Welcome to the EdTech Throwdown. This is Episode 183 called 8 Great Edtech Tools for Literacy. In this episode, we’ll discuss some of our favorite websites for enhancing literacy in your classroom. We’ll also take another look at an AMAZING new feature in google notebook lm. This is another episode you don’t want to miss. Check it out.

Guises mind is blown

n over notebook lm’s new feature

1. No Red Ink lessons
2. Maps.com. Not a literacy site, but these are some cool maps and would make for great writing prompts.
3. Diffit Books, How it works: Select “Books” on the Diffit homepage, Choose your book and chapters, Get student-ready resources! We’re rolling this feature out to all schools over the next few weeks, but your access is live now as an admin on your Diffit account. Test it out and let your teachers know it's coming to their accounts soon!
4. ESL BITS: Wide selection of audio books and text. The sole purpose of this site is to help students improve their listening and reading comprehension of the English language.'BITS English Language Learning' is completely non-profit; it sells nothing, advertises nothing, and asks for nothing."BITS" is an online-only site. No links for downloading items are available and none will ever be provided. Skip is wholly responsible for this site and has all the credit or all the blame as the case may be.
5. Write the World: A nonprofit dedicated to developing teenagers’ writing and critical thinking skills. We empower young writers to become global citizens and succeed in school, career, and life.
6. NYT Writing Prompts
7. Wonderopolis Writing Prompts
8. DeepSeek AI Article

Welcome to the EdTech Throwdown. This is Episode 182 called, “Using Edtech and AI to Personalize the Classroom” In this episode, we’ll talk about how edtech an AI can personalize both your classroom physical space AND content creation and delivery. This is another episode you don’t want to miss. Check it out.

Narrative: With all the AI and the COVID days behind us, have we lost the focus of personalizing learning for students in the classroom?

How can we use Edtech/AI to personalize the physical appearance of the classroom to be a more inviting place to learn?

• Interest-Driven Decor:
• Survey students about their favorite movies, games, and hobbies using tools like Google Forms or Mentimeter.
• Use the results to create themed areas, posters, or bulletin boards that reflect their interests.
• Digital Displays:
• Incorporate smart displays or projectors (e.g., Promethean boards) to showcase rotating slideshows of student artwork, photos, or inspirational quotes.
• Use Canva templates to make slides visually appealing and personalized.
• Interactive Wall Art:
• Use AR tools like QuiverVision to create augmented reality wall displays. Students can scan wall art to see animations or interact with digital layers.
• Mood Lighting:
• Integrate smart lighting systems to adjust classroom lighting based on the mood or theme of the lesson.
• Collaborative Space Design:
• Use Edtech tools like RoomSketcher to co-create the classroom layout with students. Allow them to choose...

Welcome to the EdTech Throwdown. This is Episode 181 called, “Educational AI Hub Breakdown” In this episode, we’ll compare and analyze the mega-AI hubs that are competing for every teacher's attention. By the end, you’ll know which ones we think are actually worth your time. This is another episode you don’t want to miss. Check it out.

Narrative: Holy Hubs

What are AI Hubs?

• We are using the term “hub” a little incorrectly here. An AI hub is a thing in the tech space where AI models can be trained.
• When we say hub, we mean AI platforms or workspaces that do LOTS of different teacher related things
• Most of these use ChatGPT or something similar in the background. For example, let’s say you wanted to write a lesson plan … you could get the same results if you just went to ChatGPT and put in a very specific prompt, but Magic School’s lesson plan generator has done that for you.
• Also, Khanmigo uses GPT, but it has been specifically trained on the videos and resources held by Khan Academy.

What are the big ones?

• Magic School
• Some free, some paid
• Khanmigo
• All free for teachers
• Eduaid
• Pay for pro features
• Teachershub.ai
• Free for teachers but they do list limits, no other pricing there
• Teach Mate
• For the Brits! Some for free, £6.99 per month and goes up from there
• MIT Sloane
• Can’t find a price
• Theres an AI for That
• ***