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.

Follow / Subscribe for more practical tech integration conversations from the Integrate This! Podcast.

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.