Is AI Safe for Students? Part 2: It Depends on the Tool

The Screen Time Debate Needs More Voices Like This: A Conversation with Dr. Michelle Eckler

The national screen time debate is loud, but is it hearing from the right people? Dr. Michelle Eckler, Director of Instructional Technology for Stratford Public Schools in Connecticut, is exactly the kind of voice that needs to be in this conversation.  In this episode, Lindy and Michelle get into what it actually looks like to use technology well in K-12 classrooms: the difference between passive consumption and creative production, why one-to-one access is really about empowering teachers, and how purposeful 10-minute tech tasks beat an hour of digital curriculum on repeat. Meet our guest: Michelle E. Eckler, Ed.D., is the Director of Instructional Technology for Stratford Public Schools, leading districtwide instructional technology initiatives. Dr. Eckler is an ISTE Certified Educator, Trainer, and Instructional Leader, as well as a GfE Certified Trainer, Innovator, and GEG Leader. Her professional contributions earned her the ISTE 20 to Watch award and recognition as a Top 10 Director of Instructional Technology 2026.  As President of the Shelton SEPTA, she is a dedicated advocate for special education. Michelle lives in Connecticut with her husband and two sons. An avid reader, she enjoys family time and her annual reading challenge Resources: E-textiles and wearable technology blog post and infographic: https://www.lindyhoc.com/post/steam-up-your-makerspace-with-e-textiles-and-wearable-technology [https://www.lindyhoc.com/post/steam-up-your-makerspace-with-e-textiles-and-wearable-technology]  Find Stratford Public School’s AI policy: https://www.stratfordk12.org/documents/board-of-education/policies/6000-instruction/24173987 [https://www.stratfordk12.org/documents/board-of-education/policies/6000-instruction/24173987]  From Forest to Shore - The Stratford Public Schools Podcast: https://www.stratfordk12.org/o/tech/page/podcast-links [https://www.stratfordk12.org/o/tech/page/podcast-links]  Connect with Michelle:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmichelleeeckler/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmichelleeeckler/] https://www.instagram.com/drmeckleredu/ [https://www.instagram.com/drmeckleredu/] https://michelleeckler.com/ [https://michelleeckler.com/]

We Can't Ban Our Way to Digital Literacy. We Have to Teach It.

The TikTok comments came in fast. "It's too late." "That's on parents, not teachers." "Banning is the only answer." Lindy gets the frustration. But she strongly disagrees with the conclusion. Because when students walk out of our buildings and into a world saturated with technology — and they will — what did we do to prepare them? If the answer is "we took the devices away," we failed them. This episode is built around the one comment buried in all that noise: "Explicit teaching has a large place in education." Yes. That. Exactly that. Lindy makes the case for explicitly teaching healthy technology use — what it looks like in classrooms, why parents can't teach what they were never taught, why going fully analog isn't enough, and why the window to get this right is shorter than it's ever been. Part of the screen time series. Start with Episode 13 — "Not All Screen Time Is Created Equal" — if you haven't yet. Episode 13 Not All Screen Time is Created Equal: https://www.lindyhoc.com/post/13-not-all-screen-time-is-created-equal [https://www.lindyhoc.com/post/13-not-all-screen-time-is-created-equal]  ScreenPal webinar: https://screenpal.com/lindy-hockenbary-webinar [https://screenpal.com/lindy-hockenbary-webinar]

Not All Screen Time Is Created Equal

A kid creating a digital book for a real audience. A kid clicking through a digital worksheet. A kid doom-scrolling at 10pm. All three involve a screen, but they are not the same thing, and treating them like they are is leading to some really bad decisions for kids and classrooms. In this episode, LindyHoc breaks down why the screen time conversation is missing the point, what we should actually be talking about, and why the answer isn't banning devices. Book Creator: bookcreator.com Snorkl: snorkl.app Short Answer: myshortanswer.com [http://myshortanswer.com] Edtech is worth fighting for (1 of 2) by Adam Sparks: https://adamsparks.substack.com/p/edtech-is-worth-fighting-for-1-of [https://adamsparks.substack.com/p/edtech-is-worth-fighting-for-1-of]

Is AI Safe for Students? Part 2: It Depends on the Tool

In Part 2 of this conversation, Lindy builds on the question every educator and parent is asking: Is AI actually safe for students? Using new research from Stanford University, she breaks down what we know so far. The big takeaway? AI isn’t inherently good or bad for learning. It all comes down to how the tool is designed and how it’s used. Lindy shares practical do’s and don’ts for both teachers and parents, including why guardrails matter, how “guide vs. give” changes learning outcomes, and what happens when students are dropped into AI without structure. She also tackles one of the biggest emerging concerns—AI companionship—and why avoiding the technology altogether isn’t the answer. Because the goal isn’t to avoid AI, it’s to raise humans who know how to use it well. Episode 9: Is AI Safe for Students Part 1 https://www.lindyhoc.com/post/9-is-ai-safe-for-students [https://www.lindyhoc.com/post/9-is-ai-safe-for-students]  Stanford AI Hub for Education — Understanding the Evidence Base for AI in K–12 Education: https://scale.stanford.edu/research-in-action/understanding-evidence-base-ai-k12-education [https://scale.stanford.edu/research-in-action/understanding-evidence-base-ai-k12-education]    Blog post and infographic: https://www.lindyhoc.com/post/6-ai-teaching-tools-that-enhance-learning-and-keep-teachers-in-control [https://www.lindyhoc.com/post/6-ai-teaching-tools-that-enhance-learning-and-keep-teachers-in-control]  SchoolAI [https://schoolai.com/] Brisk [https://www.briskteaching.com/] Get three months of Brisk premium features!  [https://www.briskteaching.com/partner?utm_source=influencer&utm_medium=external&utm_campaign=2508-B2S&influencer=lindy-hockenbary] NotebookLM [https://notebooklm.google.com/]

Jack Churchill on Why Assistive Tech Isn’t Cheating—It’s Access

In this episode, Lindy sits down with Jack Churchill—assistive technology leader, dyslexic learner, and yes, the great-grandson of Winston Churchill—to unpack one of education’s biggest misconceptions: that using support tools is somehow “cheating.” From scanning pens to AI-powered supports, they explore how accessibility tools remove barriers, not rigor. You’ll hear insights on supporting neurodivergent learners, and why access isn’t optional—it’s essential for learning Learn more about Scanning Pens at https://www.scanningpens.com/ [https://www.scanningpens.com/].  More about Jack:  Jack Churchill is Chair of the British Assistive Technology Association and Co-Founder of Scanning Pens. He established the assistive technology company Scanning Pens 20 years ago because he’s passionate about technology being a great enabler. Being dyslexic himself, Jack is determined to help young people & adults with reading difficulties reach their potential. Scanning Pens BETT Award winning C-Pen Reader is used in classrooms around the world.  In recent years Scanning Pens has won a number of prominent awards including BETT Company of the Year 2020 & the Queen's Award for Enterprise 2021 for International Trade.  Jack is a UK Trade Export Champ and was recognised with an OBE medal from HRH the Prince of Wales in 2024.