In this episode of Integrate This!, we welcome EdTech pioneer and Ctrl Alt Achieve creator Eric Curts for a lively conversation about technology, AI, and empowering educators. Eric shares stories from his 30+ years in education, the inspiration behind his blog, and how AI tools can act as teaching assistants—not replacements.

You’ll hear:

• Creative ways to use Google tools beyond their traditional roles
• Eric’s philosophy on AI, student struggle, and lifelong learning
• Guidance for teachers navigating tech fatigue and staying current
• How NotebookLM helps analyze AI guidance docs
• Why Gemini is Eric’s go-to AI tool for schools
• His top tips for using AI ethically and effectively in education

Eric also spotlights upcoming events and invites educators to connect at ISTE—including his now-legendary board game meetup!

📍 Visit: ctrlaltachieve.com 📬 Join his newsletter: ctrlaltachieve.com/p/newsletter.html

This episode features our full presentation from the A.I.D.E. Symposium on building AI literacy in education. Learn how educators can responsibly integrate AI, develop essential skills, and use practical frameworks to lead with confidence in the AI era.

If you want to catch up on all of the recordings from our great speakers and access the resources click here: 2025 Artificial Intelligence in Education Symposium on-demand - SWWC Service Cooperative

The Full Symposium Lineup:

Tomorrow Glasses: Matt Miller Discover what AI literacy means and why it matters for both today’s classrooms and tomorrow’s world. This session explores foundational concepts, ethical considerations, and practical ways to embed GenAI across grade levels.

AI Guidance Panel: Rising to the Challenge of AI Join a panel of leaders as they share practical strategies, challenges, and solutions around AI adoption, tool evaluation, staff training, and student integration. This conversation offers real-world insights from schools leading the way.

Deceiving by Design: Fake Emotions, Real Consequences Explore how AI creates the illusion of emotion, growth, and self-awareness. This session reveals how these convincing simulations work, the risks of emotional attachment, and maintaining healthy boundaries with increasingly human-like AI.

AI Literacy with the Integrate This! Podcast Join the Integrate This! podcast for a lively discussion on why AI literacy is a foundational skill for today’s educators and students. Learn how building GenAI capacity can empower schools to navigate the future with confidence.

Privacy-First AI: Vetting Tools to Protect Students As AI becomes more embedded in education, concerns about student data privacy are rising. This session unpacks how AI tools use student data, the risks involved, and the legal and ethical responsibilities schools must consider.

AI Tools Built for Schools Get a quick, practical look at three AI tools you can start using today: Diffit, Magic School AI, and School AI. This fast-paced session will highlight key features, classroom applications, and time-saving tips for immediate impact.

Check out the video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/sPUQeOWE5Jk

Sketchnote artist Manuel Herrera joins us for an inspiring conversation on creativity, visual thinking, and the power of sketchnoting in education. Perfect for teachers, students, and creative minds, this episode blends artistic tips with classroom-ready strategies.

In this episode, we cover:

• Manuel’s journey as an educator and illustrator
• Practical tips for introducing sketchnoting to your students
• Live sketch note demonstrations and techniques
• His creative influences—and love for making tacos 🌮

Whether you're a visual learner, teacher, or just curious about the sketchnote movement, you’ll walk away with ideas to bring creativity into your classroom.

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/GHoUJU6WLSg?feature=shared

🎨 Explore more of Manuel’s work at manueldraws.com