Join hosts David Berner & Jeremy Mikla for a deep dive with Dr. Monica Burns—EdTech consultant, former NYC public school teacher, author of EdTech Essentials: 12 Strategies for Every Classroom in the Age of AI (2nd ed.), and founder of ClassTechTips.com. Monica shares her journey from traditional chalkboards to global keynote stages, her “Tasks Before Apps” philosophy, and practical ways to harness AI in the classroom.

Inside this episode, you’ll discover:

• Task-First Integration: How to align any tech tool to real learning goals, from quick wins to heavier-lift projects that address your biggest pain points.
• Top AI Features for Educators: Voice-based dictation in ChatGPT, the new Library & Media Organizer, plus the Projects workspace for custom workflows.
• Healthy Hesitation & Ethics: Why acknowledging hallucinations, bias scaling, and environmental impacts is critical—and how to model transparency for students.
• Classroom Activities Without Student Log-ins: Compare keyword-search results vs. AI outputs, fact-check together, and spark discussions without ever opening a chatbot.
• Empowering Student Agency: Use open-ended creation tools (Book Creator, Adobe Express, etc.) to give all learners choice within one consistent platform.
• Engaging Virtual PD: Workshop series best practices, breakout rooms + Padlet living docs, built-in Q&A “office hours,” and follow-up support to keep the learning going.

Resources & Links

• ClassTechTips Blog → https://classtechtips.com
• Easy Ed Tech Podcast → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/easy-edtech-podcast-with-monica-burns/id1454190031
• EdTech Essentials (2nd Ed.) → https://www.amazon.com/s?k=EdTech+Essentials+Monica+Burns
• Sign up for Monica’s upcoming ASCD release (summer 2025) → https://classtechtips.com/newsletter

ISTE Reflections: Highlights, Trends, and Takeaways from ISTE 2025

In this episode of Integrate This!, David Berner flips the script and interviews Jeremy Mikla about his time at the ISTE 2025 Conference. From the buzz of new edtech tools to inspiring sessions and impromptu hallway conversations, Jeremy shares his firsthand takeaways, favorite moments, and a few “you-had-to-be-there” stories. Whether you attended ISTE or followed along from afar, this conversation offers insights into what's trending in the world of educational technology—and why you might want to join us in Orlando next year.

In this episode of Integrate This! EdTech Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Steven Baule, Associate Professor of Leadership Education and Director of K–12 Administrative Licensure and Doctorate Programs at Winona State University. With over two decades in district and building leadership, Dr. Ball shares powerful insights on:

• What truly makes a strong school leader
• The changing landscape of K–12 licensure and how it aligns with modern educational demands
• Lessons from his journey from social studies teacher to system-level administrator
• How school systems can support teacher leaders and build leadership capacity from within
• The intersection of edtech and leadership training in today’s programs
• Advice for educators considering a leap into administration

🎙️ Whether you're a teacher thinking about leadership, an administrator navigating policy changes, or a district leader mentoring future principals, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom.

Connect with Dr. Baule & Winona State’s Leadership Programs → Winona State Ed.D. Program → K–12 Licensure Pathways

College of Education | Winona State University

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