Author: edtechbites

Ep. 199 | How AI And Churros Have Changed My Work w/ Mason Nichols

In this episode of EdTech Bites, I dive into the world of AI with Mason Nichols. This episode was recorded live from Honchos Churros in San Antonio. We explore how technologies like ChatGPT are revolutionizing the classroom, from personalized learning tools to innovative educational uses that are making teachers’ lives easier. Alongside some of the best churros in San Antonio, we discuss our favorite AI tools and share insights on how these advancements are shaping the future of education. Tune in to discover how AI is not just a subject of study, but a dynamic teaching assistant in today’s digital world. Buen provecho!

The Book Is Officially Out!

My first book “Cooking Up Experiences In The Classroom: Focus On Experiences, Not Just Lessons” is officially out! A HUGE shout out to Lumio for helping sponsor this book. I’m super excited about this project. It’s filled with ideas on how to make memorable experiences for your students. In addition, each chapter also lays out a specific recipe mentioned in that chapter along with a video tutorial on how to prepare that dish. Make sure you get your copy and cook up some experiences for your students and loved ones!

Click Here To Purchase Your Copy On Amazon

Connect With Gabriel Carrillo

About Mason Nichols

Mason is a passionate elementary educator who enjoys using technology tools to empower students. He recently graduated with his Masters Degree in Learning Experience Design and Educational Technology. Additionally, Mason enjoys sharing resources and tech tools on social media along with presenting at ISTE, TCEA, and CUE.

Connect With Mason Nichols

Google Docs and Google Keep Hack For Extracting Text From Images!

In this video, I reveal how to use a little known hack with Google Docs and Google Keep. This will allow you to pull text from images, like screenshots, and use the text directly in a Google Doc. Stop inserting those screenshot images into your Google Docs only to end up with multiple fonts, sizes, and quality. Do this instead!

Ep. 198 | The Final Stretch: 7 Tips To End The Year Strong

In this episode, I share invaluable insights and practical tips for teachers to finish the school year with strength and success. From reflecting on progress to maintaining motivation, engaging students, and managing time effectively, this episode provides a comprehensive guide to wrapping up the year on a high note. Whether you’re a seasoned educator or a new teacher, tune in to discover strategies for ending the school year with finesse and celebrating accomplishments with your students. Get ready to power through the final stretch and emerge victorious as you cross the finish line with confidence! Buen provecho!

The Book Is Officially Out!

My first book “Cooking Up Experiences In The Classroom: Focus On Experiences, Not Just Lessons” is officially out! A HUGE shout out to Lumio for helping sponsor this book. I’m super excited about this project. It’s filled with ideas on how to make memorable experiences for your students. In addition, each chapter also lays out a specific recipe mentioned in that chapter along with a video tutorial on how to prepare that dish. Make sure you get your copy and cook up some experiences for your students and loved ones!

Click Here To Purchase Your Copy On Amazon

Connect With Gabriel Carrillo

Ep. 197 | Three Things Your Boss Needs To Hear To Send You To Conferences

In this episode, I go on a solo rant with my good friend, ChocoFlan. I indulge in some delicious ChocoFlan while I give you 3 reasons to tell your boss to send you to more conferences. This episode came to me after having discussions with friends who didn’t get a chance to attend these conferences and wish they would have. If they had just told their boss these three things, we might have crossed paths at FETC and TCEA 2024. Buen provecho!

The Book Is Officially Out!

My first book “Cooking Up Experiences In The Classroom: Focus On Experiences, Not Just Lessons” is officially out! A HUGE shout out to Lumio for helping sponsor this book. I’m super excited about this project. It’s filled with ideas on how to make memorable experiences for your students. In addition, each chapter also lays out a specific recipe mentioned in that chapter along with a video tutorial on how to prepare that dish. Make sure you get your copy and cook up some experiences for your students and loved ones!

Click Here To Purchase Your Copy On Amazon

Connect With Gabriel Carrillo

Ep. 196 | The Grass Roots Growth Of Magic School AI w/ Adeel Kahn

In this episode, I’m joined by Adeel Kahn, CEO and founder of Magic School AI. He gives us his background in education and how he went about making his education dreams come true. But why stop there! He went a step further and in under a year, built Magic School AI. He also tells us about the limited marketing they’ve been doing and how word of mouth has took them to an astronomical number of users worldwide! Peep the great conversation and hear his passion for helping teachers come through the microphone. Buen provecho!

Connect With Adeel and Magic School AI

The Book Is Officially Out!

My first book “Cooking Up Experiences In The Classroom: Focus On Experiences, Not Just Lessons” is officially out! A HUGE shout out to Lumio for helping sponsor this book. I’m super excited about this project. It’s filled with ideas on how to make memorable experiences for your students. In addition, each chapter also lays out a specific recipe mentioned in that chapter along with a video tutorial on how to prepare that dish. Make sure you get your copy and cook up some experiences for your students and loved ones!

Click Here To Purchase Your Copy On Amazon

Connect With Gabriel Carrillo

A Memorable 2024 FETC Experience: Connecting, Presenting, and Savoring the Flavor

I recently had the privilege of attending and contributing to the FETC Conference in Orlando, Florida, and what an experience it was! As an educator passionate about leveraging technology to enhance learning, I had the opportunity to present two insightful sessions for fellow educators. The first was “Quick And Easy Student Projects Using Canva” and the second was “More Ways To Slay Vocabulary With Students”. In addition to this, I was also at the Meet The Author booth with other X-Factor EDU authors doing a book signing. This was a first for me. My book “Cooking Up Experiences In The Classroom: Focus On Experiences, Not Just Lessons” was released just days before FETC so the timing of it all was perfect! A HUGE shout out to Lumio for helping this book come to life. I’m usually the one in line for a book but this time, I was on the other side of the booth!

Click On The Image Below To Purchase The Book On Amazon!

While there, I also conducted some podcast interview. All of these episodes were sponsored by Lightspeed. If you’re not sure what Lightspeeed is all about, check out episode 190 with Shaun Fagan linked below! I interviewed some great guests (and friends) and covered topics such as student podcasting, creation over consumption, leadership, and Artificial Intelligence. All episodes are linked below so make sure you give them a listen here or on your favorite podcast app.

Beyond the conference halls, the evenings took on a different flavor as I had the pleasure of hosting two delightful food tours, sponsored by Kami. These tours not only offered a chance to savor the diverse culinary delights Orlando has to offer but also served as a unique platform for educators to unwind, connect, and share their experiences. I was almost brought to tears witnessing like-minded strangers coming together to break bread. There were lots of laughs and camaraderie on these tours and that is what I’m all about, breaking bread while having great conversations with even better people.

FETC is one of my favorite conferences and really contributes to my network and expertise. I always have great conversations while there, learn from individuals, and contribute to the learning as well. Check out the wrap up video and all of my podcast conversations below. See you at FETC 2025 and buen provecho!

2024 FETC Podcast Episodes

Ep. 190 | Lightspeed’s Mission: To Help Every Student Hear Every Word w/ Shaun Fagan

Ep. 191 | Creation > Consumption: Discussing FUN In The Classroom With Kristen Brooks

Ep. 192 | The Myths Of Podcasting With Jeff Bradbury and Dan Kreiness

Ep. 193 | The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly Of AI With Carl Hooker

Ep. 194 | Talking Tech & Thrive Over Quesitos Con Guayaba With Denise Musselwhite

Ep. 195 | Learning With Mundo, X-Factor EDU, Building Relationships, And Pastries With Marialice Curran And Matt Joseph

Ep. 195 | Learning With Mundo, X-Factor EDU, Building Relationships, And Pastries With Marialice Curran And Matt Joseph

This episode is sponsored by Lightspeed. Lightspeed, the provider of instructional audio solutions that create equal access to learning, is on a mission to help every student hear every word. Please visit www.lightspeed-tek.com to learn more.

In this special episode, I’m joined by Marialice Curran and Matt Joseph. Each of them have moved mountains in the world of education but together… they’re something else! We discuss Mundo (listen to hear who Mundo is) and X-Factor EDU. I also learn a bit of information about Marialice and Matt’s friendship that will surprise you. Our conversation is fueled by quesitos con guayaba pastries. This is a special episode that is sure to bring a smile to your face. Buen provecho!

About Marialice

Internationally recognized as a digital citizenship expert, Dr. Marialice B.F.X. Curran is an educator, consultant, speaker, and community architect who is the global connector behind the Digital Citizenship Institute. Committed to Human-Centered Design, Dr. Curran leads by hand, heart, and mind as she models how to make a positive impact in local, global, and digital communities. She has served as an associate professor, and middle school teacher and principal. As a connected educator, her intergenerational work with school communities creates positive and powerful shifts in how we use technology for good.

About Matt

Dr. Matthew X. Joseph is the Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning in New Bedford MA. He is also the CEO of X-Factor EDU consulting and publishing. Experiences such as Executive Director of Teaching and Learning, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Director of Digital Learning and Innovation, elementary school principal, classroom teacher, and district professional development specialist have provided Matt with incredible insights on how to best support teaching and learning and led to nationally published articles and opportunities to speak at multiple state and national events.

Connect With Marialice

Connect With Matt

The Book Is Officially Out!

My first book “Cooking Up Experiences In The Classroom: Focus On Experiences, Not Just Lessons” is officially out! A HUGE shout out to Lumio for helping sponsor this book. I’m super excited about this project. It’s filled with ideas on how to make memorable experiences for your students. In addition, each chapter also lays out a specific recipe mentioned in that chapter along with a video tutorial on how to prepare that dish. Make sure you get your copy and cook up some experiences for your students and loved ones!

Click Here To Purchase Your Copy On Amazon

Connect With Gabriel Carrillo

Ep. 194 | Talking Tech & Thrive Over Quesitos Con Guayaba With Denise Musselwhite

This episode is sponsored by Lightspeed. Lightspeed, the provider of instructional audio solutions that create equal access to learning, is on a mission to help every student hear every word. Please visit www.lightspeed-tek.com to learn more.

In this episode, I chat with Denise Musselwhite, Founder of Tech & Thrive. We met the day before the recording while at FETC 2024 right outside of the Orange County Convention Center. we had a conversation that led to a podcast episode and eventually a partnership. She talks to us about the obstacles she had to go through in the world of tech and how this led her to start Tech & Thrive. She shares great insight on how the world of technology and education have come together for her and how she contributes to this audience through her work. So relax and enjoy this episode with your favorite dessert and get ready to learn. Buen provecho!

About Denise

Denise Acosta Musselwhite is a former CIO whose mission is to liberate diverse technology professionals from the visible and invisible pressures of technology leadership through transparent and supportive CIO advisory andexecutive leadership development. She is a highly regarded technologyprofessional with an extensive background in senior leadership across diverse sectors, including education, technology, non-profits, and legal, spanning over two decades. She stands out as one of the rare Latina women globally to have held Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Board Chair positions, a distinction shared by only 5% of professionals worldwide. Denise is recognized as a catalyst for transformative change and brings specialized expertise in tech talent management, aiding organizations in retention, growth, and attraction.

As the visionary founder of Tech & Thrive, Denise has dedicated her career to empowering and propelling diverse technology professionals within the industry. Her innovative T.H.R.I.V.E. Operating SystemTM forms the foundation of personalized development plans, delivered through tailored consulting, one-on-one, and group coaching programs. Denise’s educational qualifications include a B.S. in Information Technology Management and an M.S. in Leadership.

She holds professional certifications in executive leadership coaching at the mastery level, self- optimization, board leadership, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Denise’s impact extends to creating, instructing, and establishing operational and professional technology management standards. She collaborates closely with organizations, serving as a strategic partner and coach in the development, and facilitation of strategies and processes that elevate both human and operational performance and growth.

Connect With Denise

The Book Is Officially Out!

My first book “Cooking Up Experiences In The Classroom: Focus On Experiences, Not Just Lessons” is officially out! A HUGE shout out to Lumio for helping sponsor this book. I’m super excited about this project. It’s filled with ideas on how to make memorable experiences for your students. In addition, each chapter also lays out a specific recipe mentioned in that chapter along with a video tutorial on how to prepare that dish. Make sure you get your copy and cook up some experiences for your students and loved ones!

Click Here To Purchase Your Copy On Amazon

Connect With Gabriel Carrillo

Ep. 193 | The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly Of AI With Carl Hooker

This episode is sponsored by Lightspeed. Lightspeed, the provider of instructional audio solutions that create equal access to learning, is on a mission to help every student hear every word. Please visit www.lightspeed-tek.com to learn more.

In this episode, I sit down with Carl Hooker to talk about what some others are NOT willing to talk about when it comes to AI; the good, the bad, and the downright horrific!!! This episode was recorded at FETC 2024 in Orlando, Florida. We literally break bread while discussing this hot topic, donuts specifically. This is a great in-person conversation with great energy with an even better friend. Buen provecho!

About Carl Hooker

Carl Hooker is a 25-year educator from Austin, TX. He’s an 8-time author, 5-time podcast host, 2-time bar owner, 3-time father, and 1-time husband. His latest book, Learning Evolution tackles the challenges of AI-enhanced learning and empowers teachers to leverage this new technology in creative ways for learning. He identifies as a pizza-lover, with a regular household debate between Detroit-style and New York-style.

Connect With Carl

The Book Is Officially Out!

My first book “Cooking Up Experiences In The Classroom: Focus On Experiences, Not Just Lessons” is officially out! A HUGE shout out to Lumio for helping sponsor this book. I’m super excited about this project. It’s filled with ideas on how to make memorable experiences for your students. In addition, each chapter also lays out a specific recipe mentioned in that chapter along with a video tutorial on how to prepare that dish. Make sure you get your copy and cook up some experiences for your students and loved ones!

Click Here To Purchase Your Copy On Amazon

Connect With Gabriel Carrillo

Ep. 192 | The Myths Of Podcasting With Jeff Bradbury and Dan Kreiness

This episode is sponsored by Lightspeed. Lightspeed, the provider of instructional audio solutions that create equal access to learning, is on a mission to help every student hear every word. Please visit www.lightspeed-tek.com to learn more.

In this episode, I’m joined by Jeff Bradbury and Dan Kreiness to debunk some of the podcast myths. We also discuss the peaks and valleys of podcasting. With each of us bringing a set of skills to the table, student podcasting is also a hot topic for all three of us. This episode was recorded at FETC 2024 in Orlando, Florida. Buen provecho!

About Jeff Bradbury

Jeff Bradbury is an ISTE Award Winning (2021) and globally recognized digital learning strategist, educational broadcaster, public speaker, and entrepreneur, whose powerful message has inspired thousands of educators through the TeacherCast Educational Network where he uses Future Ready skills to promote digital learning.

Connect With Jeff

About Dr. Dan Kreiness

Dr. Dan Kreiness is an instructional leader, podcast host, author, and speaker who constantly searches for the most effective ways to advance education and produce high student achievement. Dr. Kreiness has worked in education for over 18 years as a school administrator, instructional coach, intervention specialist, and classroom teacher while working in districts in the New York City metro area in New York and Connecticut. Dr. Kreiness hosts the popular Leader of Learning podcast and is the author of “The Transformational Leader’s Reflection Journal. Dr. Kreiness was named to the 2017 class of ASCD Emerging Leaders. Dr. Kreiness is a contributing author for 100 No-Nonsense Things that ALL School Leaders Should STOP Doing, 100 No-Nonsense Things that ALL Teachers Should STOP Doing, Edumatch Snapshot in Education (2017) Volume 2: Professional Practice and The EduMatch Teacher’s Recipe Guide: Survive and Thrive in the Kitchen and Beyond.

Connect With Dan

The Book Is Officially Out!

My first book “Cooking Up Experiences In The Classroom: Focus On Experiences, Not Just Lessons” is officially out! A HUGE shout out to Lumio for helping sponsor this book. I’m super excited about this project. It’s filled with ideas on how to make memorable experiences for your students. In addition, each chapter also lays out a specific recipe mentioned in that chapter along with a video tutorial on how to prepare that dish. Make sure you get your copy and cook up some experiences for your students and loved ones!

Click Here To Purchase Your Copy On Amazon

Connect With Gabriel Carrillo