Easy EdTech Podcast with Monica Burns

Latest Episodes:

Building Coaching Partnerships That Stick with Chrissy Beltran - 392 Oct 13, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, I chat with Chrissy Beltran, instructional coaching consultant and founder of Buzzing with Ms. B, about defining the coaching role and building coaching partnerships that stick. You'll also hear why video coaching is her favorite low-lift, high-return strategy, how the low, moderate, and high impact tiers in her new book help coaches choose their next move, and what differentiated support looks like when you're helping teachers adopt a new tech tool. If you want to make every interaction with a teacher count, this episode has you covered!

Show notes: https://classtechtips.com/2026/10/13/coaching-partnerships-392/

Sponsored by my free weekly newsletter: https://ClassTechTips.com/newsletter

Follow Chrissy Beltran on social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissy-beltran-898756263/

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Take your pick of free EdTech resources: https://classtechtips.com/free-stuff-favorites/

Quick Strategies for Using Podcasts in the Classroom - 391 Oct 06, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, I share practical ways to use podcasts in the classroom, from selecting student-friendly episodes to setting a clear purpose for listening. You'll also hear tips on using transcripts for reading support, integrating podcasts into group work, and encouraging students to create their own podcasts. If you want to boost engagement and support literacy skills with podcasts in the classroom, this episode has you covered!

Show notes: https://classtechtips.com/2026/10/06/podcasts-in-the-classroom-391/

Sponsored by my free weekly newsletter: https://ClassTechTips.com/newsletter

Follow Monica on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/classtechtips/

Take your pick of free EdTech resources: https://classtechtips.com/free-stuff-favorites/

How to Rethink Screen Time and Build Inclusive Learning Environments - Bonus Episode with VEX Robotics Oct 02, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, I chat with Jason McKenna, Vice President of Global Educational Strategy for VEX Robotics, about designing inclusive classroom ecosystems and rethinking the screen time debate. You'll also hear how an accessibility framework reshaped the way VEX builds its tools, why Jason compares learning to gardening, and how hands-on robotics makes abstract coding concepts concrete for students. If you want to create a classroom where every learner has a meaningful way in, this episode has you covered!

Show notes: https://classtechtips.com/2026/10/02/rethink-screen-time-bonus/

Sponsored by VEX Robotics: https://vexrobotics.com

Follow Jason McKenna on social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-mckenna/

Follow Monica on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/classtechtips/

Take your pick of free EdTech resources: https://classtechtips.com/free-stuff-favorites/

Favorite Strategies for Designing Resources for Students with Sela Estelle - 390 Sep 29, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, I chat with Sela Estelle, an educator and designer who helps teachers create classroom resources with design in mind, about designing resources for students. You'll also hear why the quality of your design has to match the quality of your content, the two design principles Sela wishes every teacher knew, and how she thinks about designing for a screen versus a printed page. If you want to make the resources you are already creating clearer, more engaging, and easier for students to actually use, this episode has you covered!

Show notes: https://classtechtips.com/2026/09/29/designing-resources-for-students-390/

Sponsored by my free EdTech Essentials study guide: https://ClassTechTips.com/studyguide

Follow Sela Estelle on social: https://www.instagram.com/designs.and.such

Follow Monica on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/classtechtips/

Take your pick of free EdTech resources: https://classtechtips.com/free-stuff-favorites/

How to Take Your Students Around the World with AI - 389 Sep 22, 2026

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In this episode, I share ten ways to take your students around the world through virtual field trips and global learning with AI. You'll also hear about practical tools and sample prompts for creating tours, videos, reading activities, and creative projects connected to places around the world. If you want to make global learning with AI feel approachable and easy to bring into your classroom, this episode has you covered!

Show notes: https://classtechtips.com/2026/09/22/global-learning-with-ai-389/

Sponsored by my free EdTech Essentials study guide: https://ClassTechTips.com/studyguide

Follow Monica on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/classtechtips/

Take your pick of free EdTech resources: https://classtechtips.com/free-stuff-favorites/

How AI Can Supercharge Education Around the World - Bonus Episode with Efekta Education Sep 18, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, I chat with Dr. Stephen Hodges, CEO of Efekta Education, about how AI can supercharge education in the developing world. You'll hear how teachers in Brazil use a flipped classroom model with AI, how personalized instruction can address Bloom's two sigma problem, and what schools need to get right before rolling out AI tools. If you want to see what thoughtful, AI-powered learning looks like around the world, this episode has you covered!

Show notes: https://classtechtips.com/2026/09/18/supercharge-education-bonus/

Sponsored by Efekta Education: https://Efekta.com

Follow Monica on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/classtechtips/

Take your pick of free EdTech resources: https://classtechtips.com/free-stuff-favorites/

What to Use Instead of Worksheets with Dr. Jessica Espinoza - 388 Sep 15, 2026

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In this episode, I chat with Dr. Jessica Espinoza, university professor of curriculum and instruction, about what it really means to use meaningful learning experiences instead of worksheets. You'll also hear how sketchnoting builds reading comprehension, why thinking maps are the most natural swap for a worksheet, and how AI can help you create listening tasks that lead to deeper thinking. If you want practical routines that make student thinking visible this school year, this episode has you covered!

Show notes: https://classtechtips.com/2026/09/15/instead-of-worksheets-388/

Sponsored by my free EdTech Essentials study guide: https://ClassTechTips.com/studyguide

Follow Dr. Jessica Espinoza on social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-espinoza-ed-d-210b731b5/

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Take your pick of free EdTech resources: https://classtechtips.com/free-stuff-favorites/

Getting Started with Gemini Notebook in the Classroom - 387 Sep 08, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, I share what you need to know about Gemini Notebook, the new name for NotebookLM, and why this Google AI tool is worth a spot in your teacher toolkit. You'll also hear what changed, what stayed the same, and favorite features to try, like debate-style audio overviews, customized slide decks, and infographics made from your own sources. If you want a quick guide to using Gemini Notebook in the classroom for lesson prep and student resources, this episode has you covered!

Show notes: https://classtechtips.com/2026/09/08/gemini-notebook-in-the-classroom-387/

Sponsored by my free EdTech Essentials study guide: https://ClassTechTips.com/studyguide

Follow Monica on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/classtechtips/

Take your pick of free EdTech resources: https://classtechtips.com/free-stuff-favorites/

Strategies for Keeping Student Thinking at the Center of AI with Crystal Uhiren - 386 Sep 01, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, I chat with Crystal Uhiren, an instructional technology facilitator and certified Apple Learning Coach, about keeping student thinking at the center of AI use. You'll also hear practical, low-prep strategies like the two-minute idea sort, mid-class progress pit stops, and screenshot check-ins that build accountability without adding to your workload. If you want to embrace AI while protecting the productive struggle that helps students actually learn, this episode has you covered!

Show notes: https://classtechtips.com/2026/09/01/Student-Thinking-386/

Sponsored by my free EdTech Essentials study guide: https://ClassTechTips.com/studyguide

Follow Crystal Uhiren on social: https://x.com/MrsUTeachesTech

Follow Monica on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/classtechtips/

Take your pick of free EdTech resources: https://classtechtips.com/free-stuff-favorites/

10 Classroom Book Study Ideas for Any Subject - 385 Aug 25, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, I share ten classroom book study ideas that use AI to support reading experiences from start to finish. You'll also hear how AI-powered tools can help you build background knowledge, introduce vocabulary, spark discussion, create paired passages, and gather student feedback in any subject. If you want to use AI for book studies in practical and engaging ways, this episode has you covered!

Show notes: https://classtechtips.com/2026/08/25/classroom-book-study-ideas-385/

Sponsored by Work With Monica: https://classtechtips.com/events-and-workshops/

Follow Monica on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/classtechtips/

Take your pick of free EdTech resources: https://classtechtips.com/free-stuff-favorites/