Edtech Throwdown

Episode 216: (More) Awesome Edtech for the Summer

Welcome 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 Plans

Summer plans

Segment 2: Resources for the Summer

Nick

Podcasts

Sweat 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.

Books

Teach 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 teachers
BONUS 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 Bag

Return to good teaching practice: Focus on study strategies with thisexcellent one-pager
Phet Studio’s customizable simulations and the Wayground Integration - must pay for this but it might be worth it!

Guise

Podcasts

The 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)

Books

The 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.