chat with Crystal Uhiren, an instructional technology facilitator and certified Apple Learning Coach, about keeping student thinking at the center of AI use. You'll also hear practical, low-prep strategies like the two-minute idea sort, mid-class progress pit stops, and...
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10 Classroom Book Study Ideas for Any Subject - 385
In this episode, I share ten classroom book study ideas that use AI to support reading experiences from start to finish. You'll also hear how AI-powered tools can help you build background knowledge, introduce vocabulary, spark discussion, create paired passages, and gather student feedback in…
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How Jotform Is Making Forms Accessible for Everyone with Alper Donmez - Bonus Episode with Jotform
In this episode, I chat with Alper Donmez, VP of Quality Assurance at Jotform, about how the platform is building accessibility into every layer of the form creation and form filling experience. You'll also hear what Jotform's built-in accessibility checker catches that you might not expect, how...
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The Science of Lesson Planning in the Age of AI with Lori Cohen - 384
In this episode, I chat with Lori Cohen, education consultant, coach, and author of The Science of Lesson Planning, about what the science of lesson planning looks like in the age of AI. You'll also hear her human first, human last approach to using AI as a planning companion, where AI falls…
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How to Build a Back-to-School Writing Routine Students Love - Bonus Episode with WeWillWrite
In this episode, I chat with Erlend Klouman Høiner, a former teacher and co-founder of WeWillWrite, and Bonnie Watson, a fourth grade language arts teacher, about making back-to-school writing something students beg to do. You'll also hear how short, live writing sessions put every student on…
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One of My Favorite Ways to Introduce AI Images - 383
In this episode, I share one of my favorite ways to introduce AI images with a quick "guess the prompt" activity I've used with thousands of educators in workshops and webinars. You'll also hear an excerpt from the second edition of EdTech Essentials on three reasons to try AI images (replacing a...
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Practical Ways to Increase Father Engagement at Your School with Dr. Deborah Higdon and Dr. Chacko Abraham - 382
In this episode, I chat with Dr. Deborah Higdon and Dr. Chacko Abraham about father engagement and how schools can intentionally engage fathers to build stronger school communities. You'll also hear no-cost, hit-the-ground-running strategies from their new book, The Dad Difference, including the...
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Using AI in the Reading Classroom (Or Anytime Students Are Reading)- 381
In this episode, I share practical ways to use AI to support student readers across content areas and in the reading classroom, from creating audio companions to designing interactive reading activities. You'll also hear how tools like AI-powered podcasts, text-to-speech, quizzes, visuals, and...
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What is Vibe Coding? A Quick Intro and 5 Ideas for Educators - 380
In this episode, I share a quick introduction to vibe coding and five websites I recently built with the help of AI. You'll also hear how I used Claude, Gemini, and Google Sites to turn simple ideas into working tools without traditional coding skills. If you want to try vibe coding and create a...
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Mixing and Matching EdTech Tools for Student Projects with Heidi Samuelson - 379
In this episode, I chat with Heidi Samuelson, instructional technology coach for two elementary schools in Tennessee, about how to mix and match EdTech tools for stronger, more intentional student projects. You'll also hear a step-by-step breakdown of a multi-app project using, plus practical...
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How AI Can Create Instructional Coherence for Districts - Bonus Episode with Renaissance
In this episode, I chat with Dr. Gene Kerns, Chief Academic Officer at Renaissance, about instructional coherence and how AI can help connect the assessment, curriculum, and practice tools that too often live in separate places. You'll also hear why having more data isn't the same as having…
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AI Prompts for Families: 10 Easy Ways to Get Started - 378
In this episode, I share ten easy-to-use AI prompts for families to try for everyday activities, from planning day trips and creating bedtime stories to helping with homework and weekly meal planning. You'll also hear how to model responsible AI use with your kids and customize each prompt for...
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How AI Can Support Educator Wellness and Emotional Intelligence with Sheila Dokken - 377
In this episode, I chat with Sheila Dokken, Coordinator of Prevention and Safety for a large district in Minnesota, about how AI can support educator wellness and emotional intelligence instead of just adding more to an already full plate. You'll also hear about her PRISM framework for moving…
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How to Host a Virtual Book Study That Teachers Actually Love- 376
In this episode, I share practical tips for hosting a virtual book study that feels supportive, focused, and doable for busy educators. You'll also hear strategies for choosing a clear purpose, setting flexible expectations, and keeping momentum going with warm-ups, discussion prompts, and…
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Coaching Strategies for AI Conversations with Educators with Melinda Glowacki - 375
In this episode, I chat with Melinda Glowacki, a supervisor at the UCI School of Education, about leading meaningful coaching discussions with educators around AI integration. You'll also hear her approach to drafting AI guidance that centers critical thinking over compliance, plus a powerful...
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4 Chatbot Strategies for Teachers Who Want Better Results from AI - 374
In this episode, I share four chatbot strategies for teachers to go beyond basic prompts and get more meaningful results. You'll also hear how to assign a role, refine responses through conversation, use the "ask me questions" technique, and transform existing materials with file uploads. If you...
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My Favorite Quick Google Slides Tips - 373
In this episode, I share my favorite Google Slides for teachers tips, from customizing layouts to creating interactive lessons. You'll also hear tips on using speaker notes, hyperlinking images, and designing collaborative projects to enhance student engagement. If you want to make the most of…
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AI in Special Education: Student Voices, Real Stories, and Practical Strategies with Dr. Gina Tesoriero - 372
In this episode, I chat with Dr. Gina Tesoriero, a researcher and former middle school special education teacher, about how AI tools like ChatGPT can serve as powerful supports for students with disabilities and neurodiverse learners. You'll also hear findings from her dissertation research on…
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Quick Strategies for Making Classroom Infographics with AI -371
In this episode, I share how to use AI tools to quickly create classroom infographics that make complex information easier for students to understand. You'll also hear about specific tools, practical prompt examples, and tips for designing visuals that align with your students' needs. If you want...
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9 EdTech Activities to Celebrate the First Day of Summer - 370
In this episode, I share fun and engaging first day of summer activities for classroom celebrations, from interactive music activities to AI-generated designs. You'll also hear creative ideas like virtual summer trips, student goal-setting with digital tools, and storytelling with emojis. If you...
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Teaching Across Time Zones: Tips for Connecting Classrooms - Bonus Episode with OneSchool Global
In this episode, I chat with Charlie Huynh, Director of Teaching and Learning for OneSchool Global's North American region, about building a Learning to Learn framework that helps students take full accountability for their own learning. You'll also hear how extended learning programs like the...
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Supporting New Teachers: Classroom Management and Tech Tips with Suzanne Dailey and Robert Dunlop - 369
In this episode, I welcome back Suzanne Dailey, instructional coach, and introduce Robert Dunlop, middle school classroom teacher—coauthors of You've Got This: Finding Happiness and Success in Your First Years of Teaching. You'll hear practical strategies for supporting new teachers through...
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Art, Technology, and Student Voice in the Classroom with Tim Needles - Bonus Episode with Jotform
In this episode, I welcome back Tim Needles, STEAM teacher, K–12 Technology Integration Specialist, and ISTE author, to explore the intersection of art, technology and student voice in the classroom. You'll also hear why concepts should drive tool selection, how digital tools democratize...
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Quick Ways to Use AI for Tasks That Take Too Long - 368
In this episode, I share how AI can help teachers tackle time-consuming tasks and reclaim valuable time during the school day. You'll also hear practical examples for using AI to format materials, draft lesson plans, and organize resources more efficiently. If you want to save time while staying...
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Supporting the Whole Child in a Tech-Heavy World with Dr. Chaunté Garrett - Bonus Episode with Jotform
In this episode, I welcome back Dr. Chaunté Garrett, CEO and Founder of Empowering Learners and Leaders to Excel, to discuss supporting the whole child through academic, social, and physical safety in a tech-heavy world. You'll also hear practical insights on choosing technology intentionally,...
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How to Prepare Young Students for an AI World with Dr. Nneka McGee - 367
In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Nneka McGee, strategic advisor and AI education expert, to explore how we can prepare young learners for an AI world through developmentally appropriate, unplugged learning experiences. You'll also hear practical examples and simple conversation-based activities...
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What Makes an Educator Community Thrive with Elana Leoni - Bonus Episode with Jotform
In this episode, I'm joined by Elana Leoni, founder of Leoni Consulting Group and host of the All Things Marketing and Education podcast, to explore what makes an educator community truly thrive. You'll also hear why trust, co-creation, and member ownership matter more than platforms, and how...
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5 NotebookLM Features That Might Change How You Teach - 366
In this episode, I share five creative ways to use NotebookLM for teachers to go beyond basic Q&A and enhance lesson prep. You'll also hear real-world examples of using audio debates, slide decks, infographics, data tables, and cinematic videos in the classroom. Tune in for actionable ideas to...
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Rethinking Professional Development in the Age of AI with Allison Rodman - Bonus Episode with Jotform
In this episode, I welcome back Allison Rodman, educator, founder of The Learning Loop, and ASCD author, for rethinking professional development in the age of AI and moving beyond one-size-fits-all PD. You'll also hear how AI can support more personalized, high-impact professional learning…
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What Teachers Should Know About AI and News Literacy with Dr. Cathy Collins - 365
In this episode, I chat with Dr. Cathy Collins, library media specialist and author of Teaching News Literacy in the Age of AI, about helping students navigate today's information landscape. You'll also hear practical five-minute verification routines, hands-on activities for spotting…
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Practical Examples of AI in Education With Caroline Haebig - Bonus Episode with Jotform
In this episode, I welcome back Caroline Haebig, ISTE author and Coordinator of Teaching and Learning, for a chat about practical and responsible examples of AI in education that support teachers and students. You'll also hear concrete classroom use cases, guidance on acceptable AI use, and...
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Drafting with a Digital Partner: Faster Feedback for Students - 364
In this episode, I share how teachers can use AI tools as digital drafting partners to provide faster feedback for students. You'll also hear practical prompt examples and strategies for creating consistent, skill-aligned comments and quick formative assessments. If you want to streamline your...
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What's Working, What's Not, and Where AI is Heading with Heather Turbeville - Bonus Episode with Jotform
In this episode, I'm joined by Heather Turbeville, education-focused team member at Jotform, to unpack what's working, what's not, and where AI is headed in education based on new EdTech trends data. You'll also hear insights on how educators are using AI for productivity, why tool integration...
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Digital Storytelling to Boost Student Literacy Skills with Chayanee Brooks - 363
In this episode, I chat with language arts and journalism teacher Chayanee Brooks about using digital storytelling to strengthen student literacy skills and transform students into active creators. You'll also hear about how to utilize accessible digital tools like smartphones and iMovie, how to...
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Emerging AI Trends in Education for 2026 with Julie Willcott - Bonus Episode with Jotform
In this episode, I sit down with Julie Willcott, STEM/AI Education Specialist, to unpack the most important emerging AI trends in education for 2026 and what educators should keep on their radar. You'll also hear what's shifting beyond classroom lessons—like how AI is reshaping teacher...
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Spring Decorations with a Techy Twist - 362
In this episode, I share creative ways to bring spring into your classroom decor while integrating EdTech tools for interactive learning experiences. You'll also hear ideas for using AI-generated images, QR codes, and student-created videos to make bulletin boards and displays more engaging. If…
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Play-Based Learning in Today's Classrooms with Dr. Robert Dillon - Bonus Episode with Jotform
In this episode, I chat with Dr. Robert Dillon, educator and author, about what play-based learning really looks like and why curiosity, exploration, and playful energy matter at every grade level. You'll also hear concrete examples of how learning environments, reflection, and guided play can...
About this show
Monica Burns from the popular EdTech blog ClassTechTips brings you teaching strategies, tips and activity ideas. Each podcast focuses on how to make EdTech integration easy with a shout out to favorite EdTech tools for classrooms. Monica provides actionable, relevant tips for teachers so you can make this school year the best one yet! Join author, speaker, and blogger, Dr. Monica Burns for an EdTech podcast that helps take the stress out of integrating education technology into your classroom.
Hosted by
Monica Burns