An #EdTech PD Buffet - HoET191

An #EdTech PD Buffet - HoET191

Author: Christopher J. Nesi December 5, 2021 Duration: 1:02:00
Episode Sponsor: Everfi

Everfi has resources to help teachers equip their students with the lifelong skills they'll need after graduation. From financial literacy to mental wellness, these free lessons will help schools be successful whether they are in face-to-face or online learning environments.

#EdTech Thought (5:50)

Fads, Trends, and Snake Oil

You're going to start seeing, and I'm seeing it already, people who are going to claim Metaverse and NFT expertise in the education space. Don't let these become just more buzzwords in education.

Do your homework if you're truly interested in learning more. I believe that both of these stand to make a serious impact in the future of all humanity. Yes, ALL OF HUMANITY. But we're not there yet.

Read articles. Listen to podcasts. Find out about the Metaverse and NFTs outside of the scope of education.

Will there be a benefit in education? I believe we have ways to go and I don't want to see you get sold a bill of goods or find yourself with a basket full of snake oil.

What are your thoughts on the Metaverse and NFTs in education? Let's have a conversation and learn together.

#EdTech Recommendation (11:04)

Glide - Create powerful apps and websites, without code.

If you can make a spreadsheet in Google Sheets you can create your own mobile app. Sound too good to be true? It's not.

Ways to use Glide in education:

  1. Create a mobile study guide: You or your students could create an app that lists each section or unit of your curriculum. In each section, you can provide videos, podcasts, or simply link to additional documents for review.
  2. Create a mobile version of school handbooks: When parents have a question about your school, their first instinct is probably to pick up their phones to search your school's website or to call the office. A mobile version of your school's handbook could make it easy for parents to quickly find the answers to frequently asked questions.
  3. Create a guide to your community: Are you looking for a community service project for your middle school or high school students? If so, consider having them develop a guide to the highlights of your community.
  4. Develop a mobile reporting system: Do you have students or parents using Google Forms for logging information about multiple goals like independent reading, outdoor play, or behavior goals? If so, consider placing links to all of those forms in one convenient app. You'd do this by placing the links to your Forms in the columns in your spreadsheet before publishing it through Glide.
  5. Room Use Schedule: Do you work in a school that has more teachers than classrooms? Is it a guessing game as to who is using which room when. Having an app that can make it easy to find out who is using which rooms at which times would be amazing! With Glide you could create that kind of app.

Featured Content (14:46)

Rachel Langenhorst is a technology integrationist and instructional coach in Rock Valley, Iowa. A 27-year veteran in education, she prides herself on being a change agent and life-long learner. Rachel empowers others through collaboration, creation, and connection. She speaks and instructs throughout the Midwest, focusing her efforts on technology integration strategies, social media, Internet safety, and effective teaching practices. Graduate-level instructor North Western College and University of Sioux Falls & Sr. Education Specialist for the Mayo Clinic.


In the ever-evolving landscape of classrooms and digital tools, House of #EdTech serves as a grounded conversation about what actually works. Hosted by educator Christopher J. Nesi, this podcast moves beyond simple tool reviews to examine the practical integration of technology with effective teaching strategies. Each episode feels like a collegial chat, where Chris and his guests-often fellow teachers and innovators-break down the latest trends, dissect new platforms, and share honest reflections on their successes and setbacks in real educational settings. The focus is squarely on actionable ideas that can enhance instruction, streamline workflow, and ultimately support student learning. It’s a resource built for the daily realities of teaching, whether you’re looking to refine a single technique or reimagine your approach to edtech. The discussions are rooted in experience, making complex topics accessible and immediately relevant. You’ll find a consistent emphasis on the human element behind the screens, exploring how technology can foster connection and creativity rather than replace it. Tune in for a thoughtful, no-nonsense take on navigating the intersection of education and modern tools. This is a podcast dedicated to the practitioners in the field, offering a blend of inspiration and practical how-to guidance that acknowledges both the potential and the pitfalls of bringing tech into learning spaces.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

House of #EdTech
Podcast Episodes
TrafficLiteEdu: How to Clearly Define AI Use in Schools - HoET268 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:56
AI is everywhere in education—but clarity isn’t.I’m joined by Derek Tranchina, creator of TrafficLiteEdu, to unpack one of the biggest challenges schools are facing right now: not whether to use AI, but how to use it wel…
The 2026 "Level Up" – 6 Tools to Transform Your Practice - HoET266 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:36
Kicking off 2026, let's cut through the noise and focus on what actually matters: edtech tools that can genuinely move the needle for educators. Rather than chasing trends or shiny new platforms, this episode is about in…
2025 House of #EdTech Smackdown - HoET265 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:45
The House of #EdTech SmackDown is back — and episode 265 delivers the 12th annual celebration of educator-shared tools, ideas, and inspiration. This fan-favorite episode brings together contributions from teachers, coach…
The Importance of Education Beyond Technology - HoET263 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:20
In Episode 263 of the House of #EdTech podcast, Chris Nesi steps back from the gadgets, apps, and AI tools to remind educators what truly powers learning — education itself. While technology continues to reshape classroo…
How to Build a Responsible AI Policy for Your Classroom - HoET262 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:16
In Episode 262 of the House of #EdTech, Chris Nesi explores the timely and necessary topic of creating a responsible AI policy for your classroom. With artificial intelligence tools becoming more integrated into educatio…
Canva Create 2025 - What's New for Educators? - HoET261 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:31
In this exciting crossover episode, Chris Nesi teams up with Leena Marie Saleh (The EdTech Guru) for a detailed look into Canva's latest educational innovations unveiled during Canva Create 2025. Whether you're a teacher…
Empowering Young Minds: AI in the Elementary Classroom - HoET260 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:20
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming education, but when we think about AI in the classroom, we often picture high school or college students using it for research, coding, or content creation. But what about ele…
Leveling Up Learning: Gamification in Education - HoET259 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:49
In this episode of House of #EdTech, I discuss the what, why, and how of gamification in education! By incorporating game design elements into your teaching, you can boost student motivation, engagement, and learning out…