My EdTech Life

 AI in Schools: Strategy Over Shiny Tools with Kyler CheathamWhen it comes to AI in school districts, rushing in without a clear why can cost millions, crush teacher buy-in, and derail your entire tech strategy.In this episode of My EdTech Life, I sit down with Kyler Cheatham, a system architecture expert in AI and predictive analytics, to break down what districts are getting wrong and how to get it right.Kyler shares hard truths about AI adoption in K-12 and higher ed:Why CTOs must own their “I don’t knows”How to avoid the “move fast and break things” trapThe real cost of chasing buzzwords without solving actual problemsWhy 50% of your implementation team should be end usersHow to keep vendors honest and ensure they meet your district’s needsWhether you’re a district leader, tech director, or educator navigating AI, this conversation will give you the questions, strategies, and fail-safes you need before signing that next contract. 00:00 – Welcome and introduction 02:17 – Kyler’s background in AI and education technology 04:26 – The toughest challenges districts face with AI adoption 07:00 – Teachers as “speedboats, tugboats, and anchors” 09:14 – Advice for CTOs feeling overwhelmed 12:32 – The dangers of rushing into AI for the sake of hype 15:43 – Why vendor partnerships can make or break implementation 20:00 – Building a core team with 50% end users 22:58 – “Phase Zero” and defining your why before selecting tools 32:21 – The AI sticker joke—and why labels aren’t strategy 35:15 – Two wins and two losses Kyler sees in AI adoption 40:42 – Final advice for districts, CTOs, and vendors 46:25 – Closing thoughts and how to connect with Kyler Big thanks to our sponsors for supporting these important conversations: 📚 Book Creator 🧠 Eduaide.ai 🗣️ YellowdigListen in, take notes, and as always…Stay Techie!Authentic engagement, inclusion, and learning across the curriculum for ALL your students. Teachers love Book Creator. Yellowdig is transforming higher education by building online communities that drive engagement and collaboration. My EdTech Life is proud to partner with Yellowdig to amplify its mission.See how Yellowdig can revolutionize your campus—visit Yellowdig.co today!Support the show

AI Optimism with Becky KeeneIn this episode of My EdTech Life, I sat down with author, educator, and thought leader Becky Keene to unpack her new book AI Optimism. We tackled everything from AI literacy and data privacy to the SAMR model, edtech skepticism, and what it really takes to shift classroom practice forward, not with hype, but with intention.Becky shares her “AI Optimism” framework, talks candidly about the realities of edtech implementation, and reminds us all that if AI can do your job, maybe it’s time to teach differently.Whether you're a classroom teacher, district leader, or edtech developer, this conversation is for you. Dive in and walk away with clarity, strategy, and a renewed sense of agency.Timestamps 00:00 – Intro & Becky’s background 03:10 – Why she wrote AI Optimism 07:00 – The SAMR model & AI’s role 11:30 – From substitution to redefinition 15:00 – Empowering student agency with AI 17:30 – Rethinking PD for meaningful AI use 23:30 – Higher ed vs. K–12 AI needs 28:30 – Data privacy concerns 31:30 – Equity, access & the freemium problem 35:45 – Can AI replace teachers? 40:00 – Encouraging teacher reflection 42:00 – Final questions & takeaways 📚 Grab Becky’s book AI Optimism + free study guide: 🌐 https://beckykeene.com🎉 Shoutout to our amazing sponsors: 📘 Book Creator – Create, read, and publish student work with ease 🤖 Eduaide – AI tools designed to empower teachers, not replace them 🟠 Yellowdig – Social learning built for real engagementVisit our site for more great episodes!🔗 Website: https://www.myedtech.life 💛 Support the show: Become a Podcast Partner👇 Like, comment, and share this episode with your network. Let's keep growing together. 🎤 And as always... Stay Techie!Authentic engagement, inclusion, and learning across the curriculum for ALL your students. Teachers love Book Creator. Yellowdig is transforming higher education by building online communities that drive engagement and collaboration. My EdTech Life is proud to partner with Yellowdig to amplify its mission.See how Yellowdig can revolutionize your campus—visit Yellowdig.co today!Support the show

Erik Parsons, known as The PhDad on TikTok, dives deep into the intersection of education, research, and parenting. He critiques the compliance-driven nature of many classrooms, advocating for a model that prioritizes collaboration and agency. Discussing the role of play and improvisational theater, Erik emphasizes the need for student discourse to reimagine learning environments. The dangers of over-relying on technology, like AI, are explored, calling for a balance between innovation and critical thinking. Ultimately, he challenges us to rethink if we’re preparing learners or mere performers.

Digital Portfolios, Feedback Culture, and Rethinking Readiness with Tisha Poncio and Rick ButterworthIn Episode 330 of My EdTech Life, I sit down with Tisha Poncio and Rick Butterworth, authors of Today’s Learners, Tomorrow’s Leaders. This conversation is all about transforming classrooms by prioritizing neurodiversity, digital portfolios, and building real-world readiness through entrepreneurial thinking.We dig into what it really means to shift from compliance-based learning to authentic student voice, how educators can reframe feedback, and why every learner deserves space to reflect, create, and grow.Timestamps:00:00 – Welcome and intros 03:10 – Tisha and Rick’s origin story 06:35 – The real message behind Today’s Learners, Tomorrow’s Leaders 10:45 – What digital portfolios can unlock in the classroom 14:20 – Why feedback culture needs to change 19:00 – Classroom examples of student voice in action 25:10 – Rick’s take on workplace readiness and how schools miss the mark 29:40 – Branding, identity, and giving students ownership 35:15 – Practical steps to empower neurodivergent learners 42:50 – Why educators should embrace their inner entrepreneur 50:00 – The question: “What’s your EduKryptonite?” 58:00 – Closing thoughts and reflection🛠️ Learn more about Today’s Learners, Tomorrow’s Leaders: Inspire Your Students to Succeed in School and Beyond. 🙏 Big thanks to our sponsors for supporting meaningful conversations in education: Book Creator, Eduaide.ai, and Yellowdig🎧 Listen to more episodes at: https://www.myedtech.life/Authentic engagement, inclusion, and learning across the curriculum for ALL your students. Teachers love Book Creator. Yellowdig is transforming higher education by building online communities that drive engagement and collaboration. My EdTech Life is proud to partner with Yellowdig to amplify its mission.See how Yellowdig can revolutionize your campus—visit Yellowdig.co today!Support the show

Ep.329 Building with Purpose with Eduaide In this episode, I welcome back two familiar voices: Thomas Thompson and Thomas Hummel, the powerhouse team behind Eduaide.AI. This isn’t just another conversation about AI. It’s a grounded, honest discussion on what it means to build tech for teachers, by teachers.We talk growth, grit, and grounded design. From their classroom beginnings to becoming one of the most trusted teacher-first platforms, we unpack how they’re putting pedagogy over hype, and purpose over buzzwords.🎧 If you are skeptical, curious, or cautiously optimistic about AI in education, this is a great episode for you. ⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and Context Setting06:46 EduAid's Growth and Development14:09 Feedback and Teacher Engagement20:56 Pedagogy and Technology Integration22:16 Community Feedback and Its Impact on EduAid23:38 International Reach and Localized Curriculum26:29 Access and Equity in Education28:23 The Ripple Effect of EduAid32:34 Navigating AI in Education35:18 The Hype and Reality of AI Tools39:37 Public Education vs. Private Success46:24 Revisiting Taxonomy of LLMs in Education53:20 Challenges of AI Integration in Schools56:31 Navigating the AI Landscape in Education01:03:09 Grounding in Reality: The Educator's Perspective01:11:02 Innovations in EduAid: Enhancing Teaching Tools01:17:04 Final Thoughts and Reflections on Education and AI 🫶 A huge thanks to our incredible sponsors for supporting this work: Eduaide.AI, Book Creator, Yellowdig, 🛠️ My EdTech Life is about real conversations that matter. No buzzwords, just honest dialogue with the people building the future of learning.🙏 Like, comment, and subscribe to keep these conversations going—and as always… Stay Techie, my friends.Authentic engagement, inclusion, and learning across the curriculum for ALL your students. Teachers love Book Creator. Yellowdig is transforming higher education by building online communities that drive engagement and collaboration. My EdTech Life is proud to partner with Yellowdig to amplify its mission.See how Yellowdig can revolutionize your campus—visit Yellowdig.co today!Support the show

AI in Schools: Innovation or Illusion? | Ep. 328 with Job ChristiansenIs AI making classrooms smarter—or just noisier?In this episode of My EdTech Life, I sit down with Job Christiansen, a fellow cautious advocate, educator, and instructional technology specialist, to ask the hard questions about AI’s role in education. From privacy concerns to the illusion of “safe use,” we unpack what most educators, tech leaders, and decision-makers aren’t being told about the tools flooding our schools.Job doesn’t just read privacy policies, he tests them, creating teacher and student accounts to see what’s really happening behind the interface. This episode dives into why most AI tools may still be stuck in the substitution phase and what it’s going to take to truly shift toward responsible, innovative, human-centered use.🎧 Whether you're in K–12 or Higher Ed, this one will challenge your thinking. TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 02:00 Job’s Journey Into EdTech 06:00 First Reactions to ChatGPT in 2022 10:00 Early Adoption vs. Caution in Schools 13:30 AI's Substitution Trap & SAMR Concerns 19:00 Redefining “Safe” in AI Tools 24:30 What Job Found Testing Student-Facing AI Apps 30:00 Historical Accuracy and the AI “George Washington” Problem 36:00 The Concept of AI Pollution and Knowledge Dilution 43:00 Transparency, Trust, and Teacher Responsibility 47:00 Final Takeaways and Reflective Advice 50:00 Where to Connect with Job 54:00 EdTech Kryptonite, Billboards, and Historical Curiosity🙏 Big thanks to our amazing sponsors: 🔹 Book Creator 🔹 Eduaide.AI 🔹 Yellowdig💬 Visit www.myedtech.life to explore more episodes and support the show.👋 Stay curious. Stay critical. And as always—Stay Techie.Authentic engagement, inclusion, and learning across the curriculum for ALL your students. Teachers love Book Creator. Yellowdig is transforming higher education by building online communities that drive engagement and collaboration. My EdTech Life is proud to partner with Yellowdig to amplify its mission.See how Yellowdig can revolutionize your campus—visit Yellowdig.co today!Support the show

Episode 327:  Learning & Development, Instructional Design, and AI Talk with Holly Owens  In this episode, I had the honor of chatting with Holly Owens, host of EdUp EdTech, Director of Growth Marketing at Yellowdig, and all-around L&D powerhouse. We talk about everything from instructional design to AI in learning, what "proficiency" really means, and how educators can pivot into the world of L&D with confidence.If you're an educator, learning designer, or someone navigating the fast-moving world of EdTech, this one's packed with takeaways you’ll want to keep coming back to.We go deep on human-first learning, ethical red flags with AI, and the importance of not letting imposter syndrome get in your way. Whether you’re pivoting careers or just trying to stay ahead of the curve, Holly brings the fire.🔗 Connect with Holly on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hollyowens/ 🎧 Listen to the EdUp EdTech Podcast: https://www.edupedtech.com/👇 Check out the full breakdown and timestamps below:⏱️ Timestamps:00:00 – Welcome and intro 01:00 – Meet Holly Owens 03:00 – Holly’s journey from K-12 to L&D 05:30 – From marketing to education and vice versa 07:00 – The power of knowing your learners 09:00 – Human-first learning and why it matters 11:00 – Helping educators pivot and grow 14:00 – AI in learning: Hype vs. reality 17:00 – TruePeer and other AI tools Holly’s using 19:00 – Evaluating EdTech through an accessibility lens 21:00 – When to use AI—and when not to 24:00 – Losing your voice to AI? Here's Holly’s take 26:30 – AI and the emotional gap 28:00 – Digital wellness and AI companions 31:00 – What does proficiency in EdTech really mean? 33:00 – Navigating tech with teacher instincts 36:00 – Change management in the L&D world 38:00 – Ethical red flags in instructional design 40:00 – Not every problem needs a training 42:00 – AI and automation: What’s next? 44:00 – What skills are still uniquely human? 46:00 – Where to connect with Holly 47:00 – Rapid-fire Q&A: Kryptonite, billboards, and Taylor Swift?🙏 A huge thanks to our amazing sponsors: Book Creator | Eduaide.AI | Yellowdig💻 Visit https://www.myedtech.life for more episodes, resources, and guest spotlights.🎧 Until next time… Stay Techie!Authentic engagement, inclusion, and learning across the curriculum for ALL your students. Teachers love Book Creator. Yellowdig is transforming higher education by building online communities that drive engagement and collaboration. My EdTech Life is proud to partner with Yellowdig to amplify its mission.See how Yellowdig can revolutionize your campus—visit Yellowdig.co today!Support the show

What Does It Mean to Be Digitally Well? | with Teodora Pavkovic In this episode of My EdTech Life, I sit down with Teodora Pavkovic, psychologist, speaker, and digital wellness expert at Linewize, to unpack how technology shapes our emotions, identity, and relationships. From AI companions and algorithmic influence to parenting in the age of chatbots, Teodora offers practical wisdom and actionable strategies for families and schools seeking healthy digital habits.We dive into why digital platforms aren’t just neutral tools, how emotional regulation is critical in tech use, and what educators can do right now to foster balance in digitally connected classrooms.⏱️ Timestamps00:00 - Intro & Welcome 02:10 - What is Digital Wellness? 06:15 - Are Digital Platforms Truly Neutral Tools? 10:22 - The Rise of AI Companions for Kids 15:03 - Parasocial Relationships with Chatbots 18:50 - How Tech Impacts Identity and Self-Perception 22:11 - Helping Kids Navigate AI and Social Media 27:30 - Why Families Must Co-Play and Co-Reflect 31:00 - The ABCs of Digital Parenting 34:15 - What Schools Can Do Differently 37:40 - The Real Role of Screen Time 41:05 - Teaching Emotional Regulation in a Digital World 45:12 - The Future of EdTech with AI In Mind 48:27 - Final Advice for Parents and Educators 50:10 - Teodora's Billboard Message: "You Are Human" 52:30 - Closing Thoughts🙏 Special Thanks to Our Sponsors:Book Creator — Empower every student to become an author. https://bookcreator.comEduaide.AI — Teacher support at the speed of AI. https://eduaide.aiYellowdig — Build community through conversation. https://www.yellowdig.coThank you for supporting My EdTech Life and the mission to amplify educator and student voices around the world.📢 Subscribe, like, and leave a comment to keep these conversations going. 🎧 Listen on your favorite podcast app or watch here on YouTube. 🌐 Visit https://www.myedtech.life for more episodes.Authentic engagement, inclusion, and learning across the curriculum for ALL your students. Teachers love Book Creator. Yellowdig is transforming higher education by building online communities that drive engagement and collaboration. My EdTech Life is proud to partner with Yellowdig to amplify its mission.See how Yellowdig can revolutionize your campus—visit Yellowdig.co today!Support the show

Digital Dangers Facing Our Kids with Andy MurphyIn this episode of My EdTech Life, I sat down with Andy Murphy, also known as The Secure Dad, to talk about the uncomfortable truth: kids are being targeted online, and it’s not a fair fight.We unpack how predators use everyday platforms like games and social media to groom and manipulate children, often right under their parents' noses. Andy drops powerful insights that every parent, educator, and EdTech leader needs to hear.Whether you’re a teacher, a parent, or someone working in digital safety, this episode will shift the way you see online interactions.👊 Let’s protect our kids by staying informed and building stronger conversations at home and in our classrooms.⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 - Intro: Why this episode matters 02:18 - “It’s not a fair fight” — How predators approach kids 06:03 - Why predators use gaming platforms 10:45 - The danger of old phones and open access 14:20 - YouTube in the living room: Proximity matters 17:50 - Red flags parents need to watch for 22:10 - “My kid would never…” and the blind spots it causes 25:33 - Open conversations > parental controls 29:00 - Teaching kids to protect themselves online 33:45 - Final advice for parents and educators 36:20 - How to connect with The Secure Dad 39:00 - Wrap-up and sponsor shoutouts🔥 BIG THANKS to our sponsors! 🙏 Book Creator – Empower your students to become published authors with an intuitive, creative platform. https://bookcreator.com 🙏 Yellowdig – A community-focused learning platform that turns passive learners into engaged contributors. https://www.yellowdig.co 🙏 Eduaide.AI – Your co-teacher in the classroom. Create lesson plans, assessments, and more using safe, educator-friendly AI. https://eduaide.ai📢 Subscribe for weekly conversations with educators, innovators, and creators who are shaping the future of learning.👉 Drop a comment, share this episode with your community, and hit that like button to support the mission.🎧 Stay Techie.Authentic engagement, inclusion, and learning across the curriculum for ALL your students. Teachers love Book Creator. Yellowdig is transforming higher education by building online communities that drive engagement and collaboration. My EdTech Life is proud to partner with Yellowdig to amplify its mission.See how Yellowdig can revolutionize your campus—visit Yellowdig.co today!Support the show

Episode 324 – Charlie Meyer: The AI Hype, EdTech Snake Oil & What Teachers Actually Want In this episode of My EdTech Life, I sit down with Charlie Meyer, small business owner and creator of Pickcode, to unpack the growing wave of AI solutionism in education. From being shouted at over not using AI to asking hard questions like, “Would you trust a vibe-coded site with your bank info?”, Charlie brings the heat, the honesty, and the humor.If you’re an educator, policymaker, EdTech builder, or investor—this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro & shoutout to sponsors 02:00 - Who is Charlie Meyer? From CS major to classroom teacher to Pickcode 05:00 - The AI hype: Charlie gets yelled at for not using AI 08:00 - Small biz vs. VC startups: Who’s actually listening to teachers? 10:30 - The silver bullet myth: Why AI promises fall flat in classrooms 15:00 - Where do we draw the line on AI delegation? 17:30 - Real talk on student-teacher relationships & AI disruption 21:00 - AI feedback loops: Are students and teachers both being sidelined? 22:30 - Spotting snake oil: How to vet EdTech products built on buzz 24:00 - If AI tools were honest: “I don’t know you. I don’t care. I’m a matrix in a data center.” 26:00 - Pedagogy in a silo: Personalized ≠ human 28:00 - What Charlie would tell an AI founder who’s never taught 31:00 - Why most teachers aren’t asking for AI—and that’s OK 33:00 - The accountability gap: Who’s vetting these tools? 36:00 - “Move fast and break things” ≠ Classroom values 40:00 - AI tools vs. real classroom pain points 42:00 - Why Pickcode solves real problems without AI 45:00 - Vibe coding exposed: Would you bank on AI-written code? 54:00 - Final thoughts: The bet on GPT-6 & the future of AI in EdTech 57:00 - Charlie’s lightning round: kryptonite, billboards, and his dog’s perfect life 01:01:00 - Final reflections & stay techie!🔗 Explore More 🌐 Visit Pickcode: https://www.pickcode.io 💬 Connect with Charlie Meyer 🎧 Catch every episode: https://www.myedtech.life🙌 Special thanks to our sponsors: Book Creator | Eduaide.ai | Yellowdig | Pocketalk📣 Don’t forget to like, comment, and share if this episode challenged your thinking or made you laugh. Let’s build smarter, safer EdTech—together.Authentic engagement, inclusion, and learning across the curriculum for ALL your students. Teachers love Book Creator. Yellowdig is transforming higher education by building online communities that drive engagement and collaboration. My EdTech Life is proud to partner with Yellowdig to amplify its mission.See how Yellowdig can revolutionize your campus—visit Yellowdig.co today!Support the show