Episodes

  • 2026 NJECC Edtech throwdown

    2026 NJECC Edtech throwdown
    Mar 23 2026
    Edtech ThrowdownEpisode 211: NJECC Showdown 2026Welcome to the EdTech Throwdown. This is Episode 211 called NJECC Showdown 2026. Guise and I have each selected 6 of our favorite tools for the classroom. Listen in to learn about what they are, why we like them, and how they might advance your practice! This is another episode you don’t want to miss. Check it out.Segment 1: This year’s NJECC was great!-did 2 sessions-saw a cool session and met a possible future guestSegment 2: Our presentation from 2026 feature the following tools:https://www.canva.com/design/DAHBrY8mBhs/nJ3GQcW00epnK3bp7Uaoyw/edit?utm_content=DAHBrY8mBhs&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebuttonEdtech Throwdown: Vote on twitter @edtechthrowdown and under the pinned post on the profile.Segment 3: Where to Find EdTech ThrowdownDo us a few favors:Subscribe to the Edtech Throwdown PodcastApple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon PodcastsStitcher YouTube Twitter FacebookWrite us an Apple Podcast Review!Tell your friends aboutwww.edtechthrowdown.comTell your friends about the Teach Better Podcast NetworkSubscribe to our Podcast Channels and SocialsApple PodcastsSpotify YouTube Twitter (@edtechthrowdown)FacebookInstagramConnect with us on Social MediaGuise’s Social MediaTwitter(@guisegotteched)LinkedInNick’s Social MediaTwitter(@nickgotteched)Music Credits:Intro and Outro Music-American Idle - RKVCSegment Identifiers-Duck in the Alley - TrackTribeEdtech Throwdown-Born a Rockstar (Instrumental) - NEFEXNeed a Presenter?As experienced presenters and content creators, you can contact Nick and Guise to speak at your school, event, or conference. They can customize a workshop that meets your organization’s unique time and content needs. While no topic is out of bounds, we are best known for sessions on:AI For Teachers, Admin, and Parents1:1 Chromebook IntegrationEdTech ThrowdownTargetED LearningGamification (Badge Systems)Game-Based Learning (Escape Rooms, Amazing Race, and more)Google apps and extensionsPersonalized learning and Choice BoardsTeacher productivity (Lesson Planning, Online Grading. and Feedback)Digital content creationStudent PodcastingScreencastingFlipped ClassroomStudent-Centered Learning
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    41 mins
  • AI Prompt Writing for Educators

    AI Prompt Writing for Educators
    Mar 9 2026
    Edtech ThrowdownEpisode 210: AI Prompt Writing for EducatorsWelcome to the EdTech Throwdown. This is episode 210 called “AI Prompt Writing for Educators.” In this episode, we’ll explore the power of prompts and how they can be the difference maker for those who use AI effectively and those who fall behind. This is another episode you don’t want to miss. Check it out.Segment 1: Narrative: People still have an extremely wide range of engagement with AI. Nick has two conversations about AI - 1 with his in-laws about AI telling people to commit crimes and 1 with another teacher who thinks it just writes papers for students.Anatomy of a good prompt1. Don't just ask a question; tell the AI who it is and who it is talking to. This sets the tone and the "knowledge ceiling" of the response.What to include:Give it a job title (e.g., "veteran IB Biology teacher") and define the target audience (e.g., "students with no prior coding experience").2. Be incredibly specific about the verb. Avoid "Help me with..." and use "Analyze," "Draft," "Critique," or "Categorize."What to include:Provide the "raw material." If you want a rubric, paste the assignment. If you want a response to a parent email, paste the email.3. Tell the AI exactly how you want the information delivered. Don't settle for a wall of text.What to include:Specify the format (e.g., "a 3-column table," "a bulleted list of 5 items," or "a formal email script"). Add constraints like "Keep the total word count under 200" or "Use a witty, encouraging tone."Be purposeful with your AI use. Always ask - is there a reason for me to use AI here? Would it benefit my brain to do this myself? Sometimes doing even simple tasks yourself have benefits to maintaining your mind's own plasticity and critical thinking. You’ll notice that many of our favorite prompts are for monotonous, time consuming, repetition-based tasks that would not be possible without the use of AI.Segment 2: Our favorite prompt libraries:Teacher Serverhttps://www.aiforeducation.io/promptshttps://promptbase.com/https://gail.wharton.upenn.edu/prompt-library/https://www.thepromptindex.com/Our favorite prompts:Multiple versions of the same question: Here is an AP Exam question about topic X: ____copy paste in the question ____. Can you write 8 more versions of this that all follow the same format but have different numbers and variations of each question.Meta search: Find for me all the ___ exam questions that deal with ___topic___.Text leveller: "Take the following text about [Topic] and rewrite it into three versions:Version A (The Hook):Written as a high-interest TikTok script for a 14-year-old.Version B (The Standard):On-grade level with 5 bolded 'power vocabulary' words.Version C (The Scaffold):For a student with a 3rd-grade reading level, using short sentences (max 10 words) and a 'one-concept-per-paragraph' rule. Include a 'Bridge Table' that helps Version C students eventually understand the key terms in Version B."I struggle with coming up withreal-world examplesof things. "I’m teaching [Mathematical/Scientific Concept]. Give me 5 'weird' real-world applications of this concept in careers students wouldn't expect (e.g., fashion design, professional gaming, or forest management). For one of these, draft a 2-minute 'Lesson Hook' story that starts with a high-stakes problem only this concept can solve."Jeopardy Clue WriterYou are a Jeopardy Clue Writer. Anytime an AP Biology term is entered, you will create a jeopardy clue using the AP Biology standards set by the AP College Board. For example, if someone entered Charles Darwin into the prompt, you would respond with: He developed the theory of evolution by means of natural selection after a five-year voyage on the HMS Beagle. Let the output be Times new roman font size 12.Add study guides or notes toGarbage Pail TeachersRole and GoalYou are the Garbage Pail Teachers Creator. Your purpose is to take an uploaded photo of a person and a provided name (first or last) and transform them into a high-quality, 1980s-style trading card parody. You specialize in gross-out humor, puns, and classroom-themed chaos.Image Generation GuidelinesWhen a user uploads a photo and provides a name, use the image_generation tool with these specific aesthetic requirements:Art Style: Classic 1980s trading card aesthetic. Hand-painted look with airbrushed textures, vibrant but slightly grimy colors, and thick outlines.Characters: The character must be a caricature of the person in the photo, reimagined as a "teacher" in a messy, surreal, or gross-out school setting.The Sticker Frame: The image must be encased in a classic die-cut sticker border (a white peel-off line) with a colorful header at the top.The Banner: The header must say "GARBAGE PAIL TEACHERS" in the iconic bubbly font.Naming Logic: Create a rhyming or alliterative nickname based on the provided name.Example: For "Guise," use "Greasy Guisey." For "Smith," use "...
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    39 mins
  • 10 Fun AI Tools to Try in 2026

    10 Fun AI Tools to Try in 2026
    Feb 23 2026
    Edtech ThrowdownEpisode 209: 10 Fun AI Tools to Try in 2026Welcome to the EdTech Throwdown. This is episode 209 called “10 Fun AI Tools to Try in 2026” In this episode, we’ll explore the lighthearted side of AI as we examine some silly AI tools and uses that are guaranteed to make you and your students smile. This is another episode you don’t want to miss. Check it out.Segment 1: It's just that time of the year.Segment 2: Clipdrop.coGemini’s new “Create Music” option under Tools. Choose a track and then the AI populates lyrics into that track. Right now there are maybe 20-ish tracks in diff music stylespodsmartai.com Google Arts and Culture - Art Selfie. Download the app. Be careful with students under 18. Use this fun activity as a starting point for analysis and discussion of classic works.Goblin Toolshttps://goblin.tools/Quick, Draw. Prompt Librarieshttps://promptbase.com/https://gail.wharton.upenn.edu/prompt-library/https://www.thepromptindex.com/Google Labs. The home for AI experiments at Google. This deserves more exploration on our part, but there is a ton here so I’m sharing it as a thing of it’s own. For example,GenTypeis one of the experiments that can create fonts. The example they feature is a font using jelly on toast, where each letter of the alphabet is jelly being spread on pieces of toast.https://boredhumans.com/Talking Tours. An AI audio experiment touring cultural landmarks in Street View on Google Arts & Culture.Edtech Throwdown: Vote on twitter @edtechthrowdown and under the pinned post on the profile.Segment 3: Where to Find EdTech ThrowdownDo us a few favors:Subscribe to the Edtech Throwdown PodcastApple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon PodcastsStitcher YouTube Twitter FacebookWrite us an Apple Podcast Review!Tell your friends aboutwww.edtechthrowdown.comTell your friends about the Teach Better Podcast NetworkSubscribe to our Podcast Channels and SocialsApple PodcastsSpotify YouTube Twitter (@edtechthrowdown)FacebookInstagramConnect with us on Social MediaGuise’s Social MediaTwitter(@guisegotteched)LinkedInNick’s Social MediaTwitter(@nickgotteched)Music Credits:Intro and Outro Music-American Idle - RKVCSegment Identifiers-Duck in the Alley - TrackTribeEdtech Throwdown-Born a Rockstar (Instrumental) - NEFEXNeed a Presenter?As experienced presenters and content creators, you can contact Nick and Guise to speak at your school, event, or conference. They can customize a workshop that meets your organization’s unique time and content needs. While no topic is out of bounds, we are best known for sessions on:AI For Teachers, Admin, and Parents1:1 Chromebook IntegrationEdTech ThrowdownTargetED...
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    40 mins
  • 10 Canva Apps for Teachers in 2026

    10 Canva Apps for Teachers in 2026
    Feb 9 2026
    Edtech Throwdown

    Episode 208: 10 Canva Apps for Teachers in 2026

    Welcome to the EdTech Throwdown. This is episode 208 called “10 (More) Canva Apps for Teachers” In this episode, we’ll revisit the exciting world of canva apps and deliver some old favorites as well as some exciting new finds. This is another episode you don’t want to miss. Check it out.

    Segment 1:

    Lunch and Learn preparation

    Segment 2: Apps

    Canva: Visual Suite for Everyone 10 Apps presentation

    1. Qr Code
    2. Image Divide
    3. Bulk Creator
    4. Image Upscaler
    5. Video Effects
    6. Jigsaw Puzzler
    7. Animator
    8. Image Recolor
    9. Type Cutout
    10. Can Sign
    11. YouTube Embed

    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
    6. YouTube
    7. Twitter
    8. Facebook
    9. Write us an Apple Podcast Review!
    10. Tell your friends about
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    24 mins
  • Tips and Tricks for 2026: Chrome and Gmail

    Tips and Tricks for 2026: Chrome and Gmail
    Jan 26 2026
    Edtech Throwdown

    Episode 207: Tips and Tricks for 2026: Chrome and Gmail

    Welcome to the EdTech Throwdown. This is episode 207 called “Tips and Tricks for 2026: Chrome and Gmail” In this episode, we’ll talk about some of our favorite tips for surfing the web with chrome and sending or receiving emails in Gmail. Hopefully these hacks can help make your day a little easier. This is another episode you don’t want to miss. Check it out.

    Segment 1: Lost but Now Found

    • Restore lost or accidentally Control Shift T Command Shift T on a MAC
    • Zoom in and Out
    • Control +/-

    Segment 2: Edtech Tips and Tricks

    Google Chrome Tips and Tricks

    Nick

    1. QR Code
    2. Go to the site > Three Dots > Cast,Save, and Share > Create a QR Code
    3. Smart PDF Highlighting
    4. Use the "Link to Highlight" feature in Chrome. Right-click any text on a webpage and select "Copy link to highlight." When students click it, they are taken exactly to that sentence on the page.
    5. Use Google Lens to grab text from images. Go to the 3 dots > Search with Google Lens > drag around the image with the text you want > choose Copy Text

    Guise

    1. Add Tab to Group (Right click on a tab, hit add to group)
    2. Send Tabs Across Devices
    3. If you find a recipe on your laptop but want to take it to the kitchen on your phone, right-click the tab (or the address bar) and selectSend to your devices.
    4. It pops up as a notification on your other device instantly..
    5. Make the site an APP: Go to the site > Three Dots > Save and Share > Install page as app. It will now have its own icon in your Taskbar/Dock and won't get lost in your tabs.

    Gmail

    Nick:

    1. Find Large Attachments
    2. Type larger:10m in the search bar to find every email taking up more than 10MB. It’s the fastest way to clear storage space.
    3. Schedule Send Later
    4. Templates (Canned Responses)
    5. Enable this in Settings > Advanced. Save your standard "Late Work Policy" or "Meeting Request" as a template. To use it, click the three dots in a new draft and hit "Templates."

    Guise:

    1. Undo Send
    2. Go to Settings > See all settings > Undo Send and change it to 30 seconds. It’s the ultimate "safety net" for typos.
    3. Archive
    4. The "Plus" Addressing Hack
    5. If your email is teacher@gmail.com, you can use teacher+newsletters@gmail.com to sign up for sites. Gmail ignores everything after the +, but you can create a Filter to automatically label or skip the inbox for anything sent to that specific "plus" address.

    Edtech Throwdown:

    Vote on twitter @edtechthrowdown and under the pinned post on the...
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    35 mins
  • Google Vids vs Canva Video and WeVideo

    Google Vids vs Canva Video and WeVideo
    Jan 12 2026
    Edtech Throwdown

    Episode 206: Google Vids vs Canva Video and WeVideo


    Welcome to the EdTech Throwdown. This is episode 206 called “Google Vids vs Canva Video and WeVideo” In this episode, we’ll talk about a new-ish Google app called Google Vids and how it stacks up against other popular classroom video creation tools. This is another episode you don’t want to miss. Check it out.

    Segment 1: What is Google Vids?


    Narrative: Have we ever solved the problem of fast and easy screencasts? A teacher asked me that this week and I realized I didn’t have a great answer.

    ScreenPal has an extension, but the increased tools make it slower

    WeVideo has an extension, but it is clunky and not free

    Screencastify still exists, but have to pay after 10 videos


    Released: Google Vids was first announced and released in preview during Google Cloud Next in April 2024, with a wider rollout to all Google Workspace users starting in November 2024 as an AI-powered video creation tool for work.


    What is it? It is a video editing platform that feels more like creating a Google Slide than a video editing platform. Is this a positive thing … not sure yet.


    Free Basic Version: All users get access to the web-based editor, allowing recording, importing clips, using templates, and basic editing.


    AI Extras (Paid): Advanced AI tools, such as AI-generated clips from prompts, AI avatars, and enhanced script/outline generation, require paid Google Workspace or AI plan subscriptions.


    What can it do?

    • Screen records with or without webcam
    • Converts slides to video
    • Upload your own photos and videos for editing
    • Has video templates with title slides, animations, etc.
    • Multiple layouts: landscape, portrait, square
    • Has stock audio from Youtube audio library - good music!
    • Has most, if not all, typical video editing tools: playhead, video preview, splitting, multiple track editing, etc.


    Benefits:

    • Integration: Works directly within...
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    34 mins
  • Edtech Resolutions for 2026

    Edtech Resolutions for 2026
    Dec 29 2025
    Edtech ThrowdownEpisode 205: Edtech Resolutions for 2026

    Welcome to the EdTech Throwdown. This is episode 205 called “Edtech Resolutions for 2026” In this episode, we’ll talk about our edtech tips and edtech tools that we are excited to explore in the new year. This is another episode you don’t want to miss. Check it out.

    Segment 1: Goodbye 2025 and Hello 2026

    Narrative: Life was challenging in 2025… Welcome 2026!

    Segment 2: Tips, Tools, and Resources

    Nick’s

    An Edtech Tip for 2026

    • Building Blocks in Google Docs to templat-ize my doc writing

    An Edtech Tool for 2026

    • Noteobook LM - so many new tools, I have a feeling there is more to come

    An Edtech Resource for 2026

    • Canva Cheat sheets

    Guises:

    An Edtech Tip for 2026

    • Simplify Tasks
    • Group tasks to maximize saving time
    • Boost Engagement
    • Reflect on what your students like and make changes to your teaching
    • Streamline Workflow
    • Make templates based on your core teaching philosophy

    An Edtech Tool for 2026

    • Canva Code for gamification

    An Edtech Resource for 2026

    • Guise’s Guide to Gemini Gems

    Make a PACT with your Gem:

    • Persona: Give it a job title.
    • Action: Give it a verb (create, grade, simplify).
    • Context: Give it the boundaries (grade level, standards).
    • Template: Give it a structure (table, list, email format).

    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
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    31 mins
  • Edtech Wrapped

    Edtech Wrapped
    Dec 15 2025
    Edtech ThrowdownEpisode 204: Edtech Wrapped


    Welcome to the EdTech Throwdown. This is episode 204 called “Edtech Wrapped” In this episode, we’ll talk about our version of spotify wrapped to take a look back at our edtech year in review. This is another episode you don’t want to miss. Check it out.


    Segment 1:


    Narrative: Guise, do you know what Spotify Wrapped is?


    We assembled our own edtech version of Spotify Wrapped as a way to talk about trends over the past year.


    By the way, Ditch That Textbook has some really cool Wrapped Templates that you can use in your classroom. Check out the link here.


    Segment 2: Edtech Wrapped 2025


    Instead of most played song, artist and genre, we will do most used edtech tool, most used tip or trick, most used strategy/lesson/activity


    Nick’s Wrapped


    Most played song ( edtech tool )

    • Gemini Gems - game changing for AI in education
    • Check out Eric CurtsEdugems

    Most played artist ( edtech tip or trick )

    • Canva Emails

    Most played genre ( strategy/lesson/activity )

    • Flipped classroom, incorporating edpuzzle
    • Can Edpuzzle remain competitive as edtech tools grow in scope? They are trying!


    Guises Wrapped


    Most played song ( edtech tool )

    • Canva Magic- 3d models, roller style, design and elements
    • *** Bonus*** The update to video editor

    Most played artist ( edtech tip or trick )

    • If you have gorilla paws like me… stop using a keyboard… trywisprflow.ai

    Most played genre ( strategy/lesson type )

    • Flipped App Smash
    • Diffit → Notebook LM


    Edtech Throwdown:

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


    Segment 3: Where to Find EdTech Throwdown
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    36 mins