In this episode of the Integrate This! EdTech Podcast, we’re joined by Ruben Puentedura, creator of the SAMR model and founder of Hippasus, for a deep conversation on learning design, professional development, and what generative AI means for education.

Ruben shares his origin story, how SAMR emerged from real classroom research, and why the model is more relevant than ever in the age of AI. We explore common mistakes schools make with professional development, how learning should evolve beyond tools, and why creativity, storytelling, and student agency are essential for meaningful transformation.

This episode goes beyond buzzwords and gets into how learning actually changes—from K–12 classrooms to higher education, business, and beyond.

Short hook (first lines matter): What does responsible, teacher-first AI actually look like in the classroom? In this episode of Integrate This!, we’re joined by Arman Jaffer, CEO of Brisk Teaching AI, to talk about AI innovation in education—done right.

Full description: In this episode of Integrate This!, we sit down with Arman Jaffer, CEO and co-founder of Brisk Teaching AI, to explore how artificial intelligence can meaningfully support teachers without adding more to their workload.

Arman shares the story behind Brisk Teaching AI, the instructional challenges it was designed to solve, and how the platform focuses on high-quality feedback, teacher efficiency, and ethical AI use in education. We discuss why keeping teachers “in the loop” matters, how Brisk avoids AI hype, and what thoughtful AI integration can look like in real classrooms.

This conversation is ideal for K–12 educators, instructional coaches, tech integrationists, and school leaders who want practical AI tools that enhance—not replace—great teaching.

Brisk Teaching AI: https://www.briskteaching.com

What if assessment felt less like a “final verdict” and more like an ongoing draft—full of feedback, revision, and real learning?

In this episode, Jeremy and David sit down with Jen Ivers (Orono Public Schools) to talk about authentic assessment in the age of AI, and why the writer’s room mindset can be a powerful model for classrooms. Jen shares how shifting from “after-the-fact” feedback to process-based coaching can change what students produce—and what they learn along the way.

You’ll hear practical ways to:

• Design assessment that’s more authentic and personalized
• Use AI as a partner without losing student thinking
• Build a writer’s room culture: brainstorming, iteration, and collaboration
• Close feedback loops using tools like Gemini and Apps Script
• Help students evaluate AI feedback instead of blindly trusting it

If you’re trying to make assessment more meaningful (and more doable), this one’s for you.

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Resources and Links:

Jen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jen-ivers-577765372/

Authentic Assessment in the Age of AI Presentation: https://www.canva.com/design/DAG320Rh5bk/i92CaaNTt4l_plbbLFnJXQ/view?utm_content=DAG320Rh5bk&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h0e6e408b4a

What should AI literacy actually look like for educators—and how do we keep students at the center while AI changes everything around teaching, learning, and assessment?

In this episode of the Integrate This! EdTech Podcast, David Berner and Jeremy Mikla sit down with Alana Winnick (EdTech Director, author of The Generative Age, and host of The Generative Age Podcast) to unpack what it means to redesign learning in an AI world. Alana also previews her FETC 2026 keynote, “The Future of Learning: Empowering Every Student to Thrive,” and shares what she’s bringing to the conference.

You’ll hear practical ideas for:

• Building a culture where teachers feel safe to try, iterate, and learn
• Using AI for accessibility and multilingual family communication
• Rethinking writing and assessment so we evaluate the learning process, not just the final product
• A simple AI literacy framing: be the detective (bias + misinformation) and the DJ (remix with your voice)
• Why “guidelines” often work better than “policies” in fast-changing AI spaces

What actually makes students lean in? In this episode of the Integrate This! EdTech Podcast, we sit down with Dave Burgess—New York Times bestselling author of Teach Like a Pirate—to unpack the mindset (and practical moves) behind outrageously engaging teaching.

Dave shares his origin story, why “questions are the key to creativity,” and how engagement isn’t about gimmicks—it’s about how we present learning in ways that feel relevant and irresistible to kids. You’ll also hear about the “false dichotomy” of fun vs. learning (and why they go better together), plus ways teachers can brainstorm stronger hooks—yes, including how AI can help generate ideas while the teacher leads the learning journey.

In this conversation, you’ll learn:

• How Dave built his approach by collecting 170+ lesson-design questions
• Why many teachers don’t struggle with content… they struggle with presentation
• What “hooks” really are—and how to use them to pull students into rigorous learning
• How to build rapport that strengthens engagement over time
• Why “fun + learning” isn’t a tradeoff—it’s a multiplier

🎧 Perfect for teachers, instructional coaches, and school leaders who want students buzzing about learning—for the right reasons.

Step inside the world of Day of AI with co-founder and CEO Jeff Riley. In this episode, Jeff shares how Day of AI empowers students to think critically, understand emerging technologies, and build the skills they’ll need in an AI-driven future.

We dig into:

• Why AI literacy isn’t optional for today’s learners
• How Day of AI creates free, accessible curriculum for all schools
• The importance of equity in AI education
• What teachers need to feel confident using AI in the classroom
• How students can move from simply using AI to understanding and shaping it

Whether you’re a teacher, tech leader, or just curious about where education is headed, this conversation delivers practical insights and big-picture ideas you can bring back to your own school or district.

Listen in and get inspired to help your students thrive in the age of AI.

Links:

https://dayofai.org/

https://dayofai.org/contact-us

In this episode, we sit down with Amanda Otero, a trusted instructional leader who works at the intersection of AI in education, digital citizenship, and district-level policy. Amanda shares how she helps schools build practical, human-centered guidelines for AI, and why supporting students starts with meeting them along a spectrum of skills, needs, and confidence.

We dive into how thought partnership strengthens good teaching, the role of policy in shaping safe and ethical AI use, and the importance of grounding technology decisions in principles rather than fear. And yes… we even talk about the classic line, “I don’t talk to robots,” and how educators can move beyond that mindset.

Whether you're a classroom teacher, tech coach, or leader shaping school-wide AI practices, this conversation delivers clarity, encouragement, and plenty of real-world examples from Amanda’s work.

Links:

Amanda on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-otero-14768720b/

Amanda's Dueling AI's Presentation: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1an0d4W8ouDrNTMwLxJPlSofOXWjmra3z7h7OrWnIwi4/present?slide=id.g10a2ff05e56_1_238

Amanda's Dueling AI's Resource Hub: https://sites.google.com/apps.district196.org/dueling-ais/start?authuser=0

In this lively episode of Integrate This!, Jeremy and David welcome the one and only Brian Buffington—musician, speaker, educator, and “Chief Glitter Officer.” From tech coaching with style to making learning stick with humor and heart, Brian shares his creative approach to professional development, storytelling, and empowering teachers to stay curious and courageous.

We talk AI, authenticity, the art of presenting, and even a bit about his 8th-grade mustache. This conversation is packed with laughter, insights, and those signature Buff Nuggets of wisdom.

🎵 Show Links:

• Brian Buffington’s Website
• Sign up for The Buff Nuggets Newsletter
• Listen to Brian’s Album / “8th Grade Mustache” on Spotify
• Brian on X/Twitter: https://x.com/brianbuffington Brian on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brianbuffington/Brian on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/brianbuffington.bsky.social Brian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-buffington-82292077/