Tech It Up a Notch

Rachael and Clare

Tech it Up a Notch is the podcast for Australian teachers ready to bring educational technology into their classrooms. Each episode is packed with practical tips on using digital tools that you can apply the very next day, week, or term. We’ll show you how to boost student engagement, integrate STEM tools and stay aligned with syllabus requirements, all while supporting your professional learning. Join Rachael and Clare to explore effective ways to make edtech work for your teaching and learning.

  1. 2 days ago

    Let Learning Take Flight with Drones

    In this episode, we’re taking coding off the screen and into the air! Rach shares how she used DroneBlocks and Tello drones as part of a cross-curricular STEM project exploring the sustainability of a local river. Key Takeaways DroneBlocks is a great place to begin with a whole-class drone experience, allowing students to practise coding and test flight paths in a simulator before moving to physical drones.Tello drones can bring coding to life by allowing students to see their algorithms control a real-world device.Plan for technology to be temperamental! Battery life, connectivity and equipment faults can have a big impact, so having technical support and backup activities is valuable.Create a clearly defined flying zone and establish safety routines before launching the drones, including goggles, tied-back hair and keeping students behind a designated boundary.You don't need a drone for every student. Small groups or rotating activities can provide opportunities to code and fly without having a whole class of drones in the air at once.Drones offer rich cross-curricular opportunities, connecting digital technologies with science, mathematics, engineering, geography, design thinking and creative arts.Be prepared to experiment alongside your students. You don't need to have everything worked out before giving a new technology a go — sometimes the unexpected learning is the best part.Resources mentioned DroneBlocksDroneblocks FREE ‘Crazyflie Simulator (follow the link to grab the pin - top tip, write it on your board for the month and leave it there!) Tello drones

    Let Learning Take Flight with Drones

  2. 8 Aug

    Putting the 'I' Back in AI: Smart Report Banks with Gemini & Sites

    Writing reports is one of the biggest time commitments in a teacher's year, but what if AI could help without replacing your professional voice? In this episode, Claire shares how she used Gemini Canvas to build a custom report comment generator using her own bank of previously approved report comments. Rather than asking AI to write reports from scratch, she demonstrates how teachers can use AI to organise and streamline their existing expertise while preserving their authentic teacher voice. Key takeaway AI works best as an assistant, not an author. By building tools around your own resources and expertise, you can save time while ensuring your professional judgement and teacher voice remain at the heart of student reports. Resources mentioned Clare’s how to guide to creating a report comment assistant Google Gemini CanvasGoogle SitesCanva Create Apple Learning Summit

    Putting the 'I' Back in AI: Smart Report Banks with Gemini & Sites

  3. 6 July

    Insights from EduTECH Australia 2026

    Join us as we recap our time at EduTECH 2026. After two inspiring days exploring the latest in education technology, we're sharing the tools, ideas, and standout moments that caught our attention. Key Speakers Andy HargreavesJason ReynoldsDanny Liu / Castlereagh StatementClare Willemse Professional learning CSER Digital Technologies EducationAustralian Library and Information Association Schools EdTech Tools ALTO (The Great Times Table Race) Handwriting Bot Sphero Kahoot!CEChatBehind the NewsClickViewRedbubbleSeesawCanvaPadletGoogle WorkspaceGoogle for EducationGeminiCreators Teach Tech Lead Podcast Term Talk Podcast Unteachables Podcast Kirawee Public School Podcast Mrs Priestly ICT

    Insights from EduTECH Australia 2026

  4. 28 May

    Tried and Tested iPad Apps for Young Learners

    In this episode of Tech It Up a Notch, Rachael and Clare share some of their favourite iPad apps for infants classrooms. From creativity and coding to storytelling and literacy skills, these apps help teachers use technology intentionally to support learning, engagement, and accessibility. Whether you’re brand new to classroom iPads or looking for fresh ideas, these are practical, classroom tested tools you can start exploring with confidence. ABC Kids Listen A fantastic free audio app from the ABC packed with podcasts, music, stories, mindfulness tracks, nature sounds, and educational content for children. Great for English audio texts, calming transitions, listening tasks, and sparking new learning. rED Writing A handwriting app designed to help students practise letter formation through tracing activities and guided feedback. Teachers and parents can choose Australian fonts and handwriting styles. Book Creator An easy-to-use digital publishing app where students can create their own books using text, drawings, photos, audio recordings, and video. ScratchJr A beginner coding app designed specifically for younger learners. Students use visual block coding to create animations, games, and stories. Freeform Apple’s built-in collaborative whiteboard app that allows students to draw, brainstorm, annotate images, create mind maps, and visually organise ideas. Honourable Mention: Play School Art Maker A creative app inspired by Play School that allows young learners to create artwork, scenes, and visual stories. Teachers Choice: Explain Everything A powerful, interactive teaching and note taking app that allows teachers and students to record lessons, annotate slides, demonstrate thinking and create engaging content.

    Tried and Tested iPad Apps for Young Learners

  5. 3 May

    Rethinking Devices for Learning with Apple Neo + Classroom

    Drawing on feedback from an early adopter, Rach and Clare explore the new Apple Neo and how it sits between an iPad and a traditional laptop for school use. They unpack what makes it a strong classroom option, from battery life and performance to affordability and integration within the Apple and wider ecosystems. The conversation also highlights how tools like Apple Classroom can elevate teaching and learning by giving teachers greater visibility and control over student devices. If you, your school or child is considering a new device this episode offers practical insights. Key Takeaways Apple Neo sits between an iPad and MacBook in both price and functionality, making it a viable BYOD option. Education pricing makes Apple devices more accessible for schools, teachers, and familiesThe Neo is not locked in to particular software, making accessing Microsoft or Google tools possiblePerformance is significantly improved compared to older, low-spec laptops, especially for everyday school tasksSome limitations possibly for high-performance tasks (e.g. video editing) and camera useApple Classroom is a free tool that allows teachers to monitor and manage student devices in real timeApple Classroom is powerful but often underutilised, so worth exploring if you’re in an Apple environment. Resources Apple Education PricingApple Neo Apple ClassroomApple School Manager

    Rethinking Devices for Learning with Apple Neo + Classroom

  6. 18 Apr

    Low-Prep Programming with Hour of Code

    Drawing on real classroom experience, Rach and Clare explore how Code.org can introduce coding in a simple, engaging way without overwhelming teachers or students. From the popular Hour of Code activities like Dance Party and Minecraft to unplugged lessons and AI-integrated tasks, this episode is packed with practical ideas to build computational thinking and confidence. Key Takeaways Hour of Code offers free, browser-based coding activities that work across devices with no login requiredBlock-based coding makes it accessible for primary students and beginnersActivities are highly engaging, using themes like Minecraft, Dance Party and AI for OceansBuilt-in supports like hints and debugging help students problem-solve independentlyTeachers can extend use through a dashboard to assign and track progressResources now include lesson plans, slide decks and curriculum linksUnplugged activities provide tech-free ways to teach coding conceptsStrong differentiation through self-paced levels and increasing complexityBest used as a starter, supplement, or engagement tool rather than a full unit of workIdeal as a low-prep lesson, especially for casual teaching or end-of-term activitiesResources Hour of Code (via Code.org)AI for Oceans Dance Party coding Minecraft Hour of Code

    Low-Prep Programming with Hour of Code

  7. 8 Apr

    Turning Resources into Results with Notebook LM

    This week Rachael and Clare explore how NotebookLM can act as a personalised research assistant for teachers. They unpack how it can streamline planning, simplify complex syllabus navigation, and generate study materials from trusted sources. From creating quizzes and summaries to producing podcasts, mind maps, and slide decks, this episode is packed with practical ideas perfect for reducing workload at any time of year. Key Takeaways Notebook LM uses a “walled garden” approach, meaning it only generates responses from the sources you uploadTeachers can upload syllabus documents, policies, and resources to quickly find and summarise key informationBuilt-in tools can generate quizzes, flashcards, mind maps, and study guides in secondsAudio overviews allow content to be turned into podcast-style summaries, supporting flexible learningQuality of output depends on the quality of sources and promptingParticularly powerful for senior students as a study and revision toolEncourages AI literacy by citing sources and promoting verificationBest used to enhance learning, not replace critical thinking or core teaching practicesCan significantly reduce teacher workload, especially for admin and resource creationResources NotebookLMNotebookLM Help site Google GeminiChatGPTAustralian Framework for Generative Artificial Intelligence in Schools (Australian Government Department of Education)Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (AITSL)

    Turning Resources into Results with Notebook LM

  8. 1 Mar

    Making Learning Visible with Seesaw

    In part two of our discussion on Seesaw we explore how to get started without overwhelm, real examples of how Seesaw can be used across learning areas, and how it can function as a powerful formative assessment tool. We also share our honest reflections, what works brilliantly, what becomes tricky, and what to consider before rolling it out school wide. If you’ve been wondering how to move to embedded classroom practice with Seesaw, this episode is for you. Key Takeaways Despite the difference in timezones, the Seesaw help team is very responsive to requests for help.Start small. Introducing Seesaw with one clear routine or learning task builds confidence for both teachers and students.Explicit modelling is essential; students need to be taught how to create quality multimodal responses.Seesaw supports all types of assessment through ongoing evidence collection and student reflection.Feedback workflows can be streamlined when expectations and processes are clearly defined.Consistency across teams or stages improves parent understanding and reduces confusion.Clear boundaries around notifications and communication help prevent teacher overwhelm.Successful implementation requires intentional planning, not just access to the tool.Resources Seesaw Homepage: https://web.seesaw.me/Seesaw Training & Professional Learning: https://web.seesaw.me/training

    Making Learning Visible with Seesaw
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Tech it Up a Notch is the podcast for Australian teachers ready to bring educational technology into their classrooms. Each episode is packed with practical tips on using digital tools that you can apply the very next day, week, or term. We’ll show you how to boost student engagement, integrate STEM tools and stay aligned with syllabus requirements, all while supporting your professional learning. Join Rachael and Clare to explore effective ways to make edtech work for your teaching and learning.

Information

  • Creator
    Rachael and Clare
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    26
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Rachael Usher and Clare Willemse 2024
  • Show Website
    Tech It Up a Notch

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