EdTech Bites Podcast

Calling all educators! Feeling burnt out before Thanksgiving even hits? This episode's for you! In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Matthew Joseph of X-Factor EDU, Jon Laven, and Jeff Plourd of Snorkl.app to get you pumped for the X-Factor EDU Virtual 5K Turkey Trot sponsored by Snorkl!

This fun, FREE event is all about educator wellness, giving you a chance to prioritize your health and connect with fellow teachers from around the world. We dive deep into:

• How the Turkey Trot came to be
• Why Snorkl is on board as a sponsor
• Training tips to get you ready for race day (or walk day!)
• How to sign up and join the virtual fun!

Plus, learn how you can score some sweet prizes just for participating!

Don't miss out! Head over to xfactor.link/trot to register and get ready to move your body this Thanksgiving break! This episode is perfect for any teacher, administrator, or educator looking to boost their wellbeing and connect with their amazing community.

Make sure you purchase a copy of my book Cooking Up Experiences In The Classroom: Focus On Experiences, Not Just Lessons from Amazon.

Why are so many educators flocking to Bluesky? In this episode, Alice Keeler shares her journey to Bluesky, how it champions data privacy, and why it’s the next big thing for social media in edtech. Learn how Bluesky empowers educators, its unique features, and how to get started today. Tune in for practical tips and insights to make the move smoother!

Connect With Gabriel Carrillo

• EdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.com
• EdTech Bites On Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/edtechbites.bsky.social
• EdTech Bites X: https://twitter.com/edtechbites
• EdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbites
• EdTech Bites Threads: https://www.threads.net/@edtechbites
• EdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/edtechbites
• EdTech Bites YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@edtechbites

About Alice Keeler

Alice Keeler has a BA in Mathematics and an MS in Educational Media Design and Technology. She started teaching high school math in 1999 in the laptop Algebra program. Alice has taught 1:1 her entire teaching career and is passionate about using technology to create student centered classrooms.

Paperless is not a pedagogy. We should not seek to use technology to save paper, but rather to improve learning, improve relationships, and improve student engagement.

The tool is not what creates the learning, but rather an intentional approach for how a tool can create feedback loops, allow choice and voice, allows for communication of ideas in a creative medium, and increase collaboration.

Connect With Alice Keeler

• Alice’s Website: https://alicekeeler.com/
• Alice On Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/alicekeeler.com
• Bluesky Educators Spreadsheet: https://tinyurl.com/edusky

This episode is sponsored by MagicSchool AI. If you’re ready to transform the way you teach, With over 3.5 million users worldwide, MagicSchool AI is the #1 educational AI platform. They’re committed to data privacy for all users in order to keep classrooms protected. Save time and focus on creating experiences with your students with MagicSchool AI. To learn more and get started, visit www.magicschool.ai

In this episode, I’m joined by Victoria Thompson while at the Georgia Educational Technology Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. We catch up to discuss the difference between badge collecting and building edtech certifications. A lot of us educators become ambassadors for companies but she unpacks the ways we can align what we do and strategically plan out our career with true edtech certifications. This is not to say that badge collecting is a bad thing. Being an ambassador for an edtech company means true understanding and application of that particular product which empowers teachers in many ways. She comes at it from a different angle and aligns skills with career planning and community building. You NEED to give this episode a listen and connect with Victoria. Buen provecho!

Connect With Gabriel Carrillo

• EdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.com
• EdTech Bites X: https://twitter.com/edtechbites
• EdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbites
• EdTech Bites Threads: https://www.threads.net/@edtechbites
• EdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/edtechbites
• EdTech Bites YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@edtechbites

Connect With Victoria Thompson

• Victoria on X: https://x.com/VictoriaTheTech
• Victoria on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoriarosethompson/

This episode is sponsored by MagicSchool AI. If you’re ready to transform the way you teach, With over 3.5 million users worldwide, MagicSchool AI is the #1 educational AI platform. They’re committed to data privacy for all users in order to keep classrooms protected. Save time and focus on creating experiences with your students with MagicSchool AI. To learn more and get started, visit www.magicschool.ai

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Desiree Alexander while at the Georgia Educational Technology Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. She discusses Student Cybersafety and how that is geared towards students, teachers, and parents. She gives us a couple or red flags to look for when having conversations with our students and children and how to have those open conversations with one another continuously. This episode is full of great advice for any student, teacher, and parent so make sure you give it a listen. Buen provecho!

Connect With Gabriel Carrillo

• EdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.com
• EdTech Bites X: https://twitter.com/edtechbites
• EdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbites
• EdTech Bites Threads: https://www.threads.net/@edtechbites
• EdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/edtechbites
• EdTech Bites YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@edtechbites

Connect With Dr. Desiree Alexander

• Educator Alexander’s Website: https://www.educatoralexander.com/
• Educator Alexander on X: https://x.com/educatoralex
• Educator Alexander on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EducatorAlexander
• Educator Alexander on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/educatoralexander/
• Educator Alexander on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Educatoralexander
• Educator Alexander on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/educatoralexander/

This episode is sponsored by MagicSchool AI. If you’re ready to transform the way you teach, With over 3.5 million users worldwide, MagicSchool AI is the #1 educational AI platform. They’re committed to data privacy for all users in order to keep classrooms protected. Save time and focus on creating experiences with your students with MagicSchool AI. To learn more and get started, visit www.magicschool.ai

In this episode, I’m joined by Kathryn Laster while at the Georgia Educational Technology Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. We’ve been connected and have crossed paths at various conferences but never formally met until GaETC 2024. She’s served in various roles in education such as a math teacher, Instructional Technology Coach, and Digital Learning Consultant. She’s passionate about building professional development and professional learning. We discuss the difference between the two and then…the conversation comes full circle! Tisha Poncio joins us at the table because Tisha was a teacher in one of Kathryn’s cohorts years ago. These two take us through the journey and Tisha lets us know how much of a pivotal role Kathryn played in her educational journey. This is such a special episode for these two that you have to hear for yourself. While listening to this, think about who has made an impact on your own educational journey and what you’d like to say to them. Buen provecho!

Connect With Gabriel Carrillo

• EdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.com
• EdTech Bites X: https://twitter.com/edtechbites
• EdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbites
• EdTech Bites Threads: https://www.threads.net/@edtechbites
• EdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/edtechbites
• EdTech Bites YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@edtechbites

Connect With Kathryn Laster

• Kathryn Laster X: https://x.com/kklaster
• Kathryn Laster on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kathrynkl/
• Kathryn Laster on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathrynlaster/

Connect With Tisha Poncio

• Tisha Poncio X: https://x.com/TxTechChick
• Tisha Poncio on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tishaponcio/
• Tisha Poncio on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tishaponcio/
• Tisha Poncio on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tisha.poncio

This episode is sponsored by MagicSchool AI. If you’re ready to transform the way you teach, With over 3.5 million users worldwide, MagicSchool AI is the #1 educational AI platform. They’re committed to data privacy for all users in order to keep classrooms protected. Save time and focus on creating experiences with your students with MagicSchool AI. To learn more and get started, visit www.magicschool.ai

In this episode, I’m joined by Manny Faces while at the Georgia Educational Technology Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. He’s the founding director of The Center For Hip Hop Advocacy. I came across his session title while scrolling through the GaETC app and the title of his session “Hip Hop x STEM = Engagement” caught my attention. I was able to find him and ask him to tbe a part of the show to discuss his work and how Hip Hop ties into education. I’m a HUGE Hip Hop head so this conversation is very organic and will probably require a part 2 at some point. Give this episode a listen because you’ll be surprised to hear how many connections there are between Hip Hop and education. Buen provecho!

Connect With Gabriel Carrillo

• EdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.com
• EdTech Bites X: https://twitter.com/edtechbites
• EdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbites
• EdTech Bites Threads: https://www.threads.net/@edtechbites
• EdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/edtechbites
• EdTech Bites YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@edtechbites

About Manny Faces

Manny Faces is an award-winning journalist, public speaker, podcast professional, DJ, and, if none of that is impressive enough, living kidney donor. Much of Manny’s work focuses on preserving, protecting, and promoting the ability of Hip Hop music and culture to improve society and uplift humanity -- particularly in areas including education, science and technology, health and wellness, politics and social justice, business and entrepreneurship, the fine arts, and much more.

Connect With Manny Faces

• Manny Faces Website: https://www.mannyfaces.com/
• Manny Faces on X: https://x.com/mannyfaces
• Manny Faces on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MannyFacesOfficial/
• Manny Faces on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mannyfacesofficial/
• Manny Faces on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mannyfaces/

This episode is sponsored by MagicSchool AI. If you’re ready to transform the way you teach, With over 3.5 million users worldwide, MagicSchool AI is the #1 educational AI platform. They’re committed to data privacy for all users in order to keep classrooms protected. Save time and focus on creating experiences with your students with MagicSchool AI. To learn more and get started, visit www.magicschool.ai

In this episode, I’m joined by Angela Moore. She’s a Health Care Science Teacher in Muscogee County, GA with a passion for what she does in and out of the classroom. We discuss the positive impact that Career and Technical Education has on our students and how this educational strand puts students on the path to a career as soon as they leave high school. She shares some personal stories of seeing her ex-students on the job and how that makes her feel as an educator. This is an awesome topic and conversation with an even more awesome educator. Listen to this conversation because it will leave you thinking, “I wish they had that when I was in school”. Buen provecho!

Connect With Gabriel Carrillo

• EdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.com
• EdTech Bites X: https://twitter.com/edtechbites
• EdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbites
• EdTech Bites Threads: https://www.threads.net/@edtechbites
• EdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/edtechbites
• EdTech Bites YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@edtechbites

This episode is sponsored by MagicSchool AI. If you’re ready to transform the way you teach, With over 3.5 million users worldwide, MagicSchool AI is the #1 educational AI platform. They’re committed to data privacy for all users in order to keep classrooms protected. Save time and focus on creating experiences with your students with MagicSchool AI. To learn more and get started, visit www.magicschool.ai

In this episode, I’m joined chat with Meredith White to discuss how AI has effected the World Languages sector of education. Believe it or not, they’ve been ready for this and have been dealing with AI for quite some time. She is a wealth of knowledge and has a pretty big fan base in my neck of the woods. She’s humble about it but recognizes that she has a responsibility to her students and those that use her resources so she ensures that she puts best practices into what she creates for other World Language educators. This is a fun conversation and honestly, I can’t believe it took us so long to have a discussion on air. Give this episode a listen and share with your World Language teachers in your communities. Buen provecho!

Connect With Gabriel Carrillo

• EdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.com
• EdTech Bites X: https://twitter.com/edtechbites
• EdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbites
• EdTech Bites Threads: https://www.threads.net/@edtechbites
• EdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/edtechbites
• EdTech Bites YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@edtechbites

Connect With Meredith White

• Merediths’ Website: https://www.meredithwhite.info/
• Meredith on X: https://x.com/techMEWithyou
• Meredith On Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/prhsspanish/
• Meredith on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@techMEWithyou
• Meredith on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@techMEWithyou
• Meredith on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/techmewithyou/

This episode is sponsored by MagicSchool AI. If you’re ready to transform the way you teach, With over 3.5 million users worldwide, MagicSchool AI is the #1 educational AI platform. They’re committed to data privacy for all users in order to keep classrooms protected. Save time and focus on creating experiences with your students with MagicSchool AI. To learn more and get started, visit www.magicschool.ai

In this episode, I’m joined by Kristen Brooks at the GaETC Conference in Atlanta, GA. We catch up and discuss how she is utilizing AI with her students in creative ways. She also lets us know her administration and parent feedback on these projects that incorporate AI in new ways. She discusses how she exposes her students to this technology in a safe and ethical manner with best practices to ensure that students know how to properly use it when unsupervised. Give this episode a listen because I can guarantee Kristen will teach you a new way to use this game-changing tool. Buen provecho!

Connect With Gabriel Carrillo

• EdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.com
• EdTech Bites X: https://twitter.com/edtechbites
• EdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbites
• EdTech Bites Threads: https://www.threads.net/@edtechbites
• EdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/edtechbites
• EdTech Bites YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@edtechbites

Connect With Kristen Brooks

• Kristen’s Website: http://www.kristenbrooks.net/
• Kristen on X: https://x.com/KristenBrooks77
• Kristen on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristenbrooks77
• Kristen on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIIAPz1Mzz5Y7yElgTcJJrA
• Kristen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristenbrooks77/