In this episode of the Integrate This EdTech Podcast, David Berner and Jeremy Mikla talk with Ken Shelton about AI in education, academic integrity, and why artificial intelligence creates such strong reactions in schools. Ken explores how fear, uncertainty, and the SCARF model help explain resistance to AI, why educators must strengthen AI literacy and media literacy, and how schools can create more thoughtful policies, professional learning, and communication around emerging technology. This conversation is packed with practical ideas for school leaders, teachers, and instructional coaches who want to approach AI with curiosity, clarity, and a focus on student agency.

Ken Shelton

Ken Shelton | LinkedIn

Watch the interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/E3m5R9sTVP4

In this episode of the Integrate This EdTech Podcast, David Berner and Jeremy Mikla interview Kunal Dalal about AI parentology, what it means to parent children in the age of artificial intelligence, and why families should not avoid AI. Kunal shares practical ways parents can use AI to deepen human connection at home, reflects on the risks of the attention economy, and explains how schools can better support families as AI becomes part of everyday life. The conversation also explores lighthouse homes, digital agency, and the shift from generative AI to agentic AI, making this a thought-provoking episode for educators, parents, and school leaders.

AI Parentology - Turning AI into Family Glue

Kunal Dalal | LinkedIn

Watch the YouTube Interview Here: https://youtu.be/sowW-i8GTzs

In this episode, Jeremy Mikla and David Berner sit down with John Sowash to talk about the real Google for Education moves that help teachers right away—without hype, fluff, or “one more thing” energy.

John shares his journey from classroom teacher to Google-for-Edu creator, plus the behind-the-scenes thinking that makes his work so practical: simple systems, clean workflows, and training that respects teachers’ time. We dig into what’s working in Google Workspace right now, why rubrics in Google Classroom are still a big lever, and how districts can make smarter calls about Gemini vs. ChatGPT access and support.

In this conversation:

• The evolution of Google for Education in real schools
• Classroom-ready workflow upgrades (especially rubrics + feedback)
• What districts get wrong about “blocking” vs. training
• Gemini in Workspace: where it helps, where it frustrates, and what to do next

Links & Resources:

• https://www.chrmbook.com/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/jrsowash/

In this episode of the Integrate This! EdTech Podcast, we’re joined by Eric Santos, an education leader and consultant with the Learning Technology Center of Illinois and founder of BetterTeaching.org. Eric shares his origin story (from corporate consulting to the classroom), how AI “hit him in the face” through academic integrity challenges in higher ed, and why intentional technology use should always start with the why—not the tool. We also dig into practical guidance for district AI policy vs. day-to-day guidance, stakeholder communication (students, families, staff, and board members), plus Eric’s favorite STEM pathways: 3D printing, drones, and makerspace design. If your district is navigating AI implementation, building STEM experiences, or trying to avoid “tool-first” tech adoption, this conversation is packed with ideas you can use immediately.

🎧 Watch the episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/5xupuZdtc3w

🔗 Guest links: BetterTeaching.org | Eric's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/betterteaching/

What does it look like when a former classroom teacher helps build an AI tool specifically for teachers?

In this episode of Integrate This!, we talk with Thomas Thompson (CEO & co-founder) about Eduaide.ai / EduAid AI and what it means to design AI around real classroom workflow: lesson planning, instructional materials, differentiation, assessment supports, and the realities of what AI can (and can’t) do well.

We also dig into the bigger picture: why teacher-to-teacher sharing has been so powerful for growth, why “learning science” matters when evaluating edtech tools, and what Thomas thinks the next few years of AI in education could look like.

🔗 Check out Eduaide.ai: https://www.eduaide.ai/

Engagement isn’t a Chromebook problem. It isn’t an app problem. And AI isn’t a magic wand.

In this episode, Jeremy and David sit down with Carl Hooker to talk about what actually moves the needle right now: designing learning experiences students want to be part of, making creativity + risk-taking normal again, and using AI in ways that strengthen thinking instead of replacing it. Carl also shares practical ways leaders can set direction (without over-controlling), and what kind of professional learning actually changes practice.

In this conversation, we dig into:

• Why engagement isn’t about the device—and what it is
• Creativity vs. compliance (and how school systems accidentally train it out of kids)
• “Ready, Set, FAIL!”: risk-taking as a classroom and leadership skill
• AI beyond efficiency: creative use-cases that don’t reduce teaching to shortcuts
• Differentiation + accessibility wins (including language supports)
• Leadership moves for the AI era: modeling, guardrails, and staying nimble
• PD that sticks: what changes practice and what doesn’t

Resources & links

Carl Hooker (Website): https://carlhooker.com/

Carl Hooker (LinkedIn): https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlhooker/

Learning Evolution: The New Era of AI in the Classroom: https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Evolution-New-Era-Classroom/dp/B0CS482H2B

Ready, Set, Fail!: Using Failure & Risk-Taking to Unlock Creativity: https://www.amazon.com/Ready-Set-Fail-Risk-Taking-Creativity/dp/B0CS46GGX1/ref=sr_1_1?crid=31GL44GW0F710&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.dyPeOd58pYfwqZNCs8NuLoFZrGW6MkiZQzpr9r5htEJWclatQr3y7ct1pIjTn-gREpFtY11CAdPZNOz3sHrG5g.jcvUnHQtDJj6M4-F0MPgaGigDR0G6Wj3UhPofQ3WBpQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=Ready%2C+Set%2C+FAIL%21&qid=1770049981&s=books&sprefix=ready%2C+set%2C+fail+%2Cstripbooks%2C107&sr=1-1

Designing for the Needs of Every Learner.

If generative AI is everywhere, what’s the point of school… of teaching… of learning? In this episode, Jeremy and David sit down with Dave Blanchard to talk about what’s real (and what’s messy) when AI hits actual classrooms and institutions. From learning-space design (yes, “podium optional”) to faculty development, UDL, digital accessibility, and the gap between AI policy vs. AI practice, Dave brings a grounded, human-first take: AI can help, but learning still has to lead.

In this conversation, we dig into:

• Why “policy” often lags behind what people are already doing
• AI as a collaborator for feedback, clarity, and communication
• Equity + access realities (infrastructure gaps, tool availability)
• UDL as the lens for designing options and removing barriers
• Digital accessibility as more than a checkbox

Resources & Links:

Dave Blanchard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidsonblanchard/

MNGAIA / AI4MN: https://www.ai4mn.org/

In this episode of the Integrate This! EdTech Podcast, we’re joined by Ruben Puentedura, creator of the SAMR model and founder of Hippasus, for a deep conversation on learning design, professional development, and what generative AI means for education.

Ruben shares his origin story, how SAMR emerged from real classroom research, and why the model is more relevant than ever in the age of AI. We explore common mistakes schools make with professional development, how learning should evolve beyond tools, and why creativity, storytelling, and student agency are essential for meaningful transformation.

This episode goes beyond buzzwords and gets into how learning actually changes—from K–12 classrooms to higher education, business, and beyond.