Ed Tech with Kat and Zach

Zach and Kat look at grading as a practice and try to figure out if how antiquated our traditional approaches have become as we embrace more technology tool. They look at how Edtech tools can be used to help provide better and relevant feedback while expediting grading practices. They also look at the mental health impacts that grading has on teachers and students and how technology can both negatively and positively impact this process.

Reflecting on their work integrating technology in public schools, Kat and Zach spend their time discussing how to encourage changes in teaching practice. They spend the first portion of the discussion looking at the importance of professional conflict to move forward with new teaching ideas. Then they look at how instructional support specialists and leaders must build trust and relationships and embrace negative feedback loops. Lastly, they discuss strategically supporting groups of teaching staff

Zach and Kat run through quick rounds discussing tools they like to use to facilitate and speed up classroom processes. They discuss single-sign on, QR codes, URL shorteners and other tool to help a class move quickly during a tech based lesson.

Zach and Kat discuss how they both got into Ed Tech. Later on the discussion shifts to a deeper exploration of how teachers can begin their EdTech journeys. This includes the rationale behind why it is important to shift instructional approaches to use more tech tools and why this is important for meeting students where they are at in their own educational journeys.

Zach and Kat spend their first episode discussing how a Learning Management System can help drive innovative practice in a public school environment.