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Edtech Throwdown

Edtech Throwdown

By: Eric Guise/Nick Johnson
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The Edtech Throwdown podcast (originally GotTechED the Podcast) was created in 2018 by Nick Johnson and Eric Guise with one, singular goal: to provide quality, tech-centric professional development (PD) to busy teachers on the move. As educators who have always been passionate about PD, Nick and Guise have attended and created hundreds of hours of professional learning experiences for teachers, but there has always been one problem ... time! Attending full-day workshops and conferences is difficult and stressful due to missed class time and added prep. With the Edtech Thowdown, Nick and Guise hope to provide busy teachers a way to access educational PD at their convenience.Edtech Throwdown 2018-Present Personal Success
Episodes
  • (More) Awesome Edtech for the Summer

    (More) Awesome Edtech for the Summer
    Jun 1 2026
    Edtech ThrowdownEpisode 216: (More) Awesome Edtech for the SummerWelcome to the EdTech Throwdown. This is Episode 216 called (More) Awesome Edtech for the Summer. Every year when school ends we publish an episode where Guise and I share what we’ll be reading, listening to, and exploring over the summer break. 216 is that episode and this is another you don’t want to miss, check it out.Segment 1: Summer PlansSummer plansSegment 2: Resources for the SummerNickPodcastsSweat the Technique- How do we get better, faster? A group of pathbreaking educators come together weekly to answer that question, applying lessons from the classroom to all areas of life - from parenting, to relationships, to sports, to hobbies and more. Sweat the Technique is hosted by four former principals and superintendents who've led gap-closing schools. That includes: Doug Lemov, author of the international bestseller Teach Like a Champion and trainer to many successful educators and professional sports coaches, Ryan Hill, founder and CEO of a network of 23 KIPP public charter schools in New Jersey and Miami, Stacey Shells Harvey, founder and CEO of ReGeneration Schools, and Ravi Gupta, former leader of Tennessee's highest performing network of charter schools and founder of the largest-ever training organization for Democratic candidates and staffers. In particular I’ve heard the episode called “Lessons on Excellent Teaching (with Pritesh Raichura)” is quite good.Schooled- This podcast from National Public Radio can help answer the question, “Is this happening to anyone else?” Schooled provides boots-on-the-ground dispatches from Pennsylvania’s public school system, where more government dollars are spent per student than in any other U.S. state. The podcast aims to get to the bottom of why those funds aren’t working, and what needs to happen to make lasting positive change.BooksTeach Like a Champion by Doug Lamov- Teach Like a Champion 3.0 is the long-awaited update to Doug Lemov’s highly regarded guide to the craft of teaching. This book teaches you how to create a positive and productive classroom that encourages student engagement, trust, respect, accountability, and excellence. In this edition, you’ll find new and updated teaching techniques, the latest evidence from cognitive science and culturally responsive teaching practices, and an expanded companion video collection. Learn how to build students’ background knowledge, move learning into long-term memory, and connect your teaching with the curriculum content for tangible improvement in learning outcomes. Seven Myths About Education- In this controversial new book, Daisy Christodoulou offers a thought-provoking critique of educational orthodoxy. Drawing on her recent experience of teaching in challenging schools, she shows through a wide range of examples and case studies just how much classroom practice contradicts basic scientific principles. She examines seven widely-held beliefs which are holding back pupils and teachersBONUS BOOK (CAN I DO IT?!?!) Non-education one - The Power Broker - 1,344 pages, the audio book is 66 hours long. (the average audio book is about 12 hours long)Grab BagReturn to good teaching practice: Focus on study strategies with thisexcellent one-pagerPhet Studio’s customizable simulations and the Wayground Integration - must pay for this but it might be worth it!GuisePodcastsThe Big Dig Catching the Codfather Ian Coss ADDitude’s ADHD Experts PodcastThe Episode:"What Neuroscience Reveals About the ADHD Brain"(with Dr. Joel Nigg)Why it’s great: Dr. Nigg is a leading researcher who does a brilliant job of breaking down complex neuroimaging and brain chemistry into layman's terms. He explains exactly how the ADHD brain processes dopamine, handles attention, and experiences heightened emotions.Bonus Episode:"Neurofeedback and Cognitive Training for ADHD Kids"(explores how computer-based brain training interacts with neuroplasticity)BooksThe AI-Driven Leader: Harnessing AI to Make Faster, Smarter Decisions by Geoff Woods (released in late 2024) is a highly practical business playbook.While many tech books focus on how to code or automate basic tasks, Woods focuses on the executive mindset. His core argument is that most people misuse AI by treating it like a faster assistant, when they should be treating it as a strategic thought partner.If you are a creator or leader looking to use this book to scale your work, here is a deep dive into its core philosophy and the frameworks it provides.
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    39 mins
  • Streamlining the Classroom - Top Content Creation and Search Tools for Educators

    Streamlining the Classroom - Top Content Creation and Search Tools for Educators
    May 18 2026
    Edtech ThrowdownEpisode 215: Streamlining the Classroom - Top Content Creation and Search Tools for EducatorsWelcome to the EdTech Throwdown. This is Episode 215 called Streamlining the Classroom - Top Content Creation and Search Tools for Educators. It’s been a while so in this episode we’ll be talking edtech tools as we bring you a list of some of our favorites for content creation and online searching. This is another episode you don’t want to miss. Check it out.Segment 1:We haven’t made one of these in a whileSegment 2:Episode 215: Content Creation & SearchConsumer Insight & Ideationanswerthepublic.comTool Breakdown: Research & AI Insights Name of the Tool: AnswerThePublic URL:https://answerthepublic.comDescription: A search listening tool that visualizes search questions and suggested autocomplete searches in an image called a search cloud. It helps users understand what people are asking about any specific topic. Main Purpose: For teachers to discover student inquiry trends or for admins to research community concerns. Cost: Freemium Discount Codes: None currently available Login Required: Optional (Limited searches without login) Throwdown Grade: A-googpt.ai Description: A hybrid search engine that combines Google Search results with ChatGPT's conversational AI answers. It provides a side-by-side view of web links and AI summaries. Main Purpose: Efficient research for teachers and students. Cost: Free Discount Codes: None currently available Login Required: No Throwdown Grade: A-Why:Both tools focus on understanding search intent and generating ideas based on what people are asking online.Audio & Video AIelevenlabs.ioName of the Tool: ElevenLabs URL:https://elevenlabs.ioDescription: An advanced AI audio platform that offers lifelike text-to-speech and voice cloning in dozens of languages. It is widely considered the industry leader for natural-sounding AI voices. Main Purpose: Creating accessible audio versions of lessons or narrating classroom presentations. Cost: Freemium Discount Codes: None currently available Login Required: Yes Throwdown Grade: Ainvideo.io Name of the Tool: InVideo URL:https://invideo.io Description: A powerful AI-driven video creation platform that can turn a script or an idea into a fully edited video with stock footage, voiceovers, and music. Main Purpose: School marketing, news shows, or student presentations. Cost: Freemium Discount Codes: None currently available Login Required: Yes Throwdown Grade: AWhy:High-end generative media tools; one specializes in realistic voice synthesis, the other in AI-driven video production.Niche Media Searchplayphrase.meDescription: A search engine for movie clips. Type in any common phrase, and the site will instantly play a sequence of movie scenes where that exact phrase is spoken. Main Purpose: Language arts teachers or anyone looking for the perfect movie clip for a lesson. Cost: Freemium Discount Codes: None currently available Login Required: Optional Throwdown Grade: A-eaglercraft.com Description: A web-based version of Minecraft that can be played directly in a browser. It is often used by students to bypass local installation restrictions. Main Purpose: Creative building and logic puzzles (use with discretion!). Cost: Free Discount Codes: None currently available Login Required: No Throwdown Grade: B- (High distraction risk)Why:Media-centric entertainment tools—one searches for movie dialogue, the other provides a browser-based gaming experience.Visual Brainstormingnapkin.aiName of the Tool: Napkin AI URL:https://napkin.aiDescription: An AI-powered design tool that turns text descriptions into professional-looking diagrams and visuals instantly. It is designed to help "visualize" thoughts during the writing process. Main Purpose: Teachers creating visual aids and flowcharts for complex concepts. Cost: Freemium Discount Codes: None currently available Login Required: Yes Throwdown Grade: Aimagineexplainers.comName of the Tool: Imagine Explainers URL:https://imagineexplainers.comDescription: A tool that creates visual explainer videos and animations from text. It is designed to simplify complex topics through storytelling and movement. Main Purpose: Teachers creating flipped classroom content. Cost: Paid Discount Codes: None currently available Login Required: Yes Throwdown Grade: B+Why:These tools focus on turning abstract ideas or text into visual diagrams and explanations.Tool Directoriescommontools.orgName of the Tool: Common Tools URL:commontools.orgDescription: A portal providing various online utility tools like calculators, unit converters, and text manipulators. It is a simple, no-frills site for daily digital tasks. Main Purpose: General classroom utility for quick math or text conversions. Cost: Free Discount Codes: None currently available Login Required: No Throwdown Grade: B
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    33 mins
  • Ditch That Chromebook

    Ditch That Chromebook
    May 4 2026
    Edtech Throwdown Episode 214: Ditch That Chromebook (no affiliation with Matt Miller)Welcome to the EdTech Throwdown. This is Episode 214 called Ditch that Chromebook. In this episode we’ll talk about several current issues in the edtech world all centered around technology, the role it serves, and to what extent it belongs in schools. This is another episode you don’t want to miss. Check it out.Segment 1:Apology to Matt MillerSegment 2:3 Current Arguments in the edtech world:To block or not to block: AI in schoolsLet fail? Agree about alway cheating The pendulum swings back on 1:1 devices. What is the right way forward? Banning cell phones in schools. Yay or nay?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 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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    40 mins
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