Tech & Learning's new weekly article/podcast series, “Tech & Learning Conversations,” is hosted by veteran edtech reporter Kevin Hogan, who digs beyond the prompts to get to the human side of every story.
Each week, Kevin will interview innovative edtech leaders from school districts, industry, researchers, and more to discuss:
- Industry Trends: Not the clickbait headlines, but the real trends that are impacting student success.
- Overcoming Challenges: Real educators share their solutions to the challenges they’ve encountered, from the classroom to the board room.
- A Look Ahead Beyond the Bells & Whistles: What technology is likely to make a real impact in teaching and learning – and what is more likely hot air.
KEVIN'S LATEST CONVERSATIONS
Beyond the Classroom: How Esports Spaces Double as Learning Hubs
Extron's Jason Bond explains how districts can start small with esports AV infrastructure, leverage dual-purpose spaces, and use AV over IP to build a scalable foundation for student engagement.
Get Cash Out of the Backpack: Adopting Digital Communication And Payments
Chad Stevens, Head of Growth & Partnerships at ClassDojo for Districts on digital payments, family engagement, and the future of school-to-home communication
Responsible Use Is The New Acceptable Use: One District's Pragmatic Playbook for the AI Era
Pineville ISD (TX) technology coordinator Kenzo Vanhaesebroeck explains why vague-on-purpose policy, a grading scale for AI use, and teacher-to-teacher modeling are the best defenses a small district has against an overnight technological revolution
Better Safe Than Sorry: A Gold-Standard Approach To Cybersecurity
Charles Franklin, Assistant Superintendent of Technology & Information Services at Cypress-Fairbanks ISD in Texas, shares his district's approach to cybersecurity and data privacy.
Take Teaching To The Next Level: Live From The Kira Event
Kira execs and beta-users explore new ways to use AI in schools.
How The West May Win When It Comes To Improving Literacy
Allison Zimmermann, CEO of Foundations in Learning, and Dr. Seth King, Associate Professor of Special Education at the University of Iowa, on their initiative to help struggling readers across rural Wyoming, Iowa, and other states—with lessons for schools everywhere.
From Compliance to Companion: How One District Built an AI Culture That Puts Students First
Franklin Township Schools (IN) Director of Technology Integration Nadine Gilkison and Superintendent Dr. Chase Huotari share their three-year journey moving beyond AI policy debates to create authentic learning experiences.
A Different Way to Lead
Marlon Styles Jr., Award-winning superintendent and upcoming keynote for the Tech & Learning Leadership Summit at NCCE 26, delivers new techniques to manage today’s school districts.
The Scoop on BETT 2026
Elizabeth Crawford, Senior Director, Global Education at Kahoot! breaks down BETT, this year’s largest edtech conference.
Let’s Make Some Things Clear: One District's Communications Evolution
Superintendent Tom Livezey of Oakridge Public Schools in Muskegon, Michigan, discusses how he implemented a deliberate approach to communication, that wasn't a grand strategic plan but rather a series of "course corrections" responding to parent needs and changing technology.
How Teachers Can Kick TikTok's Butt (Kind Of)
Matt Bardin, former educator and Zinc Learning Labs Founder, argues that teachers shouldn't try to compete with TikTok's dopamine hits, but instead offer the deeper satisfaction of meaningful reading experiences.
Survey Says: The Human Touch Defines Student Success
Peter Emmel, Director of Technology at Randolph Township Schools (NJ), and Juliana Finegan, VP of Educator Experience at Vivi break down the 2025 Global Teacher Insights Report, in which 85% of nearly 2,000 teachers worldwide identified strong teacher-student relationships and active engagement as the two most influential factors in their sense of success.
Beyond the Ban: Why Taking Away Phones Isn't Enough
FETC 2026 keynote speaker Alana Winnick argues schools must explain the "why" behind cell phone bans and teach students self-regulation for the real world.
Addressing The Digital Design Divide
The State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) reports that teachers increasingly have access to technology but lack the time, resources, and training to integrate it effectively into their instruction. Kevin unpacks the issue and explores solutions with Julia Fallon, Executive Director, and Ji Soo Song, Director of Projects and Initiatives at SETDA.
AI Gets Real
How should schools respond to students' increasing use of artificial intelligence tools? Is a total ban the best answer, or is there a legitimate place for generative AI in the classroom? Join Kevin and educator and edtech innovator Carl Hooker as they answer these questions and discuss the options.
How Next-Generation CTE Programs Prepare Students for High-Wage, High-Demand Careers
Career and technical education (CTE) has evolved far beyond the traditional "vocational ed" model. Aldine Independent School District executive director Brooke Martin oversees programs serving 19,000 students across multiple career pathways, preparing them for high-paying, high-demand jobs rather than just minimum wage opportunities.
Things We Talk About When We Talk About Student Engagement
90% of educators, superintendents, and principals recognize the importance of student engagement—yet they disagree on what engagement means. In fact, while majorities of superintendents and principals believe they have the right tools to measure engagement, only about half of teachers agree. Kevin explores this dichotomy in his conversation with Brian Shaw, CEO of Discovery Education.
Exploring the Dynamics of Online Gaming Behavior
Within the gaming ecosystem, there's an underworld—anonymous chat rooms where 83 million American players have faced harassment, where extremist recruitment happens, and where hate speech thrives unchecked. Kevin's conversation highlights the gap facing parents and educators who struggle to understand gaming's hidden dangers.
Back to Basics: Why Student Engagement Remains a Core Priority
Has all the buzz about AI, VR, and other emerging technologies changed the way education leaders measure success in their schools? Perhaps not. According to a recent study by Logitech, educators and IT decisions makers still prioritize student engagement and participation.
Warning: Social Media Hurts
Is social media as dangerous as alcohol and tobacco? If so, will annoying and intrusive caution banners have any effect on kids' social media use? As California prepares to become the first state to require warning labels on social media platforms, Kevin talks with Mikey Hothy from Common Sense Media about California's groundbreaking Assembly Bill 56.
