Edtech Throwdown

Episode 168: Leveraging Social Media for Creative Classroom Projects

Welcome to the EdTech Throwdown This is episode 168 called “Leveraging Social Media for Creative Classroom Projects”. In this episode, we’ll talk about how social media inspired projects can put a creative and engaging spin on a variety of classroom projects. This is another episode you don’t want to miss, check it out!

Segment 1:

Narrative: What are nick and guise’s go-to social media platforms?

Having a class social media account can be a powerful motivator and a great way for some positive PR

Just so you know, Canva can be used as the edtech for ALL of these ideas, but we tried to change it up.

Segment 2:

Project ideas:

1. Make a meme project
2. Example: Generate class rules using memes, learn new vocabulary, identify the novel using memes, describe a historical event (thanks NSTA blog!)
3. Edtech: Just look them up, there are many. Meme Creator, Meme Generator and Quick Meme are some to check out.
4. Gif creation
5. Example: Create a gif that models a series of exercises for certain parts of the body. Each student gets a different muscle group or body part.
6. Edtech: Canva animations
7. Edtech: Lots of video editing platforms let you download the video as a gif
8. Historical figure instagram post
9. Example: Create an instagram post that is a series of 4 (minimum) photos of your assigned figure doing something. One of the 4 must be a “selfie” and they must all be connected to something this person MIGHT post about, were they on Insta today.
10. Edtech: Adobe Express - A great, free Canva alternative
11. Mock twitter debate
12. Example: In this project, students will participate in a mock debate as if they were on the Twitter platform (now known as X). This exercise is designed to improve writing and argumentation skills in Spanish, as well as to encourage the ability to debate respectfully in a public setting. Students will not use real Twitter but will write their posts and comments as if they were on the platform. Debate Topic: "Should cities implement more bike lanes to encourage bicycle use?"
13. Edtech: Create a template in Google slides that has images from real X posts with the words remove. Students insert text boxes on top of those blank spaces.
14. At home science tik tok video
15. Example: Create a 1 minute to 3 minute (tiktok times) at-home science video and explain what is going on in the caption. For example, Slime is popular right now. Make the slime, film it, write a brief caption that explains the...

Edtech Throwdown

Episode 167: The Great Debate 12 Teaching Strategies and Their Place in Education (Part 2)

Welcome to the EdTech Throwdown This is episode 167 called “The Great Debate 12 Teaching Strategies and Their Place in Education (ParT 2)”. In this episode, we’ll talk about the current teacher practices and whether they are still relevant in education! This is another episode you don’t want to miss, check it out!

Segment 1:

Narrative: It's time to reflect on some of the most used teaching practices and discuss whether they are still relevant

Segment 2:

PART 1:

1. Lecture: The traditional method of teaching where the instructor delivers information to students through verbal presentation.
2. Blended Learning: an educational strategy that combines multiple teaching methods to help students learn more effectively. It usually combines traditional classroom instruction with digital learning, but can also include other face-to-face and online activities.
3. Case Study: Presenting real-life scenarios or situations for students to analyze and apply their knowledge to problem-solving.
4. Project-Based Learning: Engaging students in hands-on projects that require them to apply their knowledge and skills to solve real-world problems.
5. Problem-Based Learning: Presenting students with authentic, complex problems to solve, promoting critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
6. STEM Learning: Stem education focuses on practical application, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world scenarios. Students engage in hands-on projects that mirror actual challenges they may encounter in their future careers.

PART 2:

1. Narrative: using scenarios or a narratives to lead a class project
2. Flipped Classroom: Reversing the traditional learning model by having students review instructional materials at home and using classroom time for discussions and activities.
3. Discussion: Facilitating class discussions to encourage active participation and critical thinking among students.
4. Debate/Argumentation: Small groups simultaneously
5. Gamification: Incorporating game elements, such as competition, rewards, and challenges, into the learning process to increase student engagement and motivation.
6. Independent Study

Edtech Throwdown:

Vote on twitter @edtechthrowdown and under the pinned post on the profile.

Segment 3: Where to Find EdTech Throwdown

Do us a few favors:

1. Subscribe to the Edtech Throwdown Podcast

Welcome to the EdTech Throwdown This is episode 166 called “The Great Debate 12 Teaching Strategies and Their Place in Education Part 1 ”. In this episode, we’ll talk about the resources that we’ll be exploring while on this year’s summer vacation! This is another episode you don’t want to miss, check it out!

Segment 1:

Narrative: It's time to reflect on some of the most used teaching practices and discuss whether they are still relevant

Segment 2:

1. Lecture: The traditional method of teaching where the instructor delivers information to students through verbal presentation.
2. Blended Learning: an educational strategy that combines multiple teaching methods to help students learn more effectively. It usually combines traditional classroom instruction with digital learning, but can also include other face-to-face and online activities.
3. Case Study: Presenting real-life scenarios or situations for students to analyze and apply their knowledge to problem-solving.
4. Project-Based Learning: Engaging students in hands-on projects that require them to apply their knowledge and skills to solve real-world problems.
5. Problem-Based Learning: Presenting students with authentic, complex problems to solve, promoting critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
6. STEM Learning: Stem education focuses on practical application, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world scenarios. Students engage in hands-on projects that mirror actual challenges they may encounter in their future careers.

Edtech Throwdown:

Vote on twitter @edtechthrowdown and under the pinned post on the profile.

Segment 3: Where to Find EdTech Throwdown

Do us a few favors:

1. Subscribe to the Edtech Throwdown Podcast
2. Apple Podcasts
3. Spotify
4. Amazon Podcasts
5. Stitcher

Welcome to the EdTech Throwdown This is episode 165 called “Edtech Resources for the Summer”. In this episode, we’ll talk about the resources that we’ll be exploring while on this year’s summer vacation! This is another episode you don’t want to miss, check it out!

Segment 1:

Narrative: Summer time talk

Segment 2:

Guise’s Books

• Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek
• In the U.S. Marines during mealtime, Sinek explains, it’s common for the highest ranking officers to fix their plates last. This not only ensures everyone on the team is fed, but sends an important message: Leaders look after their people first. But Sinek’s people-first approach is only one component of a larger narrative that includes segments on creating a safe environment within your organization—he refers to this as the “Circle of Safety”—and the surprising impacts of what he calls “selfless chemicals” like serotonin and oxytocin on leadership style.

Nick’s Books

• Storytelling With Purpose: Digital Projects to Ignite Student Curiosity by Michael Hernandez: The book:
• Shows how to create uncheatable assessments through student-created story projects
• Helps educators create meaningful learning experiences by integrating edtech tools and storytelling into their curriculum.
• Shows how storytelling can help students activate higher-level thinking to conduct research, process ideas and information, and share the synthesis of these ideas with an audience.
• Illustrates how digital storytelling can help develop a mindset of collaboration, mental agility and resilience.
• Presents student examples, teacher case studies and sample lessons to demonstrate how to integrate student stories into curriculum in authentic ways.
• Offers flexibility, through sample projects that vary in degree of difficulty, so teachers can choose the best option based on their resources and unique situation.
• Schoolishness: Alienated Education and the Quest for Authentic, Joyful Learning by Susan D. Blum (Author)
• In Schoolishness, Susan D. Blum continues her journey as an anthropologist and educator. The author defines "schoolishness" as educational practices that emphasize packaged "learning," unimaginative teaching, uniformity, constant evaluation by others,...

Edtech Throwdown

Episode 164: How to Combat AI Misuse in Your Classroom

Welcome to the EdTech Throwdown This is episode 164 called “How to Combat AI Misuse in Your Classroom”. In this episode, we’ll talk about how to plan your classroom with a positive and pro-active approach to AI use! This is another episode you don’t want to miss, check it out!

Segment 1:

Narrative: Teachers questioning student work.

So let’s take a break while we go ask ChatGPT to write this episode for us, so that when we come back we can talk about how to deal with these issues in a positive and proactive way.

Segment 2:

1. Avoid The “Reactive” Approach
2. Don’t find yourself halfway through the year and angry because you can tell that a significant percentage of your students just used a chat bot to write their responses.
3. Set Clear Expectations (Be Proactive):
4. Syllabus Statement
5. Could align with a school policy if that is already established
6. Introductory days AI discussion
7. Ask students to share what they think about AI. Let them discuss, consider, and reflect.
8. Generate class rules together, almost like norms
9. Give them examples from real life where AI might be allowed, and then not allowed.
10. In college, they would likely see similar rules, where using AI to write for you is likely considered academic dishonesty and you would get expelled.
11. In life, you might use AI to begin the process of writing a best mans speech you need to give.
12. In a career, you might use it to plan out some talking points for an upcoming meeting or make an email sound more professional.
13. Assignment/Project Expectations
14. Clearly state acceptable/unacceptable uses of AI
15. Have some pre-written templates for different types of assignments and what types of AI-use might be acceptable. This way you can easily copy and paste them into assignment descriptions as needed.
16. Promote Positive Communication
17. Let students know that you aren’t out to “Catch Them”
18. Expose them to current AI literature
19. 8 Things Students Should know about AI by Ben Klieger
20. Best Practices
21. Show examples of good use of AI
22. Show examples of how you can tell the usage of AI
23. Turnitin AI Detection
24. Chrome Extensions
25. Draftback
26. Revision History
27. Clear expectations and detailed process
28. You may use AI for ____ purpose.

Edtech Throwdown

Episode 163: Fun with Digital Field Trips

Welcome to the EdTech Throwdown This is episode 163 called “Fun with Digital Field Trips”. In this episode, we’ll talk about some of our favorite options for fun and engaging virtual field trips. Time and money is always tight when it comes to education, and these resources can help bring some adventure to your classroom! This is another episode you don’t want to miss, check it out!

Segment 1:

Narrative: What’s your favorite field trip of all time?

Nick - Penn State Nuclear Energy Lab

We need to take a break to hear from Teach Better, but don’t go anywhere because when we come back we’re going to talk about all things virtual field trips.

Segment 2:

Fully Digital Field Trips:

• Access Mars
• Google Arts and Culture
• AirPano
• 360 Cities
• Dollar Street
• Historyview.org (Easter Island is a good one)

Curated Collections

• Google Maps Treks
• Discovery Education Virtual Field Trips
• Traveling Around the World: Virtual Tours and Field Trips

Theme Parks:

• Walt Disney World:
• Frozen Ever After ride
• It’s a Small World
• Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!

Edtech Throwdown

Episode 162:

Welcome to the EdTech Throwdown This is episode 162 called “The Edtech Throwdown: Edtech tools Tips and Tricks”. In this episode, we’ll share our famous edtech throwdown where Guise and I compete for edtech glory. Who has the better tools, tips and tricks? Listen in and decide for yourself! This is another episode you don’t want to miss, check it out!

Segment 1:

Narrative: Sneak peak at an Edtech Throwdown Competition

We need to take a break to hear from Teach Better, but don’t go anywhere because when we come back we’re going to break down this year's edtech march madness bracket.

Segment 2:

Nick’s

• Chrome Action Chips
• Pessimists Archive
• Dollar Street
• Revision History (Ext)
• Awesome Screen Recorder
• FigJam
• Playphrase.me

Guise’s

• Tango
• Wordwall
• Breshna.io
• Wavacity
• Draftback
• Allsides
• PrintfriendlyPDF

Edtech Throwdown:

Vote on twitter @edtechthrowdown and under the pinned post on the profile.

Segment 3: Where to Find EdTech Throwdown

Do us a few favors:

1. Subscribe to the Edtech Throwdown Podcast

Edtech Throwdown

Episode 161: The Edtech Throwdown: AI Edition

Welcome to the EdTech Throwdown This is episode 161 called “The Edtech Throwdown: AI Edition”. In this episode, we’ll share our famous edtech throwdown where Guise and I compete for AI edtech glory. Who has the better tools? Listen in and decide for yourself! This is another episode you don’t want to miss, check it out!

Segment 1:

Narrative:

We need to take a break to hear from Teach Better, but don’t go anywhere because when we come back we’re going to break down this year's edtech march madness bracket.

Segment 2: Edtech Throwdown

NIck’s

• Diffit
• ChatPDF
• Quizizz AI
• school.ai
• Brisk
• Gamma
• Goblin Tools

Guise’s

• MagicSchool AI
• Sorcerer
• Textblaze
• Notebooklm.google
• Eduaide
• notebooklm.google.com
• Perplexity Extension

Edtech Throwdown: Who presented the best ai #edtech tools?

Vote on twitter @edtechthrowdown and under the pinned post on the profile.

Segment 3: Where to Find EdTech Throwdown

Do us a few favors:

1. Subscribe to the Edtech Throwdown Podcast
2. Apple Podcasts
3. Spotify