Technology Essentials in Education

Discover how technology is revolutionizing education in the Technology Essentials in Education Podcast. Join us for engaging discussions with industry experts, educators, and tech innovators as we uncover the tools and strategies shaping the classrooms of tomorrow.

Host

Monica Burns

EdTech Consultant

All Podcasts

Technology Essentials in Education

E17

Episode 17: Rethinking Professional Development in the Age of AI

Technology Essentials in Education is your go-to podcast for practical insights on using technology to simplify your school week. Hosted by author and educator Monica Burns, Ed.D., in partnership with Jotform, this series is designed for K-12 educators, administrators, and leaders looking to make a meaningful impact. In this episode, Monica joins Allison Rodman, founder of The Learning Loop and ASCD author, to discuss reimagining professional development through the lens of AI. They explore shifting away from "one-size-fits-all" training toward personalized, high-impact learning that leverages AI as a strategic partner for design and facilitation. Allison shares practical ways educators can use AI to analyze pre-session data and refine instructional coaching, while stressing the importance of maintaining the "human in the loop." The conversation highlights how to balance technical efficiency with the authentic social collaboration and relationship-building essential to teacher growth.

Publish Date:Apr 24, 2026

Technology Essentials in Education

E16

Episode 16: Practical Examples of AI in Education

Technology Essentials in Education is your go-to podcast for practical insights on using technology to simplify your school week. Hosted by author and educator Monica Burns, Ed.D., in partnership with Jotform, this series is designed for K-12 educators, administrators, and leaders looking to make a meaningful impact. In this episode, Monica welcomes Caroline Haebig, a K-12 coordinator of teaching and learning and ISTE author, to discuss the practical application of AI in today’s classrooms. Together, they explore how educators can move past the "wow factor" to find sustainable, research-backed ways to integrate AI into daily instruction and student work. They discuss the transition from viewing AI as a "magic wand" to treating it as a sophisticated partner for retrieval practice, lateral reading, and creative brainstorming. Caroline also shares her insights on constructing effective AI prompts through a cognitive science lens, emphasizing why transparency and clear citation norms are the foundation of AI literacy for students.

Publish Date:Apr 17, 2026

Technology Essentials in Education

E15

Episode 15: Emerging AI Trends in Education for 2026

Technology Essentials in Education is your go-to podcast for practical insights on using technology to simplify your school week. Hosted by author and educator Monica Burns, Ed.D., in partnership with Jotform, this series is designed for K-12 educators, administrators, and leaders looking to make a meaningful impact. In this episode, Monica welcomes Julie Willcott, a STEM and AI specialist and fellow Apple Distinguished Educator, to discuss the rapidly shifting landscape of educational technology. Together, they explore how AI has moved from a novelty to a pervasive daily tool in classrooms and why 2026 marks a turning point for "human-in-the-loop" systems. They discuss the transition from text-based bots to fluid, real-time AI tutoring that can scaffold learning and challenge students in ways previously only possible with human one-on-one support. Julie also shares her unique experiences with AI "interviews" and the critical importance of AI literacy—specifically identifying hallucinations and biases.

Publish Date:Apr 10, 2026

Technology Essentials in Education

E14

Episode 14: Play-Based Learning in Today’s Classrooms

Technology Essentials in Education is your go-to podcast for practical insights on using technology to simplify your school week. Hosted by author and educator Monica Burns, Ed.D., in partnership with Jotform, this series is designed for K-12 educators, administrators, and leaders looking to make a meaningful impact. In this episode, Monica welcomes Dr. Robert Dillon, an innovation expert and former school leader who specializes in bridging the gap between curriculum and engagement. Together, they dive into the power of play-based learning—from reimagining sterile hallways as "playful spaces" to using playgrounds for guided academic discovery—and how these initiatives reduce cognitive load to build a true sense of curiosity and focus.

Publish Date:Apr 03, 2026

Technology Essentials in Education

E13

Episode 13: Organizing Schoolwide Projects

Technology Essentials in Education is your go-to podcast for practical insights on using technology to simplify your school week. Hosted by author and educator Monica Burns, Ed.D., in partnership with Jotform, this series is designed for K-12 educators, administrators, and leaders looking to make a meaningful impact. In this episode, Monica welcomes Kim Marie Kefalas, a New Jersey technology teacher who manages over 500 students across two schools. Together, they dive into the power of school-wide projects—from student-led elementary podcasts to interactive door-decorating contests—and how these initiatives break down classroom silos to build a true sense of community and equity. They discuss strategies for introducing collaborative tools like Canva and Book Creator to young learners, the importance of fostering "student experts" to encourage independence, and how teachers can find inspiration by duplicating and tweaking successful projects from social media. Kim also shares her "tell three before me" approach to ensure students become confident, independent problem-solvers in the digital age.

Publish Date:Mar 27, 2026

Technology Essentials in Education

E12

Episode 12: AI Ethics in Action

Technology Essentials in Education is your go-to podcast for practical insights on using technology to simplify your school week. Hosted by author and educator Monica Burns, Ed.D., in partnership with Jotform, this series is designed for K-12 educators, administrators, and leaders looking to make a meaningful impact. In this episode, Monica chats with Nasser Jones, founder of the nonprofit Bending the AI Curve, who shares his mission to ensure the future of technology is equitable for everyone. Together, they explore how to move beyond a reactive "policing" mindset to find proactive, strategic solutions that bridge the AI gap and prepare all students for the digital age. They discuss why minimizing "tool fragmentation" is essential for reducing teacher burnout, how to use agentic AI to identify and surface bias in school data, and how the AI Academy is empowering communities of color through culturally relevant tech resources.

Publish Date:Mar 13, 2026

Technology Essentials in Education

E11

Episode 11: 5 Low or No Cost Tech Tools That Can Save Teachers Time

Technology Essentials in Education is your go-to podcast for practical insights on using technology to simplify your school week. Hosted by author and educator Monica Burns, Ed.D., in partnership with Jotform, this series is designed for K-12 educators, administrators, and leaders looking to make a meaningful impact. In this episode, Monica chats with Richard Colosi, an Instructional Technology Specialist and founder of EdTech Hustle, who shares five powerful low- or no-cost tools designed to save educators time. Together, they explore how to move beyond "tech for tech’s sake" to find digital solutions that reduce friction and help teachers focus on what matters most: their students. They discuss why tools like ChatGPT for Teachers and Notion are essential for streamlining administrative "emotional labor," how to use Google AI Studio and Microsoft Clipchamp to create more accessible, inclusive content, and how Canva Code is empowering teachers to build their own interactive classroom resources.

Publish Date:Mar 06, 2026

Technology Essentials in Education

E10

Episode 10: EdTech Trends 2026: Jotform’s Latest Research

Technology Essentials in Education is your go-to podcast for practical insights on using technology to simplify your school week. Hosted by author and educator Monica Burns, Ed.D., in partnership with Jotform, this series is designed for K-12 educators, administrators, and leaders looking to make a meaningful impact. In this episode, Monica chats with Heather Turbeville, Content Director at Jotform, who shares exclusive findings from Jotform’s 2026 EdTech Trends Report. Together, they explore the shift from the "novelty era" of AI to a new era of purposeful integration in the classroom. They discuss why educators prioritize tool interoperability over new features, how AI is being used to reclaim "brain capital," and the transition of AI from a productivity helper to a deeply embedded part of school workflows.

Publish Date:Feb 27, 2026

Technology Essentials in Education

E09

Episode 9: Simplifying Professional Development with On-Demand Tools

Technology Essentials in Education is your go-to podcast for practical insights on using technology to simplify your school week. Hosted by author and educator Monica Burns, Ed.D., in partnership with Jotform, this series is designed for K-12 educators, administrators, and leaders looking to make a meaningful impact. In this episode, Monica chats with Naomi Church, from Growing Minds Consulting, LLC, who is on a mission to help schools and districts move beyond one-time events and into professional learning that is flexible, actionable, and inclusive. Together, they discuss the definition of on-demand professional development and how focusing on the individual learner makes professional learning experiences more meaningful.

Publish Date:Feb 20, 2026

Technology Essentials in Education

E08

Episode 8: Personalizing Learning Resources for All Students

Technology Essentials in Education is your go-to podcast for practical insights on using technology to simplify your school week. Hosted by author and educator Monica Burns, Ed.D., in partnership with Jotform, this series is designed for K-12 educators, administrators, and leaders looking to make a meaningful impact. In this episode, Monica chats with Krista Leh, Ed.D., from Resonance Education LLC, who is on a mission to help secondary educators integrate social emotional learning (SEL) into academic instruction so that every learning experience feels authentic, connected, and practical.

Publish Date:Feb 06, 2026

Technology Essentials in Education

E07

Episode 7: Future-Proofing Classroom Technology: Sustainable Choices

Technology Essentials in Education is your go-to podcast for practical insights on using technology to simplify your school week. Hosted by author and educator Monica Burns, Ed.D., in partnership with Jotform, this series is designed for K-12 educators, administrators, and leaders looking to make a meaningful impact. In this episode, Monica chats with Tammy Musiowsky, Associate at Education Elements, who helps educators and school leaders cut unnecessary tasks and focus on their priorities, to discuss future-proofing classroom technology and how to create sustainable and practical ideas for educators.

Publish Date:Jan 23, 2026

Technology Essentials in Education

E06

Episode 6: Creating Uncheatable Assessments in the Age of AI

Technology Essentials in Education is your go-to podcast for practical insights on using technology to simplify your school week. Hosted by author and educator Monica Burns, Ed.D., in partnership with Jotform, this series is designed for K-12 educators, administrators, and leaders looking to make a meaningful impact. In this first episode of 2026, Monica chats with Michael Hernandez, a California-based ISTE author who is an Apple Distinguished Educator, about how to create an uncheatable assessment in the age of AI.

Publish Date:Jan 09, 2026

Technology Essentials in Education

E05

Episode 5: What You Should Know about Creating Accessible Resources

Technology Essentials in Education is your go-to podcast for practical insights on using technology to simplify your school week. Hosted by author and educator Monica Burns, Ed.D., in partnership with Jotform, this series is designed for K-12 educators, administrators, and leaders looking to make a meaningful impact. In this episode, Monica chats with Dr. Katie Nieves Licwinko, a Director of Technology in New Jersey, about the importance of creating accessible resources for students. You'll hear about common accessibility barriers and practical tips for improving accessibility for diverse learners using EdTech. If you’re looking to learn more about creating inclusive learning environments, this episode has you covered!

Publish Date:Feb 28, 2025

Technology Essentials in Education

E04

Episode 4: How to Tackle Student Data

Technology Essentials in Education is your go-to podcast for practical insights on using technology to simplify your school week. Hosted by author and educator Monica Burns, Ed.D., in partnership with Jotform, this series is designed for K-12 educators, administrators, and leaders looking to make a meaningful impact. In this episode, Monica breaks down how to transform student data into actionable insights that drive classroom success in K-12 education. You'll learn practical strategies for combining traditional assessment methods with digital tools to create an efficient, evidence-based approach to understanding student progress. If you want to master the art of using data to make informed instructional decisions that support every student's growth, this episode provides ideas you can put into practice right away.

Publish Date:Feb 21, 2025

Technology Essentials in Education

E03

Episode 3: AI Trends You Should Watch This Year

In this episode, Monica chats with Carl Hooker, the author of Learning Evolution: The New Era of AI in the Classroom, all about the latest AI trends in education. You’ll hear about AI-powered tools to look out for spanning AI-powered tutoring, content creation, personalized learning, and more. If you want actionable tips for effectively using AI in your classroom to elevate teaching and learning, this episode is for you!

Publish Date:Feb 14, 2025

Technology Essentials in Education

E02

Episode 2: Classroom Management Challenges in a Digital Age

Technology Essentials in Education is your go-to podcast for practical insights on using technology to simplify your school week. Hosted by author and educator Monica Burns, Ed.D., in partnership with Jotform, this series is designed for K-12 educators, administrators, and leaders looking to make a meaningful impact. In this episode, Monica chats with Laurie Guyon, the author of SMILE Learning: Leveraging the Power of Educational Technology, to explore actionable strategies for tackling classroom management challenges. You'll hear her expert tips for establishing routines, leveraging AI tools, and differentiating instruction for diverse students. If you're looking to master classroom management and enhance student engagement with EdTech, be sure to tune in!

Publish Date:Feb 07, 2025

Technology Essentials in Education

E01

Episode 1: Crafting the Perfect Student Interest Survey

In this episode, Monica shares essential tips for designing an optimized student interest survey and how educators can use surveys to boost student engagement and personalize learning. You'll hear specific strategies for crafting surveys across different grade levels and content areas. Tune into this episode and learn how to create more targeted, student-centered learning experiences that connect with kids' interests, motivations, and learning preferences.

Publish Date:Jan 31, 2025