Shake Up Learning Show

258:  Need to adapt a reading passage, create classroom materials, or help students explain their thinking? Explore 21 AI tools for teachers in this updated guide from Kasey Bell. Get a practical overview of ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Canva, Brisk, Diffit, MagicSchool, and more, with ideas for matching each tool to the work you actually need to do. You'll also learn a simple way to compare AI tools, what to check before using them with students, and why you don't need to try every new tool. Choose one teaching task, find a tool that fits, and put it to work without adding to your overwhelm.

Most teachers know AI can create lesson plans, quizzes, and parent emails—but those obvious uses barely scratch the surface. In this episode, Kasey shares unexpected ways teachers can use AI to build better classroom systems, think through difficult decisions, prepare for challenging conversations, learn new tools, and solve the small recurring problems that quietly consume time and energy. You'll also discover how the new AI Prompt Library inside ALL ACCESS helps teachers find uses for AI they may never have considered—and provides ready-to-customize prompts so you can skip the blank box and get straight to solving the problem in front of you.

256:  If you're only using Canva to make cute slides, you're leaving most of it on the table! In this episode, Kasey shares 10 powerful Canva for Education features that can save teachers time, simplify classroom workflows, and help create more engaging learning experiences. Discover how to use Bulk Create, Canva's AI Quiz Generator, Magic Activities, Magic Write, the Learn Grid, classroom Brand Kits, LMS integrations, and more. Plus, get a look at Canva's new Live Learning Sessions, which allow teachers and students to collaborate in real time. Whether you're new to Canva or use it every day, you'll find practical features you may have overlooked—and ideas you can start using in your classroom right away.

#255: Some of the study strategies your students rely on most- rereading notes, highlighting, cramming the night before- actually give them a false sense of learning. In this episode, I'm breaking down four research-based strategies from the book Powerful Teaching by Pooja Agarwal and Patrice Bain that help learning actually stick, not just look like it stuck in the moment. ⭐ Get the book: Powerful Teaching: Unleash the Science of Learning ⭐ Join the Powerful Teaching Book Study (starts September 23) In this episode: The difference between encoding, storage, and retrieval, and why familiarity can fake you out into thinking students have learned something Power Tool #1: Retrieval Practice, low-stakes ways to get students pulling information from memory instead of just rereading it Power Tool #2: Spacing, why cramming works short-term and fails long-term, and simple ways to bring old learning back Power Tool #3: Interleaving, mixing related concepts so students have to decide which strategy applies inst

#254: Google Classroom got a whole lot of updates this summer, and in episode 253 I promised I'd come back and go deeper. This is that episode. I'm walking through the redesigned homepage, how to build and assign a Gemini Notebook or a Gem right from Classwork, the new AI rubric generation, and the learning goals tracking that quietly showed up in your gradebook. Plus the honest caveats: what your admin has to turn on, and what you can't see about how your students are using AI. In this episode, you'll learn: What actually changed on the new Classroom homepage, and why yours may look different from mine How to assign a Gemini Notebook or a Gem straight from the Classwork page How to build a Study partner Gem from a unit doc you already have (this week's AI Tip) How to generate a brand new rubric from inside the assignment creation page How to track learning goals and see student performance by standard What the student Gemini tab means now that it's open to all ages, and what you can't monitor The three ques

#253: Claude for Teachers, Google Classroom, and Canva all shipped major updates this summer. In this episode, I'm walking you through what's new, why it matters, and where I'd personally start heading into back-to-school.  ⭐ Explore Claude for Teachers: https://claude.com/solutions/teachers ⭐ Try Canva's Learn Grid: canva.com/learn-grid/ ⭐ Gemini AI in Google Classroom Cheat Sheet: https://shakeuplearning.com/gemini In this episode: What is Claude for Teachers?  The ecosystem of tools connected to Claude for Teachers (Brisk, Diffit, MagicSchool, Canva, and more) Google Classroom updates you probably missed, recording tools, AI feedback, rubric conversion, the new Gemini Classroom app, and the new homepage Canva's Learn Grid: free, live now, and built for differentiation without extra work

#252: NotebookLM is one of the most underused AI tools in education, and in this session, Ashley Shanley walks you through exactly how to put it to work in your classroom. From generating AI-powered podcasts to interactive quizzes, mind maps, explainer videos, and study guides, you'll see how NotebookLM turns your existing documents into engaging learning experiences, without ever pulling from the open web. In this session, you'll learn: What NotebookLM is and how its closed-loop, source-only model protects student data How to use the Studio features: audio overviews, slide decks, explainer videos, mind maps, reports, flashcards, and quizzes How to support English Language Learners with multilingual output (50+ languages) Data privacy best practices for using AI responsibly in K-12 classrooms (FERPA, COPPA, PII) How to turn a boring PDF or slideshow into a student-ready podcast or video in minutes Remember, today's episode is available in both video and audio formats. Check the description below for a link

#251: What happens when proven instructional frameworks meet the power of AI tools? You get EduProtocols — and in this episode, Jon Corippo and Jacob Carr show you exactly what that looks like in action. This session is packed with live tool demos covering GimKit, Padlet Arcade, Curipod, Snorkl, and LearningGenie — and how to use each one to move students from passive consumers to active, engaged learners. From gamified Latin root practice to real-time debate feedback to AI-generated multi-week curriculum units, this one will reshape how you think about using AI in your classroom. ⚠️ Heads up: This episode features a lot of on-screen demos. For the full experience, watch the video on YouTube or read the recap on the blog — links below! ➡️ Full video and blog post

#250: What happens when you put creativity at the center of an AI-powered classroom? Joe and Kristen Merrill — teachers, authors, and the dynamic duo behind the InterACTIVE Class series — are here to show you. In this session, Joe and Kristen take tried-and-true classroom strategies and give them a modern twist, blending emerging AI tools with the kind of meaningful, student-driven creation that meets every learner where they are. You'll walk away with real lessons pulled directly from their own classrooms — not theory, but practice you can use tomorrow. They'll explore how to move students beyond passive consumption and into authentic creation using tools like Canva, Adobe Express, School AI, Book Creator, Snorkl, Padlet, and app smashing techniques that bring it all together.

#249: If you're spending hours building presentations, lesson materials, and classroom documents from scratch — there's a better way. In this episode, I'm walking you through Gamma, an AI-powered tool that creates beautiful, professional-looking presentations, handouts, and pages in minutes, not hours. Whether you want to generate a lesson slideshow from a single prompt, or paste in your existing Google Doc and let Gamma design it for you, this tool is one of the most practical AI tools for teachers I've come across. I cover everything: Gamma's free vs. paid plan, how to write prompts that get great results, choosing slide settings, theming and editing, adding presenter notes, and all the ways you can share your finished slides with students and parents. ⭐ Try Gamma: https://shakeuplearning.com/gamma In this episode: What Gamma is and why teachers need it Free vs. paid plan breakdown How to create AI-powered presentations from a prompt How to turn your existing content into a beautiful presentation Editing,

#248: Did you know your school Google account can now build AI agents — for free? In this episode, Kasey Bell breaks down Google Workspace Studio, Google's new no-code AI agent builder available to teachers on Google Workspace for Education Fundamentals. No coding required. No extra cost. Just smart automation powered by Gemini that runs in the background while you teach. Kasey walks you through exactly who can access Google Workspace Studio, how to get your admin to turn it on, and five real teacher workflows you can automate right now — including email triage, permission slip tracking, anonymous peer review, meeting prep briefs, and end-of-year newsletter drafts. Plus, get this week's AI Tip: how to use Gemini to write report card comments in seconds. In this episode, you'll learn: What Google Workspace Studio is and how it works Who has access (hint: it's your school account, not personal Gmail) How to build your first AI agent with no coding experience 5 AI agent ideas built specifically for teachers How

#247: Summer PD sounds great…until you waste your time on the wrong thing. In this episode, I'm sharing how to choose summer professional learning that is actually worth your time, energy, and attention. We'll talk about how to identify what you really need, what kinds of PD actually help teachers grow, and how to avoid the fluffy, forgettable stuff that won't make a difference in August. I'm also sharing practical ways to build a smarter summer learning plan, plus resources that can help you go deeper—including book studies, AI training, bonus summer episodes, and more inside the Shake Up Learning All-Access Membership. And don't miss this week's AI Tip of the Week, where I'll show you how to use AI as your personal PD coach to create a personalized learning plan based on your role, experience, and biggest pain points.

#246: After spring break and during testing season, classroom management can start to unravel. In this episode, Kasey Bell shares a practical late-spring survival plan to help teachers reset expectations, reinforce routines, support student behavior, simplify parent communication, and protect their own energy with the help of AI. You'll hear real classroom examples for elementary, middle, and high school, plus simple ways to use AI prompts for behavior intervention plans, transitions, reflection activities, parent emails, and more. If you're looking for classroom management strategies that save time and reduce stress, this episode will show you how to use AI in practical, teacher-friendly ways. Plus, Kasey highlights resources from her book, AI for Classroom Management, and the AI Prompt Cheat Sheet for Classroom Management.

#245: Feeling buried by digital chaos, classroom clutter, and routines that just aren't working anymore? In this episode, I'm walking you through a realistic "teacher spring reset"—how to clean up your digital files (without getting lost in folders), declutter your classroom in small, doable chunks, and simplify the systems that keep creating mess in the first place. Plus, AI Tip of the Week featuring Claude to help you build a spring cleaning plan you'll actually follow.

#244: Choice boards can be a total game-changer for pre-test review—or a chaotic mess. In this episode, I'm sharing exactly what makes review choice boards work, what causes them to flop, and how to structure them so they boost test prep without creating extra stress. Whether you teach elementary or secondary, I'll walk you through the five non-negotiable rules for using choice boards effectively, the most common mistakes to avoid, and three ready-to-steal board models: retrieval practice, spiral review, and test skills. You'll leave with a clear plan for how to run choice boards in Google Classroom, manage submissions without headaches, and keep your students engaged and on track. ✅ We're not doing "extra." We're doing smarter, more targeted review. ✅ You'll get real talk, practical ideas, examples

#243: Are you a Google Classroom user curious about AI but unsure where to start? In this episode, Kasey Bell breaks down the new Gemini AI tools built directly into Google Workspace for Education—no extensions or extra accounts needed! Discover how to: Access Gemini inside Google Classroom (and what your admin needs to turn on) Use powerful features like outline lesson plans, build a choice board, and the create an audio lesson tool Export AI-generated content into Google Docs, Forms, and Classroom with the Add to Class button Understand the difference between Gemini Gems and built-in tools—and how to use both effectively Plus, get your FREE Gemini AI in Google Classroom Cheat Sheet for Teachers at shakeuplearning.com/gemini, and learn about the all-new Gemini AI in Google Classroom Masterclass to take your skills even further. This episode is your teacher-friendly guide to using AI where it matters most—inside the tools you already know and love.

#242: Ready to ditch unrealistic goals and finally create habits that stick? In this powerful New Year episode of the Shake Up Learning Show, Kasey Bell unpacks one of the most transformative ideas from Atomic Habits by James Clear: why systems—not goals—lead to lasting success. You'll discover how this mindset shift can impact your personal growth, your teaching practices, and even your students' learning. Plus, get a sneak peek at the upcoming All Access Book Study on Atomic Habits—starting January 7!

#241: Want to know which teaching tools and strategies made the biggest impact this year—and how to carry that momentum into 2026? In this episode of The Shake Up Learning Show, Kasey Bell reveals the top 10 teacher resources of 2025—based on what educators downloaded, shared, and couldn't stop talking about! You'll get a behind-the-scenes look at the most-loved: AI tools for teachers Classroom management strategies Time-saving checklists Back-to-school and end-of-the-school-year resources And even some powerful low-tech ideas Whether you're wrapping up the semester or planning your 2026 classroom routines, these tried-and-true favorites will help you save time, reduce stress, and teach with confidence.

#240: Tired of spending hours building slide decks from scratch? In this episode, we're diving into four FREE AI tools that fully generate your teaching presentations—text, images, and structure included. I'll walk you through the good, the bad, and the downright ugly of using AI to create classroom or training slides, with real talk on what works for busy educators. Whether you're prepping a lesson, webinar, or PD session, find out which tools actually save you time—and which ones aren't worth it. 

#239: Discover the 8 best free Chrome extensions for teachers to streamline lesson planning, save time, and boost productivity. Perfect for busy educators looking to simplify their workflow and maximize impact in the classroom.