The Edtech Minute

The core content, not a piece of technology, should be the focal point of a lesson or learning activity. 

​Featured Content

Chris Nesi is a high school social studies teacher, podcaster, and presenter who hosts The House of Edtech, co-hosts Podcast PD, and produces the wildly popular Google Teacher Tribe podcast. In our conversation, Chris and I talk about getting started podcasting and what we have each learned from having our own shows. Then we talk about imposter syndrome and the qualities of successful edtech leaders. 

Chris's podcast recommendations: The School of Podcasting, The Audacity to Podcast, Shows on the Education Podcast Network
Chris's teacher shoutout: Mrs. Maryann Cochran

What I'm Learning

Unleash Talent is a recently released book by Kara Knollmeyer that discusses how to identify and share the hidden talents inside yourself and the other adults in your school. 

The Edtech Minute

Unpacking the recent updates to Google Classroom. 

1. Classwork page
2. Gradning interface

My Google Classroom resource

Featured Content

Lacey Majors serves the Fox C-6 School District as a 6-12th grade gifted educator. Our conversation covers a wide variety of topics including Lacey's unique path to education and how it prepared her for her current role, and how technology helps Lacey build relationships with students, colleagues, and families. 

Lacey's spreadsheet template for weekly automated emails.
Jessica Lahay The Gift of Failure

Lacey's book recommendations: ​See How they Run, ​The Grade Cleanse, and The Hate you Give 
Lacey's recommended Twitter follows: Beth Houf
Lacey's teacher shout out: Mr. Todd Scott, principal of Seckman High School

What I'm Learning

I recently listened to episode 341 of Vicki Davis's 10 Minute Teacher podcast with guest Katie Martin. Check out this great episode called "A Learner Centered Innovation Model" at coolcatteacher.com/e341.

The Edtech Minute

How can we ensure that our students are connected to the real world when they are learning in our classrooms?

Featured Content

Dr. Amy Zielinski currently serves the Ladue School District in St. Louis, MO as the assistant superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction. In our conversation, Amy talks about important considerations when planning professional development all the way from a district vision to best practices for planning individual PD sessions. 

Best Practice for structuring PD: "10 and 2, chunk and chew" - for every 10 minutes of instruction, allow 2 minutes of processing time

Amy Burvall's White Crayon video

Amy's book recommendations: The Artisan Teacher by Mike Rutherford and Intention: Critical Creativity in the Classroom by Amy Burvall and Dan Ryder
Amy's recommended Twitter follows: Jay McTighe, Rick Wormeli, Anthony Muhammad, and JP Prezzavento (that's me!)

Give Amy a shout out on Twitter! Connect with her @dramy_z

What I'm Learning

How can we utilize technology to amplify our students' thinking in math class?

​Digital Turn and Talk

The Edtech Minute

Selecting the right tool for the right task at the right time.

Featured Content

Eva Rudolph serves Fox Middle School as a math and leadership teacher, along with helping students produce powerful and popular videos. Eva was recently recognized as the 2018 Fox C-6 School District Teacher of the Year. In our conversation, Eva shares how she implements design thinking in both her math and leadership class. 
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FMS SWEET's YouTube Channel
Doug Deitz Ted Talk

Eva's book recommendation: Mathematical Mindsets by Jo Boaler
Eva's recommended Twitter follows: Manuel Herrera, Jimmy Fallon

Check out The Edtech PodSquad'sreflection on ISTE 2018. 

What I'm Learning

Marcia Kish led an amazing ISTE 2018 session on Blended Learning Coaching Strategies. Learn more about Marcia and her company DSD Professional Development on her website. 

Three phases of blended learning:

1. Station rotations
2. Data-informed mini-lessons
3. Project-based Learning and 20% time projects coupled with targeted mini-lessons

The Edtech Minute

Your Work Matters

Featured Content

Erin Lawson currently serves the Orchard Farm School District as the the District Technology Coach. Prior to this role, Erin taught 6th grade for 9 years.  Erin is the founder of the #StudentPD conference, a Google for Education Certified Trainer, and was recognized as a 2018 METC Spotlight Educator honored with the 2018 Educational Technology Association of St. Louis’s V.C. McCluer award for outstanding contributions to instructional technology programs in the St. Louis area.

Erin's Technology Team lesson plans
Strength Finder Test

Erin's book recommendation: Before we were yours by Lisa Windgate
Erin's recommended Twitter follows: Alice Keeler, George Curous

Check out The Edtech PodSquad, another podcast where Erin and I, along with 3 other amazing educators talk teaching, learning, and technology! bit.ly/etpodsquad

What I'm Learning

Check out The Cult of Pedagogy Podcast hosted by Jennifer Gonzalez. I specifically referenced episode 96. 

 Welcome to the Bits and Bytes of Education Podcast! I'm so excited to begin my podcasting journey with this short preview episode of my new show! The preview show will give an overview of what listeners can expect during this bi-weekly, 20-30 minute podcast. 

For now, The Bits and Bytes of Education is available on PodBeam and Apple Podcasts, and look for it to be available on Google Play and other services soon!