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. Planning, Brainstorming and Learning with Digital Whiteboards

    1 FEB

    Planning, Brainstorming and Learning with Digital Whiteboards

    In this episode of Tech It Up a Notch, Rach and Claire tackle the gap left behind by Google’s retirement of Jamboard. We explore three practical, free alternatives that Aussie teachers can use for brainstorming, planning and collaboration. Whether you use digital whiteboards with students or staff, this episode helps you choose a replacement that fits your context. The Three Alternatives We Review FigJam - The most seamless Jamboard replacement Google recommended Jamboard replacementCan import existing Jamboard filesSimple, familiar layoutLucid Spark - Best for structured, higher level planning Powerful collaborative whiteboard and diagramming toolExcellent tools for more complex whiteboardsStrong moderation tools (including guiding participants on the board)Canva Whiteboards - Our favourite all rounder Free with Canva for EducationVersatile templates, visuals, and easy sharingIdeal for brainstorming, inquiry planning, and professional learningResources FigJamLucid SparkCanva WhiteboardsGoogle SlidesGoogle Docs (Tabs feature)Pear DeckApple FreeformJamboard (retired Dec 2024)

    25 min
  2. Start Smart: Building a Digital Planner That Fits You

    8 JAN · BONUS

    Start Smart: Building a Digital Planner That Fits You

    Getting organised for a new school year looks different for every teacher. In this minisode, we explore how digital planners can support your workflow and which Clare and Rachael prefer. From Calendar and Slides based daily planners to colour-coded grade books in Sheets, we talk through practical, flexible ways to plan, adapt, and stay on top of the teaching load in 2026. We also share ready-made options for teachers who want a polished planner without building one from scratch. Key Takeaways Digital planners can replace, or enhance, traditional day books allowing easy collaboration and a lighter bag to carry ;)Slide decks work well as a daily or weekly visual planner for students and teachers, with links to lessons and resources.Spreadsheets are a powerful for grade books, using drop-downs, colour coding, and data validation.Collaboration is easier when planners and grade books live in shared platformsPaid Teacher sharing platforms often offer polished, low-cost digital planners you can adapt.The best planner is the one that fits your device, system, and professional needs.Resources Google Calendar – for time blocking, booking links, and lesson organisationGoogle Slides – for daily/weekly classroom planners and visual schedulesGoogle Sheets – for grade books, assessment tracking, and reporting supportTeachers Pay Teachers – digital planner templatesMrs Presley ICTTalkin ChalkCanva – digital planner templates and visual planning layouts

    11 min
  3. Start Smart: Digital Tools for Easy Classroom Displays

    8 JAN · BONUS

    Start Smart: Digital Tools for Easy Classroom Displays

    Welcome to the final minisode in the "Start Smart" series. Here we are chatting about one of the more subjective parts of starting a new school year: Classroom Displays. Whether you are a 'laminating queen' or more 'minimalist and clean', we’re sharing our favourite digital tools and ‘old school’ hacks to get your room ready to go. Key Takeaways Digital resource hubs provide easy access to themed lettering and visual timetables that support student routine and accessibility.Inclusive design is essential when decorating; ensure fonts are legible and color schemes are mindful of students or colleagues who may have varied needs. Curated decor bundles from online content creators offer polished, cohesive aesthetics that save teachers hours of design and formatting time.Student-centered displays, such as interactive door art builds a sense of belonging and ownership from the very first day of school.Featured Resources SparkleBox: Excellent for pre-made signs, themed lettering, classroom management posters, and visual timetables.Instant Display: A UK-based site perfect for themed alphabet sets Canva: The modern teacher’s best friend for DIY borders and custom lettering using their massive library of stock images.Teachers Pay Teachers (TpT): The go-to marketplace for ready-to-print bundles.Miss Jacobs Little Learners: Highly recommended for cohesive, beautiful classroom decor bundles

    13 min
  4. Start Smart: Smartwatches for Teachers – Small Tech, Big Support

    8 JAN · BONUS

    Start Smart: Smartwatches for Teachers – Small Tech, Big Support

    In this minisode, we explore how smartwatches can act as a quiet, practical assistant in the classroom. From discreet notifications to reminders, alarms, and multi-factor authentication, a smartwatch can help reduce mental load, support time management, and keep teachers focused on teaching. Key Takeaways Smartwatches allow for discreet notifications, helping teachers stay contactable without checking their phone in front of students.Voice assistants make it easy to set reminders and alarms on the go, supporting memory and organisation during busy school days.Timers and alarms are useful for lesson rotations, transitions, and medication reminders.Smartwatches can support multi-factor authentication, saving time when logging into school systems.Calendar-linked reminders and tasks help reduce the mental load of teaching.Additional features (health reminders, movement prompts, camera remote use) can support teacher wellbeing and workflow.As with any tech, it’s important to test settings outside the classroom before relying on them at school.

    9 min
  5. Start Smart: Taming Your Teacher Inbox

    8 JAN · BONUS

    Start Smart: Taming Your Teacher Inbox

    Get ready for the new school year with Tech it up a Notch. In this first minisode, Rach and Claire share practical, realistic strategies to help teachers reset their inbox and reduce email overwhelm before the new school year begins. From decluttering to mindset shifts and smarter email habits, this episode is all about starting the year fresh and in control, without spending hours sorting your messages. Key Points A clean inbox can be a powerful mental reset before the school year startsArchiving old emails is often more effective than trying to sort everythingLabels and tabs can dramatically reduce clutter once you have trained your inbox to sort for youKnowing which email tools are available helps maintain professional boundaries and supports the “right to disconnect”Turning off notifications allows you to control when you engage with emailResources Archive emails - Gmail Archive emails - Outlook Schedule Send - Gmail Schedule Send - Outlook Right to Disconnect - Fair Work Australia Notifications - Apple Notifications - Android Gmail - Priority inbox Templates in Gmail

    9 min
  6. Start Smart: The Productivity Trifecta - Google Docs, Calendar & Tasks

    8 JAN · BONUS

    Start Smart: The Productivity Trifecta - Google Docs, Calendar & Tasks

    This holiday minisode introduces the Productivity Trifecta, a powerful way to streamline your work using Docs, Calendar, and Tasks. If your school uses Google Workspace, this episode will walk you through simple but game changing features that help teachers stay organised, reduce mental load, and help teams follow tasks through from start to finish. Key Takeaways Using Shift + @ in Google Docs unlocks smart building blocks like meeting notes, decision logs, and email drafts.Meeting Notes automatically link to Calendar events, making them easy to find later.Tasks can be assigned directly from a Doc and sync across Google Tasks and Calendar.Assigned tasks update in real time and cross out in the document once completed.Smart chips make collaboration clearer by tagging people, dates, and files in context.Shared Docs can replace long email chains for planning, events, and programming.When collaborative tools are used together, they create a seamless workflow that saves time and reduces overwhelm.Resources Intro to Building Blocks Google Calendar Training and Help Google Tasks - training and Help Google Docs - Training and Help

    6 min
  7. Creating in the Classroom with Canva

    21/12/2025

    Creating in the Classroom with Canva

    Drawing on real classroom experience, Rach and Clare explore how Canva can streamline design tasks, reduce time spent policing image use and empower students to communicate their learning creatively. From posters and presentations to podcasting, video, green screen, and interactive projects, this episode is packed with ideas you can try straight away, especially as you’re setting up for a new school year. Key Takeaways Canva for Education provides free Pro-level access for teachers and students using a @edu emailCanva supports the creation of multimodal texts, making it ideal for English and other KLAsCanva enables student choice through video, audio, visual, and interactive formatsBuilt in copyright compliance makes it safer and easier for classroom useCollaboration features support group work but require clear expectationsCanva can be a powerful differentiation tool, particularly for students who struggle with handwriting or fine motor skills Resources Canva for EducationCanva Design School (Teacher Essentials & PD courses)Canva Tutorials & Help CentreLMS + Canva Integration Canva Accessibility & Design Tools

    36 min
  8. Got a Programming Itch? Scratch It!

    01/12/2025

    Got a Programming Itch? Scratch It!

    Dive into one of the best known coding tools in Australian classrooms: Scratch. In this conversation we unpack why Scratch continues to be a favourite, how to introduce it with confidence and give examples of how it can enhance learning across subjects. From block coding foundations to project ideas, hardware integrations and classroom management tips, this episode is packed with practical strategies to help teachers use Scratch as a tool for creativity, computational thinking and problem-solving. Key Takeaways Scratch is a free, block-based coding platform designed for ages 8–16 that lowers the barrier to entry for coding through visual, drag-and-drop blocks.Suitable for new learners and those who need extension. Its familiarity and longevity make it less intimidating for teachers who want a foolproof, supported way to introduce programming.Ensure students create accounts so they can save multi-lesson projects and avoid tears over lost work. Use Scratch’s class function to manage and support students access and projects. Encourage students to explore existing community projects and use the ‘See Inside’ feature to learn from other creators' code.In built tutorials help those who need step-by-step scaffolding.Resources Scratch Website Code.orgCode.org Dance Party Code.org Minecraft Tutorials Makey Makey Micro:bit Scratch Educator ResourcesExperience CS

    25 min
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Trailer

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
    17
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Rachael Usher and Clare Willemse 2024
  • Show Website
    Tech It Up a Notch