EdTech Bites Podcast: Daily Summaries Delivered

Ep. 301 | 3 Steps to Hook Distracted Students w/ Tara Martin

Engagement isn't about flashy tools, it is about the hook. When students feel connected to a topic, they retain more and take ownership of their learning. In this episode, I sit down with Tara Martin to explore how commercial modeling agency secrets can revolutionize literacy and content delivery across any grade level. And you thought Derek Zoolander was the only one who was able to teach you anything about modeling agencies…What you will learn in this episode:The 3-step "Feel It, See It, Want It" engagement frameworkHow short-form video trailers drive library checkouts and deep literacyStrategies to help students turn classroom assignments into real-world creator skillsHow to apply 30-second commercial hooks across non-tested content areasGive this a shot in your classroom this school year and let us know how it goes. Buen provecho!Connect With Gabriel CarrilloEdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.comEdTech Bites On Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/edtechbites.bsky.socialEdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbitesEdTech Bites X: https://twitter.com/edtechbitesEdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/edtechbitesEdTech Bites On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@edtechbitesEdTech Bites YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@edtechbitesAbout Tara MartinTara Martin is a nationally recognized educator, speaker, and author known for inspiring educators to lead with authenticity, courage, and heart. With experience as a classroom teacher, instructional coach, and district administrator, she brings practical strategies that ignite engagement, build strong relationships, and create meaningful learning experiences.She is the author of Be REAL: Educate from the Heart and Cannonball In, and the creator of #BookSnaps, a global reading strategy used in classrooms across seventeen countries.Tara challenges educators to embrace innovation, prioritize human connection, and Cannonball In to their full potential.Connect With Tara MartinTara’s Website: https://www.tarammartin.com/Tara On X: https://x.com/TaraMartinEDUTara On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tarammartin.real/Tara On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/taram.martin.1Tara On Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tarammartinreal/

Ep. 300 | The 3 Big Mistakes I Made Over 300 Episodes And The Future

This is it! Episode 300!Hitting episode 300 meant looking in the mirror, literally and figuratively. After nine years, 100 pounds down, and hundreds of conversations, I am opening up about the biggest mistakes I made along the way. From fighting imposter syndrome to dumping the illusion of perfectionism, this episode breaks down three hard truths every content creator and educator needs to hear. Plus, I am sharing why I am cutting the fluff, ditching the endless AI hype, and pivoting back to raw, human centered connection and in person conversations. Grab a smoothie and let us celebrate this major milestone together. Buen provecho!Connect With Gabriel CarrilloEdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.comEdTech Bites On Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/edtechbites.bsky.socialEdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbitesEdTech Bites X: https://twitter.com/edtechbitesEdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/edtechbitesEdTech Bites On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@edtechbitesEdTech Bites YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@edtechbites

Ep. 299 | Why This Ex-Rockstar Audio Engineer Built Student-Proof Headsets w/ Mark Howlett

This episode is sponsored by TWT Audio, creators of durable classroom headsets designed by educators to survive real student use. Stop wasting your school budget replacing cheap headphones every year and head to TWTAudio.com to hear the difference.Tired of watching your school tech budget get chewed to pieces? We all know the heartbreak of “that bin” filled with broken classroom headphones. In this episode, I chat with Mark Howlett, Chief Operating Officer at TWT Audio to learn his thought process while designing student-proof tech. He went from being an audio engineer and working with music legends to working with our most important artists… students! He has a passion for making audio crystal clear for our students while maintaining safety for them as well, without breaking the bank. Learn how TWT’s modular headphone designs allow you to swap a single cord in seconds for a fraction of the cost, saving schools thousands of dollars. We break down the hidden costs of cheap equipment and how to adapt classroom gear without buying entirely new setups every time ports change. Stop throwing budget money in the trash.Connect With Gabriel CarrilloEdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.comEdTech Bites On Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/edtechbites.bsky.socialEdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbitesEdTech Bites X: https://twitter.com/edtechbitesEdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/edtechbitesEdTech Bites On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@edtechbitesEdTech Bites YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@edtechbitesAbout Mark HowlettMark Howlett is TWT Audio VP Director of Research & Development, as well as the sound engineer and developer of ThinkWrite’s products. He is an award winning Los Angeles recording engineer and studio designer credited with multiple gold and platinum albums, Emmy Awards with over 45 years experience in sound design. Mark has been instrumental in creating a sound curve for the ThinkWrite products that is both safe for the ears, as well as high quality in its sound reproduction.Connect With TWT AudioTWT Audio Website: https://www.twtaudio.comTWT Audio On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/twtaudio/

Ep. 298 | 3 Big Lies High School Seniors Believe

High school graduation brings intense pressure to have the next decade completely mapped out by the time graduates walk the stage. In this episode, I tear down the three biggest myths the Class of 2026 is believing right now regarding career paths, college majors, and life after high school. If you are a stressed-out senior trying to navigate the unknown, or a parent attempting to support them through the anxiety, this raw and personal discussion delivers crucial perspective. Discover why lacking a ten-year plan is actually an advantage, how to handle the fear of making the wrong choice, and a special message on the true definition of success. Buen provecho!Connect With Gabriel CarrilloEdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.comEdTech Bites On Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/edtechbites.bsky.socialEdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbitesEdTech Bites X: https://twitter.com/edtechbitesEdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/edtechbitesEdTech Bites On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@edtechbitesEdTech Bites YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@edtechbites

Ep. 297 | Most Assignments Were Broken Even Before AI w/ Annie Kim Sytsma

This episode is sponsored by TWT Audio. Are your students dealing with broken headsets, poor audio quality, or unreliable microphones at moments that matter most? TWT Audio was built for educators, by educators, designing headsets specifically for real classroom environments, durable enough to last, and comfortable for all-day use. With over 5 million headsets and headphones sold, schools trust TWT because they just work, delivering consistent performance while simplifying technology.Instead of replacing cheap headsets year after year, invest in a solution that schools nationwide trust every day.TWT Audio — hear the difference.AI isn’t going away but the way schools are handling it might be doing more harm than good. In this episode, I chat with Annie Kim Sytsma from Michigan Virtual to unpack what’s really happening inside schools right now. From districts banning AI to others fully embracing it, the reality is messy and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution.We dive into:Why banning AI is no longer realisticHow teachers are redesigning assignments to outsmart shortcutsWhat students are actually doing with AI (hint: it’s changing)How to build transparency instead of fear in your classroomIf you’ve been unsure how to approach AI with your students or feel like you're already behind, this episode gives you practical, honest strategies you can start using immediately. Buen provecho!Connect With Gabriel CarrilloEdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.comEdTech Bites On Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/edtechbites.bsky.socialEdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbitesEdTech Bites X: https://twitter.com/edtechbitesEdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/edtechbitesEdTech Bites On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@edtechbitesEdTech Bites YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@edtechbitesAbout AnnieAnnie Kim Sytsma serves schools across the state of Michigan as an AI Strategist with Michigan Virtual. With over 13 years of experience in education and dual Master’s degrees in Educational Technology and Instructional Design, she brings a balanced, ethical, and thoughtful approach to integrating AI in teaching and learning. Her background as an English and Psychology teacher, District Technology Specialist, District Intervention Coordinator, and school administrator gives her deep instructional and systemic insight into how intentionally designed technology can transform education. Annie focuses on creating learning experiences that harness AI to deepen thinking, strengthen metacognition, and expand student agency while supporting responsible engagement with emerging technologies.Connect With Annie Kim SytsmaAnnie On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annie-kim-sytsma-64a3306/

Ep. 296 | The Hidden Problem With AI In Education W/ Ken Shelton

Ever had a testing session fall apart because your classroom headphones stopped working?In this episode, I’m joined by Alan Sherbourne, Vice President of Marketing at TWT Audio to unpack why most school headsets fail—and what it’s really costing you. We get into durability, audio quality for AI and multilingual learners, and why more districts are moving back to wired solutions.If you’re tired of replacing headphones every year… this one’s for you.AI literacy is more than prompts and chatbots. In this episode, we unpack what educators and school leaders are getting wrong about AI in education. Learn how to improve AI usage, align technology decisions with campus goals, and avoid costly edtech mistakes. If your district is overwhelmed with tools and unclear direction, this conversation will help you simplify, focus, and lead with purpose.Connect With Gabriel CarrilloEdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.comEdTech Bites On Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/edtechbites.bsky.socialEdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbitesEdTech Bites X: https://twitter.com/edtechbitesEdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/edtechbitesEdTech Bites On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@edtechbitesEdTech Bites YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@edtechbitesAbout Ken SheltonKen Shelton is a multi award winning educator, author, speaker, and consultant. He has worked in education for well over 20 years. His work includes teaching middle school technology, keynote speaking, leading professional development, and providing consulting support to many education systems around the world. He is the co-author of the best selling book “The Promises and Perils of AI in Education: Ethics and Equity have Entered the Chat.” He can found online at kennethshelton.net and on many of the social media platforms.Connect With Ken SheltonKen Shelton’s Website: https://kennethshelton.net/Ken Shelton On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenashelton/Ken Shelton On X: https://x.com/k_sheltonKen Shelton On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kshelton

Ep. 295 | 115 AI Tools Later w/ Eric Curts

Ep. 294 | Why Embarrassing Moments Make Better Teachers w/ Jen Casa-Todd