
The International Classroom
Welcome to The International Classroom, where we're breaking down borders and building bridges between educators from all corners of the globe. This vibrant podcast is your gateway to a world of diverse teaching methods, innovative educational ideas, and unique classroom experiences shared by educators worldwide. 🌐
In every episode, we delve deep into the heart of education, exploring a multitude of topics that are as varied as the schools and cultures they originate from. So, join us on this extraordinary journey. Subscribe to The International Classroom and be a part of the conversation.
Latest episodes

Dec 31, 2024 • 47min
Inside EduAid AI: Evidence-Based Teaching Made Easy
Discover how EduAid AI is reshaping the way educators plan lessons, provide feedback, and engage their students. In this episode, host Alex welcomes Thomas Thompson IV, co-founder of EduAid AI, who shares a behind-the-scenes look at how this powerful tool leverages evidence-based teaching principles and the science of learning to transform classroom instruction. Thomas discusses the platform’s modular content generation, which helps teachers quickly design logical sequences of instruction, craft differentiated materials, and incorporate gamification elements like Jeopardy-style quizzes.
Learn how EduAid AI’s feedback bot offers precise, positive, and actionable student feedback while maintaining data privacy. Thomas also tackles the nuances of large language models (LLMs)—from their limitations in handling math to their potential for streamlining lesson creation and saving teachers valuable time. Whether you’re new to AI or already exploring its classroom applications, you’ll gain insights on standards-based alignment, scaffolding strategies, and practical ways to ensure teacher retention and professional growth. Don’t miss this deep dive into the future of edtech—and find out how you can get started with EduAid AI to revolutionise your own teaching practice.
Website: https://www.eduaide.ai/

Dec 30, 2024 • 49min
AI-Driven Character Building: Exploring Be World Class
Welcome to Platform #11 of our “12 Platforms of Christmas” series! In this episode, I chat with Charlie and James from Be World Class, an innovative AI-powered education platform that focuses on holistic character development in schools. Discover how their system, featuring the GRACE AI tool, helps students reflect on their personal growth, build essential life skills, and empowers teachers with meaningful data insights—all without adding extra marking or paperwork.
Charlie and James share how they’ve combined cutting-edge technology with educational expertise to ensure that educators can measure and celebrate the “hidden curriculum” of character-building. Learn how Be World Class can save teacher time, support a coaching culture, and spotlight achievements that often get overlooked in traditional academic systems.
If you’ve ever wondered how to quantify leadership, kindness, and resilience or want to boost whole-school impact with a flexible, user-friendly platform, this is the conversation for you. Tune in for practical ideas on embedding character education into day-to-day school life and hear why it’s so crucial for preparing students to thrive beyond the classroom.
Key Topics Covered
Why traditional education overlooks valuable life skills
Demonstration of GRACE AI and how it shapes student reflections
Capturing and categorising holistic development data
Building a whole-school culture of character, leadership, and personal growth
Time-saving benefits for teachers and how it frees up coaching opportunities
Affordable pricing and implementation tips for schools
The future of AI in education and what excites Charlie & James most
Learn More About Be World Class
Official Website: https://beworldclass.org/
Connect on LinkedIn:
James: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-kaye-324572206/
Charlie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlie-jenkinson-ba05ab1b6/

Dec 29, 2024 • 43min
The 12 Platforms of Christmas: SwiftTeach — AI Tools Empowering Teachers
Welcome to Platform #10 of our “12 Platforms of Christmas” series. In this episode of the International Classroom Podcast, host Alex sits down with teacher and SwiftTeach creator Gurbinder Mander to explore how AI-powered tools are transforming classrooms worldwide. Discover how SwiftTeach streamlines lesson planning, automates quiz creation, and empowers teachers to personalise learning for every student. Gurbinder shares the journey behind building this edtech platform, from harnessing OpenAI to collaborating with educators for real-world impact. Whether you’re a teacher, school leader, or edtech enthusiast, learn how SwiftTeach can reduce admin workload, boost student engagement, and help you focus on what matters most—inspiring learners. Don’t miss this deep dive into the future of AI in education.
Guest: Gurbinder Mander (SwiftTeach)
Website: https://www.swiftteach.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gurbinder-mander-835272126/

Dec 28, 2024 • 46min
Redefining Online Education: Hugh Viney on Minerva’s Virtual Academy and Building Happy Schools
In this episode of The International Classroom, we sit down with Hugh Viney, founder of Minerva’s Virtual Academy, to explore how his innovative online school is redefining education for students aged 11 to 18. Hugh shares the inspiring journey of growing Minerva from a small group of students to a thriving community of 1,000 learners across 50 countries.
We dive deep into Minerva’s unique approach, from their pioneering mentor program and personalised pastoral care to their flexible flipped learning model that combines asynchronous and live teaching. Hugh also sheds light on the school's commitment to fostering student happiness, the importance of wellbeing in academic success, and the game-changing role of online education for neurodiverse and non-traditional learners.
Discover how Minerva is creating a supportive global community, tackling misconceptions about online learning, and ensuring academic success with innovative teaching methods. Whether you're an educator, parent, or student, this conversation offers valuable insights into the future of education and the role of online schools in empowering students to thrive.
Key Topics Covered:
The foundation and growth of Minerva’s Virtual Academy
How online schools support student wellbeing and academic excellence
The role of mentors, pastoral care, and enrichment programs
Breaking stereotypes about online education and student engagement
Minerva’s vision for global expansion and innovative education practices
Tune in now to learn how Minerva’s Virtual Academy is shaping the future of online learning.
Discover more: https://www.minervavirtual.com/

Dec 26, 2024 • 57min
The Endless Studios Education Platform: Games, Coding & Skills for the Future
In this episode, we sit down with Matt Dalio from Endless Studios to discuss how they are transforming education through their cutting-edge, game-based learning platform. We explore how their unique system allows them to bring crucial coding and digital skills to students, particularly in emerging markets. With a mission to provide equitable access to education, Endless Studios is tackling the digital divide head-on.
We dive into the platform's functionality, from basic game creation to advanced programming using industry-standard tools like Unity. This platform isn't just about games; it's about fostering a deep understanding of 21st-century skills, such as design, management, and entrepreneurship. We talk through their approach, from device access to collaborative learning, which ensures that every student gets an opportunity to unlock their full potential.If you're passionate about education, tech, or empowering the next generation, then this is an episode you won't want to miss.
Key Topics Discussed:
- Game-Based Learning for Education
- Teaching Coding & Programming
- Digital Skills Development
- Bridging the Digital Divide
- Access to Technology in Emerging Markets
- 21st Century Skills
- The Future of Work
- Entrepreneurship through Gaming
Learn More About Endless Studios: https://www.endlessstudios.com/
Matt Dalio: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattdalio/
Don't forget to like, subscribe, and leave a comment.

Dec 24, 2024 • 42min
Arman Jaffer Talks Brisk AI: Smarter Tools for Teachers
In this episode of The International Classroom Podcast, Alex sits down with Arman Jaffer, founder of Brisk AI, an innovative AI-powered Chrome extension transforming the way educators teach. With over 850,000 teachers already using Brisk, Arman shares the journey behind its creation, from his work at the White House and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative to developing a tool that saves educators time, simplifies lesson planning, and enhances feedback for students.
Discover how Brisk empowers teachers to integrate personalised AI tutors, streamline grading, and create lesson plans and quizzes in seconds—all for free. Arman demonstrates the platform's standout features, including student-facing tools, curriculum-aligned resources, and collaboration options for teaching teams.
Join us as we explore how Brisk AI is supporting educators worldwide, hear about the future of AI in education, and gain insights into Arman’s vision for technology that works with teachers, not against them.
👉 Key Highlights:
- How Brisk AI simplifies feedback and lesson planning.
- Live demo: AI-powered tools for student engagement and differentiated learning.
- Safeguarding and data accuracy in AI tools.
- Arman’s vision for the future of AI in education.
💡 Learn more about Brisk AI: https://briskteaching.com🎧
Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with leading innovators in education!#AIinEducation #BriskAI #EdTech #TeachingTools #LessonPlanning #Feedback #InternationalClassroomPodcast #ArmanJaffer

Dec 22, 2024 • 39min
Deepanshu Arora on Toddle: AI Tools to Elevate Teaching | The International Classroom Podcast
In this episode of The International Classroom Podcast, Alex Gray sits down with Deepanshu Arora, co-founder of Toddle, to explore how this innovative edtech platform is transforming the way educators plan, collaborate, and teach. Based in Bangalore, Deepanshu shares Toddle’s mission to save teachers time, elevate their teaching practices, and integrate AI seamlessly into the classroom.
Discover Toddle’s latest features, including AI tutors and smart lesson planning tools, designed to support progressive education methodologies like competency-based assessments, project-based learning, and interdisciplinary teaching. Learn how Toddle addresses key challenges for educators, including data privacy and efficient workflows, while offering meaningful insights for schools and teachers.
Deepanshu also delves into the potential of AI agents and how they can simplify data-driven teaching, empowering educators to focus on what matters most—student success. If you're an educator or edtech enthusiast looking to embrace technology in education, this episode is packed with practical insights and future-focused strategies.
Topics Covered:
The story behind Toddle’s creation
How Toddle saves teachers 10+ hours a week
Integrating AI into teaching workflows
Supporting progressive education and interdisciplinary learning
Addressing data privacy and security concerns
Advice for educators and aspiring edtech entrepreneurs
📌 Explore Toddle: https://toddleapp.com🎙️ Subscribe for more education insights
#EdTech #Toddle #AIinEducation #EducationInnovation #TeachingTools #TheInternationalClassroomPodcast #ProgressiveEducation #AIforTeachers

Dec 21, 2024 • 17min
Future-Proofing STEM Education: Preparing Students for 2050 and Beyond | Ep.2
What will STEM education look like in 2050? Will we teach quantum computing to primary students or prepare learners for interplanetary challenges?
In Episode 2 of our STEM mini-podcast series, leading up to the STEM Learning Conference in Dubai this February, we explore the future of STEM education and how educators can prepare for a world where STEM evolves faster than ever.
Join host Alex Gray and guest Alex Moore, STEM Consultant and AI Leader, as they discuss:
✅ Cutting-edge fields like quantum computing, bioengineering, and AI that educators need to embrace.
✅ The rise of digital literacy, critical thinking, and problem-solving as essential skills for students.
✅ The importance of sustainable technologies, hydrogen energy, and decarbonization in future STEM careers.
✅ How CPD can help teachers integrate future-ready concepts into classrooms today.
This episode is packed with forward-thinking insights and actionable strategies for educators passionate about preparing students for the challenges of tomorrow.
Whether you’re a STEM teacher, education leader, or lifelong learner, this is your guide to future-proofing STEM learning!
🗓️ Don’t miss the STEM Learning Conference in Dubai on February 22nd, 2025, at GEMS Winchester School.
🔗 Links & Resources:
STEM Learning Conference info: https://www.stem.org.uk/stem-for-all
Connect with STEM Learning: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stem-learning-ltd/posts/?feedView=all
Follow the International Classroom Podcast: https://linktr.ee/ticpodcast

Dec 20, 2024 • 45min
Student Wellbeing, AI in Schools, and Personal Growth: Jon Ford's Vision with YouHQ
Discover how Jon Ford, CEO of YouHQ, is transforming student wellbeing and personal development in schools worldwide. In this insightful episode of The International Classroom Podcast, Jon shares the story behind YouHQ—a platform that helps students build resilience, set goals, and foster personal growth.
We discuss key topics like:
➡️ The international rise of student wellbeing initiatives.
➡️ How YouHQ integrates seamlessly into school curriculums.
➡️ The role of technology, AI, and safeguarding in education.
➡️ The challenges of balancing academic achievement and holistic development
.➡️ Emerging trends in education and their impact on student mental health.
---------------------------------------------------------------------Learn more about YouHQ: https://www.youhq.co.uk/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-ford-5a429617/
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---------------------------------------------------------------------Subscribe to The International Classroom podcast for more episodes that bring you to the heart of educational innovation, and join us as we continue to explore how technology and traditional teaching methods can coexist to shape a brighter future for all learners.

Dec 19, 2024 • 46min
Ethical AI for Education: Alex from TAISK on Empowering Teachers and Professionals
Discover how Alex from TAISK is changing education through ethical AI in this episode of The International Classroom Podcast. We discuss the challenges and opportunities of integrating AI in education, exploring how TAISK empowers teachers, schools, and professionals with cutting-edge tools designed to save time, reduce workload, and enhance productivity.
Alex shares his journey of building TAISK, a platform that enables users to create AI chatbots and agents tailored to their specific needs—whether it’s supporting students, streamlining school processes, or helping businesses grow. With a focus on data privacy, ethical considerations, and accessibility, TAISK is paving the way for educators and professionals to take control of AI’s potential.
---------------------------------------------------------------------Explore TAISK: https://app.taisk.com/login
Connect with Alex on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexander-fahie/
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Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2zGUdthbVSYIYNRySzXUSY?si=03227d0b06274977
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Subscribe to The International Classroom podcast for more episodes that bring you to the heart of educational innovation, and join us as we continue to explore how technology and traditional teaching methods can coexist to shape a brighter future for all learners.
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