Edtech Throwdown

Eric Guise/Nick Johnson

The Edtech Throwdown podcast (originally GotTechED the Podcast) was created in 2018 by Nick Johnson and Eric Guise with one, singular goal: to provide quality, tech-centric professional development (PD) to busy teachers on the move. As educators who have always been passionate about PD, Nick and Guise have attended and created hundreds of hours of professional learning experiences for teachers, but there has always been one problem ... time! Attending full-day workshops and conferences is difficult and stressful due to missed class time and added prep. With the Edtech Thowdown, Nick and Guise hope to provide busy teachers a way to access educational PD at their convenience.

  1. 8 SEPT.

    10 Low-Tech Ways to Refocus Students

    Edtech Throwdown Episode 197: 10 Low-Tech Ways to Refocus StudentsWelcome to the EdTech Throwdown. This is Episode 197 called 10 Low-Tech Ways to Refocus Students. In this episode, we will talk about 10 low-tech or no-tech ideas for brain breaks, mindful moments, whatever you call them, you’ll learn some cool ways to refocus students in your classroom. This is another episode you don’t want to miss, check it out. Segment 1: School Opening Our school opening PD days focused on the importance of getting kids off screens. Funny because I’ve been hearing students for years say they still prefer pieces of paper for many things in class and that they get tired of looking at their tiny chromebook screen. This also makes sense because there are strong links to learning and handwriting. Also, have you ever tried staring at a screen for your job all day? It’s not fun. In that spirit, we collected some ideas for brain breaks / mindful moments, with a focus on low tech or no tech solutions. Segment 2: Low Tech or No Tech Brain Breaks Bingo Bongo Splat You write down a secret number on a piece of paper so you don’t forget it yourself. Can be as many digits as you want. Students take turns guessing the number. As they make a guess, you record it for all of them to see, along with the word, bingo, bongo, or splat. Check out the Tik Tok video from LifeofSteph on this Bingo=1 digit in the right place Bongo=1 digit but in the wrong place Splat=nothing matches Reverse Simon Says Same rules as Simon Says—but if you don’t hear “Simon says,” you should do the action. Flips their brains into focus mode. Slow Reveal Graphs Series of images of graphs, beginning with almost no labels or information, then slowly adding more. Students share out what they think the graph is about. Their responses get more detailed and specific with each new reveal. Teaches graph skills and is fun! Bandle Phone App Wordle Remember that craze! It’s still around. Play the real NYT version or make your own at flippty Which doesn’t belong? 4 images are shown and students must argue for which one doesn’t belong. There should be a possible reason that could be argued for each image. Start with a dessert example (chocolate layer cake, choco chip cookies, berry pie, ice cream), and then make one that fits your content. Close by having students design one. Extend this by having them present it. Story Tag One student starts a silly story with one sentence, and it goes around the room quickly. Each adds just one sentence—short and energizing. Another option: You will tell a story one word at a time. Ideally you’re in a circle on arranged in a way that’s clear which order you’ll go in. The first student starts with one word (One), then the next student comes up with another word (morning), then the next student continues (a)… Another option: You will tell a story using only questions. Ideally you’re in a circle on arranged in a way that’s clear which order you’ll go in.  The first student starts: “Where did the dog go?”  The next continues with: “I’m not sure, should we go look for him?” The next continues with: “Do you know where his leash is?” Upside-Down Artist Students have 30 seconds to doodle...

    36 min
  2. 28 JUIL.

    Rethinking Research: Teaching Inquiry and Integrity in the Age of AI

    Edtech ThrowdownEpisode 195: Rethinking Research: Teaching Inquiry and Integrity in the Age of AI Welcome to the EdTech Throwdown.  This is Episode 195 called Rethinking Research: Teaching Inquiry and Integrity in the Age of AI.  In this episode, we will explore how the role of a teacher must change now that AI is becoming integrated in all aspects of our lives.  Specifically, we’ll share 8 changes you can make to your classroom and assignments that will help encourage students to think creatively and critically in an age where it’s more important than ever.  This is another episode you don’t want to miss, check it out. Segment 1: As my students completed their final projects, I started noticing something this year … all their work was very technically sound and met my project expectations almost perfectly.  Was it too perfect? Specific example:  One of the elements of my rubric references a creative title.  Usually everyone does “Chemistry of __”, but this year, they were all things like “9 Volts, 2 Electrodes, 1 Reaction: The Chemistry Behind the Charge and the Connection”.  So what suddenly happened this year for me to get such great titles? Also - When students came to me with questions about content, like the girl who needed help understanding the chemistry of Na/K pumps in cells, I found myself going to ChatGPT for the fastest resolution.  Clearly they are doing the same. Two questions arose: Is this research?Is this type of research good or bad? Segment 2: Student Research in the Age of AI 1. Redefine Research as Inquiry, Not Just Information Gathering AI makes facts and summaries instantly accessible, so teachers should shift the focus from finding information to asking meaningful questions. Students should be taught that good research begins with curiosity and that AI is just one of many tools in that process. Teacher Tip: Require students to submit a “research question development log” showing how their question evolved through discussion, feedback, and exploration. 2. Teach AI Literacy as Part of Research Instruction Students need to understand how AI tools work, their limitations, and the potential for bias or misinformation. This helps them critically evaluate what AI produces instead of blindly trusting it. Teacher Tip: Have students compare AI-generated content with academic sources and reflect on differences in depth, credibility, and tone. 3. Require Research Process Documentation Rather...

    40 min
  3. 16 JUIN

    Awesome Edtech for the Summer

    Edtech Throwdown Episode 192: Awesome Edtech for the Summer Welcome to the EdTech Throwdown.  This is Episode 192 called Awesome Edtech for the Summer.  Every year when school ends we publish an episode where Guise and I share what we’ll be reading, listening to, and exploring over the summer break. 192 is that episode and this is another you don’t want to miss, check it out. Segment 1: Summer Plans Summer plans Segment 2: Resources for the Summer Nick Podcasts Science Vs:  here are a lot of fads, blogs and strong opinions, but then there’s SCIENCE. Science Vs is the show from Spotify Studios that finds out what’s fact, what’s not, and what’s somewhere in between. We do the hard work of sifting through all the science so you don't have to and cover everything from 5G and ADHD, to Fluoride and Fasting Diets.Mr. Barton Maths:  How do you make a podcast about math? By coming at it from a human-first perspective and examining why so many students (and teachers) have an instinctual adverse reaction to the subject. Host Craig Barton is a former math educator and founder of diagnostic educational software company Eedi, so he has a fair bit of personal experience in the subject matter. U.S. listeners should note that Barton is based in the U.K.; while some of the references to the British education system may not resonate, the sentiment behind the content certainly will. Books Everything is Tuberculosis by John GreeneTeachers and Machines: The Classroom of Technology Since 1920 Grab Bag Fully explore Canva Code.  What is it good at, what is it not.Nanolearning Unit Development:  This is a good website that covers the differences between nano and micro and how to do implement them Guise Podcasts  Steph and Joe on the Go span...

    39 min
  4. 2 JUIN

    10 Canva Code Ideas for Teachers

    Edtech Throwdown Episode 191: 10 Canva Code Ideas for Teachers Welcome to the EdTech Throwdown.  This is Episode 191 called 10 Canva Code Ideas for Teachers.  In this episode we’ll introduce, explain and analyze one of the features in Canva AI called Canva Code.  We’ll also share 10 ways that teachers can use it to help spark your creativity when it comes to this exciting new feature.  This is another episode you don’t want to miss, check it out. Segment 1: Intro to Canva Code What is it?  Canva’s AI writes code for you to create specific games/apps/simulations/etc that function in Canva.  When you’ve got the code just right by prompting and then adjusting with other prompts, you can publish it as a Canva website for easy sharing. What do you do with the code?  The code produced can be copy-pasted to other places OR just published directly in Canva as a Canva website. Downsides:  Initial teacher response is often “why do i need to write code”?It can take some time to get the code right to produce what you wantDoes it exist somewhere else?  For example, why make a quizzes app in Canva?The prompt has a character limit, so you’ll have to adjust it as you go.  For example, start with a prompt that describes only the function of the app.  Then adjust it afterwards related to design.  Then again for differentiation, etc. Why Use it: (what makes it worth the time) TREMENDOUS capability for teachers to make things that don’t exist anywhere else onlineCan ask it to add specific differentiations into any game/app created for whatever students you haveSkip labor intensive prep for physical games Segment 2: Canva Code Ideas for Teachers Nicks 5 Interactive Periodic TableVirtual Lab about Color Theory (Art Lesson)Geometry Shape ExplorerInteractive Poem CreatorInteractive Classroom Timer Guises’ 5 Interactive WorksheetsEscape Room PuzzlesLeaderboardsClassroom...

    45 min
  5. 19 MAI

    Stump the Edtech Guru

    Edtech ThrowdownEpisode 190: Stump the Edtech Guru Welcome to the EdTech Throwdown.  This is Episode 190 called Stump the Edtech Guru.  In this episode, we’ll try and stump each other with some of the toughest edtech challenges we could think of.  Each guru will have to come up with a solution on the spot.   This is another episode you don’t want to miss, check it out. Segment 1: Friendly Competition We compete with everything Segment 2: Stump the Edtech Guru Nick’s Scenarios: Scenario 1: The AI Essay Epidemic.  Ms. Rivera teaches 10th grade English and has just assigned a personal narrative essay. As she begins grading, she notices several essays that seem... off. They're grammatically perfect, lack any personal voice, and a few students even use similar turns of phrase.  The students cited AI use, and even included a link to a specific conversation in a tool called Perplexity.  When examining the link however, it only shows the student asking questions about the topic.  In other words, there is no evidence of having the AI do the writing, at least not in this particular chat.  The student denies any AI use other than what was cited.  What should she do?PerplexityGoogle DocsAi Works CitedScenario 2:The Silent Discussion Board.  Mr. Chen is running a blended learning environment for his 8th grade social studies class. He’s trying to build engagement with online discussion boards through Google Classroom and Flip. He posts thoughtful prompts, but most students either don’t respond, copy each other, or leave low-effort replies like ‘I agree.’ He knows these kids have opinions—they just don’t seem to bring them into the digital space. Mr. Chen is wondering: is it the prompt? The platform? The digital culture? Or is this just a lost cause?Padlet SandboxMEAL PlanCERCANVAScenario 3: Mrs. Daughtry is a veteran science teacher who’s always been open to new ideas. But lately, her school has adopted a slew of new edtech platforms: a new LMS, AI feedback tools, quiz generators, and now a parent communication app—all with different logins, layouts, and learning curves. She claims to receive “multiple emails per week” from various admins and coaches touting EVEN MORE options for...

    59 min

À propos

The Edtech Throwdown podcast (originally GotTechED the Podcast) was created in 2018 by Nick Johnson and Eric Guise with one, singular goal: to provide quality, tech-centric professional development (PD) to busy teachers on the move. As educators who have always been passionate about PD, Nick and Guise have attended and created hundreds of hours of professional learning experiences for teachers, but there has always been one problem ... time! Attending full-day workshops and conferences is difficult and stressful due to missed class time and added prep. With the Edtech Thowdown, Nick and Guise hope to provide busy teachers a way to access educational PD at their convenience.

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