Tech it Up a Notch AU

24/08/2026

🚁 Let Learning Take Flight with Drones! ✈️✨

Ready to take coding off the screen and straight into the air?

In our latest episode of Tech It Up a Notch, Rach shares how she brought digital technologies to life using DroneBlocks and Tello drones for a cross-curricular STEM project on local river sustainability.

From managing a classroom full of practical flight zones to connecting code with science, geography, and design thinking, this episode is packed with real-world tips for experimenting with drone tech alongside your students—even when the technology gets a bit temperamental!

💡 Bonus: Don't miss Rach presenting live tomorrow (Tuesday, 25th August at 5:00 pm) on Google Meet for the GEG Sydney webinar: Bring Science Inquiry to Life with Google Workspace! 🌐🔬

🎧 Stream the full episode now on your favourite podcast platform!

16/08/2026

We hit 1K downloads and counting!!! We love sharing all our Digital Learning Tips with you all! 💕🎙️

16/08/2026

🚀 Putting the 'I' Back in AI: Smart Report Banks with Gemini & Sites

Writing reports is easily one of the biggest time commitments in a teacher's year—but what if AI could help without replacing your professional voice? 📝✨

In the latest episode of Tech It Up a Notch, Clare breaks down how she used Gemini Canvas to build a custom report comment generator powered by her own bank of previously approved comments. Instead of generating generic text from scratch, see how you can use AI to organise and streamline your existing expertise while keeping your authentic voice front and centre.

💡 Key Takeaway: AI works best as an assistant, not an author. By building tools around your own proven resources, you save precious hours while keeping your professional judgment at the heart of student reports.

🎓 Fun fact: Clare recently presented this exact workflow at the Edutech Conference in Sydney at the Google Teaching Theatre, and now she’s bringing all those insights straight to you!

🎧 Listen now on your favourite podcast platform! https://rss.com/podcasts/tech-it-up-a-notch/

19/07/2026

Fresh new episode drop! 🎧

We’re recapping our time at EduTECH 2026! After two inspiring days exploring the latest in education technology, we're sharing the tools, ideas, and standout moments that caught our attention.

Stream it now on your favourite podcast platform!

🔗 https://rss.com/podcasts/tech-it-up-a-notch/

01/06/2026

🎧 NEW EPISODE DROP! 🎧 Episode 17: Tried and Tested iPad Apps for Young Learners.

Are you looking for fresh, practical ways to use iPads in your infants classroom? In our latest episode of Tech It Up a Notch, Rachael and Clare are breaking down their absolute favourite iPad apps specifically for infants classrooms! 🎒✨

From sparking creativity to building early literacy and coding skills, these classroom-tested tools are perfect for intentional, high-engagement learning:

ABC Kids Listen 🎵 – Incredible free audio app for listening tasks, stories, and calming classroom transitions.

rED Writing ✍️ – Perfect for handwriting practice with customizable Australian fonts.

Book Creator 📚 – An easy-to-use digital publishing tool where little learners become authors.

ScratchJr 🤖 – Introduction to coding through fun, visual block coding.

Freeform 🎨 – Apple’s built-in collaborative whiteboard for brainstorming and mind mapping.

Play School Art Maker 🧸 (Honourable Mention) – Creative storytelling with some familiar faces!

Explain Everything 💡 (Teachers Choice) – The ultimate interactive whiteboard to record lessons and demonstrate thinking.

Whether you are brand new to classroom iPads or just looking for some fresh ideas to add to your toolkit, this episode will give you the confidence to dive straight in.

👉 Listen now via your favourite podcast app or head to the link here: https://rss.com/podcasts/tech-it-up-a-notch/2864682/

11/05/2026

🎧 New Episode: Is the Apple Neo the ultimate school device? 🍏🚀
Rach and Clare are back to unpack the Apple Neo! Sitting right between an iPad and a MacBook, it’s the new middle-ground for students and teachers. 💻✨

In this episode:

⚖️ The Perfect Balance: Price vs. Performance.

🛠️ Universal Access: Using Google & Microsoft tools on Apple hardware.

👩‍🏫 Apple Classroom: How to gain better visibility and control in the classroom.

🔋 The Wins & Woes: Great battery life, but what about the camera?

If you’re looking at new tech for your school or child, don’t miss these practical insights!

👉 Search "Tech It Up A Notch" on your favorite podcast app! https://rss.com/podcasts/tech-it-up-a-notch/2789631/

Drawing on feedback from an early adopter, Rach and Clare explore the new Apple Neo and how it sits between an iPad and a traditional laptop for school use. They unpack what makes it a strong classroom option, from battery life and performance to affordability and integration within the Apple and wi...

02/05/2026

Check out our latest episode of Tech It Up a Notch! 🚀

Rach and Clare are sharing how we use Code.org to make coding simple and fun without the stress. We’re drawing on our own classroom experiences to show you that anyone can do it!

What we’re diving into:
Student Favorites: Dance Party, Minecraft, and more. 💃⛏️

Unplugged & AI: Coding ideas with (and without!) screens. 🧩🤖

Confidence: Practical ways to build skills for you and your students. 🌟

Listen here: https://rss.com/podcasts/tech-it-up-a-notch/2745059/

How do you tackle coding in your room? Let us know below! 👇

Drawing on real classroom experience, Rach and Clare explore how Code.org can introduce coding in a simple, engaging way without overwhelming teachers or students. From the popular Hour of Code activities like Dance Party and Minecraft to unplugged lessons and AI-integrated tasks, this episode is pa...

21/04/2026

Tech it Up a Notch enjoyed another recording session at Bella Vista Hotel in the holidays! In between school holiday activities with our kids and Panthers games we recorded 2 episodes on Apple Neo and Apple Classroom! Coming soon!! 🍏

21/04/2026

Check out Episode 14 of Tech it Up a Notch- all on the amazing Google tool- NotebookLM! An incredible AI tool for teachers and students!

21/04/2026

🎙️ Have you heard of NotebookLM and are wanting to learn more? Check out Episode 14 of Tech it Up a Notch where we explore how NotebookLM can act as a personalised research assistant for teachers.

🎧 Listen to Rachael and Clare unpack how it can streamline planning, simplify complex syllabus navigation, and generate study materials from trusted sources. From creating quizzes and summaries to producing podcasts, mind maps, and slide decks, this episode is packed with practical ideas perfect for reducing workload at any time of year. Have a listen to Tech it Up a Notch with NotebookLM. https://rss.com/podcasts/tech-it-up-a-notch/2696403/