EdTech Bites Podcast

Want to bring your whole district together with one simple tool? ClassDojo for Districts makes it easy to engage families and strengthen school communities—at every level. It's the number one communication app trusted by millions of K-12 teachers, now with district-wide oversight and controls. From Pre-K to high school, ClassDojo connects your schools and families in one seamless place. Learn more at classdojo.com/districts. In this episode, I chat with Steve Sherman to discuss the evolution of STEAM education in South Africa, particularly the integration of coding and robotics into the national curriculum for K-7 students. He highlights the rapid adoption of AI and EdTech tools in schools, the challenges of ensuring data privacy, and the disparities in resources between different schools. Steve also emphasizes the importance of AI literacy and ethical use in education, and shares his efforts to foster global collaboration among educators through a dedicated online community. He also schools us on Rooibos tea and how it's made. Buen provecho! Connect With Gabriel Carrillo EdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.com EdTech Bites On Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/edtechbites.bsky.social EdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites X: https://twitter.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@edtechbites EdTech Bites YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@edtechbites About Steve Sherman Steve is the Chief Imagination Officer and Executive Dayreamer at a STEM-based NGO called Livingmaths.com, based in South Africa. He is works with many schools in person and online, teaches a few thousand students a week, facilitates teacher training a d he is an Edtech Evangelist. Steve knows Karate, Jujutsu and 2 other Japanese words. Connect With Steve Sherman Steve's Website: https://www.livingmaths.com/ Steve On X: https://x.com/LivingMaths Steve On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/19VTaoaXiX/ Living Maths Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/share/19PZsCRnH7/ ISTE 2026 Global Collaboration Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/687759955855233

This episode explores the quiet, constant tension male teachers experience when trying to build authentic relationships with students. From hugs to high-fives, what feels natural for many female educators often feels risky or off-limits for their male colleagues. We also dive into Texas Senate Bill 12 (SB12), a new law that requires parental consent for schools to provide basic health or emotional support—yes, even for a band-aid or a conversation with a counselor. In This Episode: The double standard male educators face in classrooms Real-life examples of how the same gesture can be interpreted differently The internal checklist male teachers run through every day How SB12 amplifies caution and changes the student-teacher dynamic Why all educators should care about the long-term impact of SB12 A call for empathy, awareness, and proactive communication among staff Call to Action: Start a conversation with your colleagues about how policy and perception shape the way we show care in the classroom. If you're a male teacher, share your experience. If you're not, ask about theirs. Connect With Gabriel Carrillo EdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.com EdTech Bites On Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/edtechbites.bsky.social EdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites X: https://twitter.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@edtechbites EdTech Bites YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@edtechbites

Want to bring your whole district together with one simple tool? ClassDojo for Districts makes it easy to engage families and strengthen school communities—at every level. It's the number one communication app trusted by millions of K-12 teachers, now with district-wide oversight and controls. From Pre-K to high school, ClassDojo connects your schools and families in one seamless place. Learn more at classdojo.com/districts. What if your students had the power to shape your lessons—and it actually worked? In this insightful conversation, educator and author Jennifer Casa-Todd joins us to break down the real meaning of student voice. From her work with high schoolers and pre-service teachers to co-authoring a book with a student, Jennifer shares how to move from "listening" to "collaboration" to full-on student leadership. You'll learn: Why asking students to "keep it, ditch it, tweak it" transforms your teaching How classroom committees build purpose and belonging The surprising ways students are using AI to innovate (not just cheat) Why your mindset—not your method—is the biggest roadblock This episode will have you rethinking the role of students in everything from curriculum design to digital citizenship. Time to put the "co" in co-creator! Connect With Gabriel Carrillo EdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.com EdTech Bites On Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/edtechbites.bsky.social EdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites X: https://twitter.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@edtechbites EdTech Bites YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@edtechbites About Jennifer Casa-Todd Jennifer am a wife, mom, educator, a former Literacy Consultant, a Google Certified Innovator, and author of several educational publications--most recently, Hopes for School: A student perspective and ideas for educational transformation. She's an ISTE Community leader, a Google Educator Group leader for Ontario and a Board member for the Canadian School Library Association. Jennifer can currently be found supporting pre-service teachers at Lakehead University (Ontario). She's passionate about amplifying student voice and helping learners use technology positively and productively. Connect With Jennifer Casa-Todd Jennifer's Website: https://jcasatodd.com/ Jennifer On X: https://x.com/JCasaTodd Jennifer On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raisingdigitalleaders/ Jennifer On Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/jcasatodd.bsky.social Jennifer On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifercasa-todd/

Hear that? That's the sound of STEM careers taking off. Meet CoDrone EDU from Robolink — the drone made for classrooms and competitions and the sponsor for this episode. It's safe, durable, and fixable — with no FAA license or assembly required to fly and help every student feel more confident in a tech-driven world. Students fly CoDrone EDU three ways: manually, coded with Blockly, or coded with Python. See how over 7 thousand schools have proven you CAN have drones in classrooms, buzz and all, at www.robolink.com Ever wondered how to get a drone club off the ground—without crashing it on day one? In this episode, we're joined by Frankie Baker, former classroom teacher turned Community Manager at Robolink, to break down the big wins (and mistakes) teachers make when bringing drones into their schools. From fixable, flyable classroom drones to career-ready skills and whale snot (yes, really), we're covering everything you didn't know you needed to know about drones in education. Whether you're drone-curious or halfway to competition day, this episode will give you the real talk, the how-tos, and a few good laughs. In This Episode, You'll Learn: The real reason most teachers fail at starting a drone club Why drones aren't just toys—and how they build real-world skills A $250 drone that doesn't need an FAA license? Yep. Free curriculum + PD that makes drone clubs teacher-friendly Student-led learning in action: from Earth Day bees to conference presenters Why Frankie's Twitter handle is "BaconEdTech" A food segment featuring sourdough gone wrong and pan de muerto done right Gabriel's Sourdough Pan De Muerto Recipe Connect With Gabriel Carrillo EdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.com EdTech Bites On Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/edtechbites.bsky.social EdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites X: https://twitter.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@edtechbites EdTech Bites YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@edtechbites About Frankie Baker A self-proclaimed "hype girl of all the things," Frankie is committed to empowering teachers to confidently integrate technology and foster student voice, choice, and agency in every classroom. With a strong focus on AI in education, robotics, and coding, she helps bridge the gap between tech and curriculum—making it approachable and meaningful for all learners. Frankie thrives on learning through collaboration and loves growing her network through communities, tools, and events that push the boundaries of what's possible in education. Connect With Frankie Frankie On X: https://x.com/baconedtech Frankie On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/baconedtech/ Frankie On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frankie-baker-9001636a/ Robolink Website: https://www.robolink.com Robolink On Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/robolinkinc/ Robolink On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@robolinkinc

Want to bring your whole district together with one simple tool? ClassDojo for Districts makes it easy to engage families and strengthen school communities—at every level. It's the number one communication app trusted by millions of K-12 teachers, now with district-wide oversight and controls. From Pre-K to high school, ClassDojo connects your schools and families in one seamless place. Learn more at classdojo.com/districts. What started as a simple point system is now a full-blown ecosystem! In this episode, I sit down with Miranda Ketcham — veteran educator and ClassDojo superuser — to explore how this classroom management tool has evolved into a digital powerhouse for behavior tracking, student reflection, and parent communication. We chat about Dojo Island, the shift from paper notes to real-time feedback, and what it's like to manage classroom culture with a few taps. Oh, and we literally break bread over some pan dulce. Tune in to hear how Miranda has used ClassDojo since 2011 and why she still swears by it today. Connect With Gabriel Carrillo EdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.com EdTech Bites On Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/edtechbites.bsky.social EdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites X: https://twitter.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@edtechbites EdTech Bites YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@edtechbites About Miranda Ketcham Miranda Ketcham, a 17 year veteran educator, serves as a 5th grade teacher at King Elementary, located in King, North Carolina, part of Stokes County Schools district. She consistently guides her students in using technology as a tool for learning, incorporating AI literacy and AI tools to enhance their educational experience. She has been using ClassDojo since 2012 and has effectively utilized the platform to help students record and share their learning through digital portfolios. Always eager to explore new technology, she embraces the latest features in ClassDojo and other educational applications to enhance student engagement. Connect With Miranda Ketcham Miranda On X: https://x.com/ketchammiranda Miranda On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581827553083

What do gluten-free chips, high-protein bagels, and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) have in common? They're all about meeting everyone's needs, and that's exactly what former middle school teacher turned tech coach Kyle Niemis is passionate about. In this episode, we break down the real classroom implementation of UDL, point out the differences between UDL and differentiation, and talk practical grading strategies that won't break your brain. Plus, we take a tasty detour into food metaphors, BBQ negotiations, and the ultimate tortilla debate. (Team corn, for the win!) This episode will leave you full of fresh ideas and hungry for more. Buen provecho! Connect With Gabriel Carrillo EdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.com EdTech Bites On Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/edtechbites.bsky.social EdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites X: https://twitter.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@edtechbites EdTech Bites YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@edtechbites About Kyle Niemis Kyle Niemis is the Head of Community at Wayground, formerly Quizizz, where he leads programs that connect and inspire educators worldwide. He spent 13 years as a middle school science teacher and 3 years as a technology coach, experiences that give him a deep understanding of both classroom realities and instructional innovation. Kyle has also co-founded two edtech companies and is known for his authentic connection with teachers and his ability to turn ideas into engaging community experiences. He brings a unique perspective on how technology can transform both teaching and learning. Connect With Kyle Niemis and Wayground Wayground Website: https://www.wayground.com Kyle Niemis On X: https://x.com/KyleNiemis

Want to bring your whole district together with one simple tool? ClassDojo for Districts makes it easy to engage families and strengthen school communities—at every level. It's the number one communication app trusted by millions of K-12 teachers, now with district-wide oversight and controls. From Pre-K to high school, ClassDojo connects your schools and families in one seamless place. Learn more at classdojo.com/districts. In this episode, Becky Keene and I explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping education. We unpack the role of AI in lesson planning, student engagement, and teacher productivity—while keeping the human-first approach at the center. Learn how to create better AI prompts, leverage tools like ChatGPT, and avoid the hype while embracing the helpful. Ideal for educators looking to enhance teaching with technology. Buen provecho! Connect With Gabriel Carrillo EdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.com EdTech Bites On Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/edtechbites.bsky.social EdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites X: https://twitter.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@edtechbites EdTech Bites YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@edtechbites About Becky Keene Becky Keene is an educator, author, and speaker focused on innovative teaching and learning. She specializes in instructional coaching, game-based learning, and integrating AI into education to empower students as creators. She has developed esports programs for schools and explores immersive learning through games. Becky speaks globally on AI in education and has spent over 20 years designing professional learning experiences for teachers. A National Board Certified Teacher, she spent 15 years teaching, coaching, and leading programs in public schools. She is the author of the book AI Optimism and holds an MS Ed in early literacy. Connect With Becky Keene Becky's Website: https://www.beckykeene.com Becky On X: https://www.twitter.com/beckykeene Becky On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beckykeeneEDU/ Becky On Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/beckykeene.com Becky On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beckykeeneEDU/ Becky On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beckykeeneedu

This episode is sponsored by Doowii. Doowii brings all of your district's data together. When data is scattered across systems and buried in outdated reports, it's hard to turn that data into action. Doowii connects your SIS, LMS, assessments, staffing, financial data, and more into one secure, conversational intelligence platform designed for all educators. No extra strain on your district's resources, just faster, smarter decisions. Hungry for better insights? Visit doowii.io to learn more and see it in action. If your school's data could talk, would it ask for help? Or maybe just a better dashboard? In this episode, I chat with Ben Dodson, founder and CEO of Doowii, a cutting-edge AI-powered data platform built specifically for education. Ben shares how his tech background (hello, Google and Snapchat!) inspired him to leap into the world of EdTech to solve one of education's messiest problems: siloed, underutilized data. We cover: 🔍 What exactly Doowii does (and how it's more than just a dashboard tool) 🧠 How natural language queries make data accessible for everyone—no SQL required! 🏫 Real use cases from school districts and universities (hello, bell schedule analytics!) ⏱️ How Doowii helps admins reclaim hours of reporting time 🔐 The importance of security, privacy, and ethical AI use in student data 🧭 Using predictive models to flag support needs before students slip through the cracks Plus, Ben answers the ultimate question: Corn or flour tortilla? If you're tired of waiting a week for that failing student report, this episode is your invitation to reimagine how data works for you…not against you. Learn more or book a demo: https://doowii.io Listen now and get inspired to make data your district's new superpower. Connect With Gabriel Carrillo EdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.com EdTech Bites On Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/edtechbites.bsky.social EdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites X: https://twitter.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@edtechbites EdTech Bites YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@edtechbites About Ben Dodson Ben Dodson is an experienced data scientist, AI engineer, and startup founder with over a decade of experience at the forefront of data science, AI, and data engineering. His career spans impactful roles at Silicon Valley giants like Google and Snapchat, where he earned multiple patents for groundbreaking innovations, including the application of vision transformer networks to optimize media quality at scale. Ben's expertise and forward-thinking approach also positioned him as an early contributor at startups like Mux and Marqeta. In 2023, Ben founded Doowii, an AI-powered assistant for data scientists serving the education sector. Doowii's mission is to empower educators to harness the full potential of data to improve student outcomes. Connect With Doowii And Learn More Doowii Website: www.doowii.io Doowii On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/doowii-inc/

Want to bring your whole district together with one simple tool? ClassDojo for Districts makes it easy to engage families and strengthen school communities—at every level. It's the number one communication app trusted by millions of K-12 teachers, now with district-wide oversight and controls. From Pre-K to high school, ClassDojo connects your schools and families in one seamless place. Learn more at classdojo.com/districts. What happens when a recently retired edtech queen trades early morning alarms for AI-powered student engagement? You get a mic-drop convo with Kristen Brooks! In this fun and feel-good episode, we talk about turning AI from intimidating to inspiring—one classroom experience at a time. Kristen shares how teachers can invite students to help co-create learning moments using tools like Adobe Express and more. Oh, and pan dulce makes a sweet guest appearance. Come hungry for ideas and maybe even a concha. Connect With Gabriel Carrillo EdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.com EdTech Bites On Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/edtechbites.bsky.social EdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites X: https://twitter.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@edtechbites EdTech Bites YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@edtechbites About Kristen Brooks Kristen Brooks is a 30 year veteran educator, with 21 years excusively in Educational Technology Leadership as an innovation lab specialist and an instructional technology coach who encourages creativity in the classroom #forEDU. Ms. Brooks enjoys working with schools and districts to build relationships, master pedagogy & execute instructional technology integration & supporting all areas of education through speaking at events & conferences around the globe. She was recently named as a 2025 AI Innovator from ASU+GSV summit and is honored be an ISTE+ASCD 20 to Watch. To connect with Kristen go to KristenBrooks.com or LinkedIn and create > consume today! Connect With Kristen Kristen's Website: http://www.kristenbrooks.net Kristen On X: https://twitter.com/KristenBrooks77 Kristen On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Kristenbrooks77/ Kristen On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KristenBrooks77EDU STEAM For Little Learners Book: https://books.apple.com/us/book/steam-for-little-learners/id6476427830

What do your classroom and sourdough bread have in common? In this inspiring keynote episode, we explore how patience, preparation, and purposeful pedagogy are the secret ingredients to a thriving school year. From pro tips on using ChatGPT and Google Gemini in the classroom to mindset shifts that set the tone for student success, this episode is packed with real talk and relatable strategies for teachers, instructional coaches, and administrators. Learn how to harness AI as your teaching assistant—not your replacement—and discover why carbs (yes, really) might be the secret to your classroom culture. Let's make this school year manageable and memorable, together. Connect With Gabriel Carrillo EdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.com EdTech Bites On Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/edtechbites.bsky.social EdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites X: https://twitter.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@edtechbites EdTech Bites YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@edtechbites