My EdTech Life How Mega Minds Brings Real-World CTE to Classrooms ft. Eric Tao & Austin Levinson | My EdTech Life 349
How Mega Minds Brings Real-World CTE to Classrooms ft. Eric Tao & Austin Levinson | My EdTech Life 349
In Episode 349 of My EdTech Life, Dr. Alfonso “Fonz” Mendoza sits down with Eric Tao, Founder & CEO of Mega Minds, and Austin Levinson, veteran educator and learning designer, to unpack how immersive AI-powered simulations are reshaping Career and Technical Education (CTE).
This conversation goes beyond AI hype. Eric and Austin explain why most AI tools in education focus on productivity instead of learning and how immersive environments can restore student engagement, agency, and real-world skill development.
We explore how Mega Minds uses AI characters, simulations, and 3D environments to help students practice CTE skills safely before entering real workplaces. From healthcare triage simulations to job interviews, retail scenarios, and construction environments, students are learning through experience, not worksheets.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Guest Introductions
02:30 Exploring MegaMinds: An Overview
04:49 The Role of Engagement in Education
07:03 The Future of EdTech and AI in Learning
10:39 Data-Driven Insights for Teachers
13:45 The Importance of Student Agency
18:10 Creating Safe Spaces for Learning
20:38 Real-World Applications of MegaMinds
27:46 CTE Lessons and Immersive Experiences
33:05 Experiential Learning in Healthcare Education
38:32 The Role of AI in Education
42:39 Understanding AI Bias Through Immersive Learning
48:38 AI Literacy and Its Importance in Education
53:43 Final Thoughts and Future Directions
Mega Minds Resources Mentioned in Episode
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