Make EdTech 100 with LindyHoc

Lindy Hockenbary
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Technology in education shouldn’t feel overwhelming, confusing, or disconnected from what actually works in classrooms. This show keeps it real. Each week, educator and K–12 EdTech Advisor Lindy Hockenbary shares practical strategies, stories from real teachers, and no-nonsense conversations about how to use tech in ways that feel human, joyful, and grounded in learning. Whether you’re a teacher, a school leader, or an EdTech product builder, this show helps you Make EdTech 100 — real, relevant, and rooted in what matters most: kids.

  1. 18m ago

    You Can't Ban Possibility with Dr. Stacy Hawthorne

    Dr. Stacy Hawthorne shares stories from districts across the country proving that when technology starts with a learning problem instead of a device, students don't just use tech, they lead with it. Lindy and Stacy also dig into data privacy agreements, the dangers of BYOD, cellphone ban unintended consequences, and the one question every teacher should ask before bringing a new tool into their classroom. About Dr. Hawthorne:  Dr. Stacy Hawthorne, Executive Director at the EdTech Leaders Alliance and CAO at Learn21, has a distinguished career in educational technology. Stacy serves as the Chair of the CoSN Board of Directors. She led the Davidson Academy Online as Director of Online Learning, and has consulted for digital learning program development across the U.S. Stacy holds a Doctorate in Educational Technology, Master's in Educational Administration, and a Bachelor's in Business Administration. She possesses CETL and CCRE certifications and holds teaching and administration licenses in Nevada. Stacy is an active member of several CoSN committees, an ISTE Community Leader, 2024 ISTE 20 to Watch awardee, and serves on several editorial and advisory boards related to digital learning. Connect with Stacy: Linkedin.com/my/stacyhaw Resources from this episode: Contribute a story: bit.ly/edtechforgood Tool evaluation rubric: https://etla.tools/etla-tool-evaluation The EdTech Leaders Alliance: https://www.edtechleadersalliance.org/ The EdTech Leaders Alliance tools: https://etla.tools/  Student Data Privacy Consortium: https://privacy.a4l.org/  SETTING CONDITIONS FOR SUCCESS: Guidelines for Responsible Use of Technology for Schools from CoSn: https://www.cosn.org/tools-and-resources/resource/setting-conditions-for-success-guidelines-for-responsible-use-of-technology-for-schools/

    1h 13m

  2. Jun 2

    It's Not About Screen Time, It's About Screen Value with Debbie Tannenbaum

    What if the screen time debate is asking the wrong question? Lindy sits down with Debbie Tannenbaum, school-based technology specialist at Saratoga Elementary in Fairfax County, VA, to talk about what meaningful tech use actually looks like in elementary classrooms.  Debbie shares how she's using AI to help teachers do UDL audits, support multilingual learners, and create accessible lessons for students with autism. She also introduces her Five C's framework for evaluating tech use and gives teachers a clear first step for moving from passive consumption to powerful creation. More about Debbie: Debbie Tannenbaum is an Elementary Tech Coach, educational consultant, and founder of Tannenbaum Tech LLC with over 26 years of teaching experience. A champion of inclusive innovation, she believes in Pedagogy First. Technology Second. — helping educators move beyond one-off tool adoption toward meaningful, equity-driven integration. Named one of ISTE's 2024 "20 to Watch" and recipient of the 2025 VATLL/VASCD Impact Award, Debbie is a Google for Education Innovator (#ATL26), ISTE Certified Educator, and ASCD Emerging Leader. She is also an Amplify Fellow and has an upcoming ISTE+ASCD publication. Connect with Debbie: https://www.tannenbaumtech.com/ @TannenbaumTech Tools discussed in the episode: https://www.adobe.com/education/express/ https://www.canva.com/education/ https://www.peardeck.com/ https://curipod.com/ https://nearpod.com/  https://www.wixie.com/ https://seesaw.com/  https://phet.colorado.edu/ https://bookcreator.com/ https://snorkl.app/ https://amplify.com/ Virtual manipulative blocks vibe coded in Canva: https://mrshoc.my.canva.site/virtual-manipulative-blocks

    1h 2m

  3. May 27

    What the Research Actually Says About EdTech with Adam Sparks

    The screen time debate is loud, emotional, and increasingly driving education policy. But what does the research actually say? Adam Sparks, former classroom teacher, Stanford-trained learning designer, and co-founder of the writing tool Short Answer, brings the receipts. In this episode, Lindy and Adam dig into why blanket screen time bans are a response to moral panic more than evidence, what John Hattie's meta-analyses actually tell us about technology in classrooms, and why lumping thousands of different tools under the label "EdTech" makes about as much sense as measuring the effect size of a chalkboard. They also get into how to evaluate EdTech efficacy, what a logic model is and why every school should be asking for one, and how Short Answer is rethinking writing instruction in the age of AI. Short Answer: https://myshortanswer.com/   Adam’s Substack: https://adamsparks.substack.com/  Connect with Adam: adam@myshortanswer.com Short Answers Portfolio of Efficacy: https://myshortanswer.com/our-approach/  Writing Instruction for the Age of AI Workshop: https://myshortanswer.com/professional-development/

    1h 11m

  4. May 20

    The Screen Time Debate Needs More Voices Like This: A Conversation with Dr. Michelle Eckler

    The national screen time debate is loud, but is it hearing from the right people? Dr. Michelle Eckler, Director of Instructional Technology for Stratford Public Schools in Connecticut, is exactly the kind of voice that needs to be in this conversation.  In this episode, Lindy and Michelle get into what it actually looks like to use technology well in K-12 classrooms: the difference between passive consumption and creative production, why one-to-one access is really about empowering teachers, and how purposeful 10-minute tech tasks beat an hour of digital curriculum on repeat. Meet our guest: Michelle E. Eckler, Ed.D., is the Director of Instructional Technology for Stratford Public Schools, leading districtwide instructional technology initiatives. Dr. Eckler is an ISTE Certified Educator, Trainer, and Instructional Leader, as well as a GfE Certified Trainer, Innovator, and GEG Leader. Her professional contributions earned her the ISTE 20 to Watch award and recognition as a Top 10 Director of Instructional Technology 2026.  As President of the Shelton SEPTA, she is a dedicated advocate for special education. Michelle lives in Connecticut with her husband and two sons. An avid reader, she enjoys family time and her annual reading challenge Resources: E-textiles and wearable technology blog post and infographic: https://www.lindyhoc.com/post/steam-up-your-makerspace-with-e-textiles-and-wearable-technology  Find Stratford Public School’s AI policy: https://www.stratfordk12.org/documents/board-of-education/policies/6000-instruction/24173987  From Forest to Shore - The Stratford Public Schools Podcast: https://www.stratfordk12.org/o/tech/page/podcast-links  Connect with Michelle:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmichelleeeckler/ https://www.instagram.com/drmeckleredu/ https://michelleeckler.com/

    1h 10m

  5. May 13

    We Can't Ban Our Way to Digital Literacy. We Have to Teach It.

    The TikTok comments came in fast. "It's too late." "That's on parents, not teachers." "Banning is the only answer." Lindy gets the frustration. But she strongly disagrees with the conclusion. Because when students walk out of our buildings and into a world saturated with technology — and they will — what did we do to prepare them? If the answer is "we took the devices away," we failed them. This episode is built around the one comment buried in all that noise: "Explicit teaching has a large place in education." Yes. That. Exactly that. Lindy makes the case for explicitly teaching healthy technology use — what it looks like in classrooms, why parents can't teach what they were never taught, why going fully analog isn't enough, and why the window to get this right is shorter than it's ever been. Part of the screen time series. Start with Episode 13 — "Not All Screen Time Is Created Equal" — if you haven't yet. Episode 13 Not All Screen Time is Created Equal: https://www.lindyhoc.com/post/13-not-all-screen-time-is-created-equal  ScreenPal webinar: https://screenpal.com/lindy-hockenbary-webinar

    1h 1m

  6. May 6

    Not All Screen Time Is Created Equal

    A kid creating a digital book for a real audience. A kid clicking through a digital worksheet. A kid doom-scrolling at 10pm. All three involve a screen, but they are not the same thing, and treating them like they are is leading to some really bad decisions for kids and classrooms. In this episode, LindyHoc breaks down why the screen time conversation is missing the point, what we should actually be talking about, and why the answer isn't banning devices. Book Creator: bookcreator.com Snorkl: snorkl.app Short Answer: myshortanswer.com Edtech is worth fighting for (1 of 2) by Adam Sparks: https://adamsparks.substack.com/p/edtech-is-worth-fighting-for-1-of

    28 min

  7. Apr 8

    Is AI Safe for Students? Part 2: It Depends on the Tool

    In Part 2 of this conversation, Lindy builds on the question every educator and parent is asking: Is AI actually safe for students? Using new research from Stanford University, she breaks down what we know so far. The big takeaway? AI isn’t inherently good or bad for learning. It all comes down to how the tool is designed and how it’s used. Lindy shares practical do’s and don’ts for both teachers and parents, including why guardrails matter, how “guide vs. give” changes learning outcomes, and what happens when students are dropped into AI without structure. She also tackles one of the biggest emerging concerns—AI companionship—and why avoiding the technology altogether isn’t the answer. Because the goal isn’t to avoid AI, it’s to raise humans who know how to use it well. Episode 9: Is AI Safe for Students Part 1 https://www.lindyhoc.com/post/9-is-ai-safe-for-students  Stanford AI Hub for Education — Understanding the Evidence Base for AI in K–12 Education: https://scale.stanford.edu/research-in-action/understanding-evidence-base-ai-k12-education    Blog post and infographic: https://www.lindyhoc.com/post/6-ai-teaching-tools-that-enhance-learning-and-keep-teachers-in-control  SchoolAI Brisk Get three months of Brisk premium features!  NotebookLM

    58 min

  8. Apr 1

    Jack Churchill on Why Assistive Tech Isn’t Cheating—It’s Access

    In this episode, Lindy sits down with Jack Churchill—assistive technology leader, dyslexic learner, and yes, the great-grandson of Winston Churchill—to unpack one of education’s biggest misconceptions: that using support tools is somehow “cheating.” From scanning pens to AI-powered supports, they explore how accessibility tools remove barriers, not rigor. You’ll hear insights on supporting neurodivergent learners, and why access isn’t optional—it’s essential for learning Learn more about Scanning Pens at https://www.scanningpens.com/.  More about Jack:  Jack Churchill is Chair of the British Assistive Technology Association and Co-Founder of Scanning Pens. He established the assistive technology company Scanning Pens 20 years ago because he’s passionate about technology being a great enabler. Being dyslexic himself, Jack is determined to help young people & adults with reading difficulties reach their potential. Scanning Pens BETT Award winning C-Pen Reader is used in classrooms around the world.  In recent years Scanning Pens has won a number of prominent awards including BETT Company of the Year 2020 & the Queen's Award for Enterprise 2021 for International Trade.  Jack is a UK Trade Export Champ and was recognised with an OBE medal from HRH the Prince of Wales in 2024.

    46 min
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Ratings & Reviews

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About

Technology in education shouldn’t feel overwhelming, confusing, or disconnected from what actually works in classrooms. This show keeps it real. Each week, educator and K–12 EdTech Advisor Lindy Hockenbary shares practical strategies, stories from real teachers, and no-nonsense conversations about how to use tech in ways that feel human, joyful, and grounded in learning. Whether you’re a teacher, a school leader, or an EdTech product builder, this show helps you Make EdTech 100 — real, relevant, and rooted in what matters most: kids.

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