Welcome back to the TechEd Clubhouse Podcast, where we smash the status quo of traditional teaching and bring real talk to real classrooms. In this episode, I sit down with Marlena Hebern—former teacher, co-creator of EduProtocols, and all-around EdTech disruptor.
We break down:
What an EduProtocol is (spoiler: it’s not another worksheet in disguise)
Why most “tech integration” misses the point
How lesson frames like Iron Chef, Sketch & Tell, and Number Mania build actual learning and not just point-getting
Why open-ended routines are essential for building agency, equity, and deeper thinking
How Smart Start routines set the tone for a year of student engagement
How EduProtocols support collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, and communication—without eating up your whole prep period
How to keep learning student-centered without surrendering the reins
We also touch on:
How to use EduProtocols with fidelity and flexibility
The biggest mistakes teachers make when trying to use tech
How to scaffold rigor, support ELLs, and make learning meaningful without losing your sanity
This one is full of hard truths, practical examples, and no-BS advice you can actually use tomorrow.
Sketch & Tell – Think-pair-share with purpose
Iron Chef – Fast, focused, and fun research and reteaching
Number Mania – Crowdsourced data turned into powerful visuals
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What’s one boring assignment you can swap with an EduProtocol this week? Tweet it out using #TechEdClubhouse or DM me @coachthomastech.
