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Friday, June 20, 2025

Podcast Spotlight: Integrate This!

I recently had the pleasure to be a guest on the "Integrate This!" EdTech podcast hosted by Jeremy Mikla and David Berner.

Anyone who knows me, knows how much I love podcasts and am always mentioning something new I learned from one of them, so I was super excited to get to join an episode of this podcast.

The podcast is described as follows:

Integrate This! is the podcast where education and innovation meet real conversation. Join Jeremy Mikla and David Berner as they dive into thought-provoking discussions and interviews with inspiring voices across the EdTech and education world. From classroom insights to big-picture ideas, each episode brings fresh perspectives and honest dialogue about the future of learning.

I had a wonderful time chatting about:
  • Creative ways to use Google tools beyond their traditional roles
  • My philosophy on AI, student struggle, and lifelong learning
  • Guidance for teachers navigating tech fatigue and staying current
  • How NotebookLM helps analyze AI guidance docs
  • Why Gemini is my go-to AI tool for schools
  • My top tips for using AI ethically and effectively in education
Take a look below to listen to the episode, access the resources that I shared in the episode, and explore more about the podcast.

🔊 Listen to the Episode




🔗 Connect with the Podcast

🧰 Episode Resources

📋 Episode Summary

Thanks to Gemini, here are the main topics covered during the episode. You can listen to the podcast to get all the details.
  • Journey into EdTech: The discussion began with my journey into education, starting as a math teacher in 1992. I shared an early project using email and basic data analysis with Lotus 1-2-3 to connect my suburban students with students from urban and rural schools for a statistics project. This early experience highlighted my passion for using technology to create more engaging and meaningful learning experiences.
  • "Control Alt Achieve" Blog: I explained that the name for my blog, "Control Alt Achieve," is a play on the "Ctrl+Alt+Delete" computer command, symbolizing the idea of rebooting classrooms with technology. The blog was started to consolidate my resources into one location. A primary focus has been on Google tools due to their widespread, free availability in schools, particularly in Ohio. This focus was also shaped by a time when my school district faced severe budget cuts, making free tools like Google Apps for Education essential.
  • Philosophy on EdTech and AI: My core philosophy is that technology, and AI specifically, should function as an assistant for both teachers and students. I emphasized that AI is not here to replace educators but to help them do their jobs better, comparing it to a teaching assistant (TA).
  • The Importance of "Struggle": We discussed the concern that technology, especially AI, might eliminate the productive struggle necessary for learning. I used the analogy of an e-bike versus a motorcycle; the e-bike assists you when needed, allowing you to still do the work and get stronger, which is how AI should function in education.
  • AI in the Classroom: My initial focus with AI was on teacher efficiency, but it has now shifted more towards student use. I am excited about tools like Brisk, Magic School, and School AI that allow students to interact with AI as a support for their learning. I am also working on a project to collect and analyze AI guidance documents from various districts and states to identify common themes and create a comprehensive resource for schools.
  • AI and Creativity: I believe AI can both enhance and hinder creativity, depending on how it's used. I shared my experience of co-creating a "Spelling Snake" game with Gemini's coding assistance as an example of using AI to create something I otherwise could not have.
  • Recommended AI Tool: While I use multiple AI tools to stay current, I recommend Gemini for schools because of its power and, crucially, the built-in data privacy protections for education accounts.
  • Valuable Non-AI EdTech: When asked about exciting non-AI tools, I pointed to the continued potential of the Google Workspace suite, especially when combined with frameworks like EduProtocols. These lesson frames use common tools like Google Slides to foster student engagement, discussion, and ownership of their learning.
  • Advice for Educators: I stressed the importance of lifelong learning for educators to model for their students. To avoid technology fatigue, I suggested subscribing to podcasts, newsletters, or using an RSS aggregator to have curated content come directly to you. When providing AI training, it's essential to frame it as a way to enhance current practices, not as "one more thing" to do.

Post by Eric Curts
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