Kicking off 2026, let's cut through the noise and focus on what actually matters: edtech tools that can genuinely move the needle for educators. Rather than chasing trends or shiny new platforms, this episode is about intentional, practical technology use that supports feedback, collaboration, creativity, engagement, organization, and student voice.

The episode tackles the growing disconnect between students’ highly interactive digital lives outside of school and the passive digital experiences they often encounter in classrooms.

Chris challenges the idea that more screen time equals more engagement and introduces the 80/20 Producer Strategy:

1. For every 80% of the time students spend consuming information
2. Ensure at least 20% is spent creating something with value beyond the gradebook

The core message:

Engagement in 2026 isn’t about flashy tools. It’s about student agency. When students create, design, build, and solve real problems, the engagement gap begins to close.

Feedback is essential but time-consuming. Mote allows educators to leave quick voice comments directly inside Google Docs, Slides, and LMS platforms.

Why it matters:

1. Faster than typing
2. More personal and human
3. Accessible through audio + transcription

Level-Up Question:

Where in your workflow could your voice be more effective than your keyboard?

FigJam is a collaborative digital whiteboard that turns learning into an active, visible process.

Use it to:

1. Brainstorm and organize ideas
2. Capture student thinking in real time
3. Support collaboration for both synchronous and asynchronous work

Level-Up Question:

How often do students visually share their thinking before submitting a final product?

Canva has evolved into a full creation and communication platform, allowing students to demonstrate learning visually and professionally.

Classroom possibilities include:

1. Infographics and explainer visuals
2. Digital portfolios
3. Ethical media creation and storytelling

Level-Up Question:

Are students creating content — or just consuming it?

These tools transform traditional presentations into interactive learning experiences through polls, questions, and formative checks.

Why they work:

1. Immediate insight into student understanding
2. No extra grading
3. Increased accountability without pressure

Level-Up Question:

How often do you

The House of #EdTech SmackDown is back — and episode 265 delivers the 12th annual celebration of educator-shared tools, ideas, and inspiration. This fan-favorite episode brings together contributions from teachers, coaches, podcasters, and edtech leaders who share what made a real impact in classrooms and schools throughout 2025. From AI-powered writing feedback and study tools to creative multimedia platforms, productivity apps, and wellness tech, this episode is packed with practical ideas you can use right away.

I focused on a common trap in education: waiting for the "right time" to change practice.

New semesters, new marking periods, or new years often feel like the natural moment to reset. But great technology integration doesn't follow a calendar. It happens incrementally, through reflection, experimentation, and iteration, even when the school year feels messy and unfinished.

The takeaway is simple but powerful: You don't need permission from the calendar to teach differently tomorrow than you did today.

This year's SmackDown features a wide range of tools and ideas, spanning AI, creativity, productivity, assessment, and wellness.

Chris's Recommendations

• Raina AI introduces creative ways to support studying and student engagement, including the concept of "Brain Rot" videos.
• Genially for interactive and gamified learning experiences.
• 123Apps as an all-in-one media creation toolkit.
• Chronicling America from the Library of Congress for primary source research.
• ICE - https://icemenubar.app/
• Latest - https://max.codes/latest/
• Rocket - https://matthewpalmer.net/rocket/

• Beat the Computer (shared by Stephanie Howell) helps students improve writing by focusing on feedback and revision rather than replacement.

• Gemini is highlighted as a tools for educators, including writing Google Apps Scripts to automate workflows (Dan Gallagher).

• Brisk Teaching and custom GPTs (shared by Dr. Dan Kreiness) demonstrate how AI can support instruction without removing teacher agency.

• Brainfreeze AI (Matt Miller) allows educators to build their own AI agents for classroom use.

From lesson planning and assessment design to AI-assisted tutoring and district-wide policy development, Chris explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping teaching and learning, not as a replacement for educators, but as a partner in creativity and efficiency.

You will gain insights into the AI tipping point, practical classroom applications, real risks (including equity, bias, privacy, and the loss of human connection), and how teachers can lead responsibly through this transformation. The episode also includes a timely #EdTech Recommendation highlighting Google Chrome's live caption and translation features, and an invitation to participate in the 2025 EdTech SmackDown, the annual listener-powered finale of the show.

• #EdTech Thought: The AI tipping point: Why AI in education is no longer "next" but "now."

• How educators are using generative AI for planning, differentiation, and feedback.

• Examples of AI tools supporting English language learners and accessibility.

• Major risks of AI in schools — equity, bias, privacy, and the human factor.

• How to lead responsibly with AI in your classroom or district:

  • Build your AI literacy

  • Put pedagogy before technology

  • Model ethical transparency

  • Advocate for clear district policies

  • Share both wins and failures

  
  

• #EdTech Recommendation: Google Chrome's Live Caption & Translate feature.

• House of #EdTech Episode 246 – The Harms of Generative AI featuring Tom Mullaney