30 EdTech Thought Leaders, Blogs, and Podcasts Worth Following in 2026

Why following the right EdTech voices matters now

Classrooms and campuses are navigating rapid shifts: AI in everyday learning, tighter budgets, evolving privacy rules, and growing demand for evidence-based practice. A smart reading and listening list keeps you ahead of the curve—helping you make better decisions about tools, curriculum, and professional learning without falling for the hype.

How we selected these leaders and blogs

• Practical classroom or campus impact: strategies and resources that teachers, coaches, and faculty actually use.
• Evidence and transparency: citations, openly shared methods, or public data over marketing claims.
• Originality and cadence: consistent, high-quality posts, newsletters, podcasts, or videos.
• Diverse perspectives: K–12 and higher ed, critical and optimistic stances, global and equity-focused voices.
• Community trust: peer recognition, citations, and active educator engagement.

Quick-start bundles: subscribe by role

• K–12 teacher: Catlin Tucker, Alice Keeler, Eric Curts, Monica Burns, Jennifer Gonzalez
• School/district leader: Michael Horn, EdSurge, HolonIQ, Common Sense Education, K12 SIX
• Higher-ed faculty/ID: Tony Bates, Justin Reich, Bryan Alexander, Class Central (Dhawal Shah), OLC Insights
• EdTech founder/product: Ethan Mollick, HolonIQ, EdSurge, Bryan Alexander, David Wiley
• Parent/caregiver: Common Sense Education, Edutopia Technology, Jennifer Gonzalez, Vicki Davis, Sal Khan

Top 30 EdTech thought leaders & blogs to follow in 2026

Ethan Mollick — One Useful Thing

Ethan bridges research and practice with concrete ways AI can support teaching, learning, and creative work. His “one useful thing” format delivers classroom-ready prompts, assignments, and guardrails in minutes.

• Focus: Practical AI, assignment design, productivity
• Best for: Teachers, faculty, instructional designers, founders
• Notable: One Useful Thing newsletter; widely cited classroom AI frameworks
• Where to follow: Newsletter, blog, LinkedIn

Tip: Start with his posts on designing AI-robust assessments and syllabus language.

Catlin Tucker — Blended Learning

Catlin translates blended-learning research into repeatable routines that put students at the center. Expect scaffolds, protocols, and models you can plug into tomorrow’s lesson plan.

• Focus: Blended learning, station rotation, feedback
• Best for: K–12 teachers, coaches
• Notable: Books on student-centered learning; course templates
• Where to follow: Blog, YouTube, courses

Tip: Pair her station-rotation guides with quick checks for understanding to tighten feedback loops.

Alice Keeler — Google Classroom & Math

Alice shares hyper-practical Google Workspace tips, add-ons, and spreadsheets that save hours. Her posts often include ready-to-copy templates for differentiation and grading.

• Focus: Google Classroom, spreadsheets, assessment workflows
• Best for: K–12 teachers, math leads, tech coaches
• Notable: Classroom add-ons; time-saving grading hacks
• Where to follow: Blog, X, YouTube

Tip: Use her spreadsheet roster tools to automate feedback comments at scale.

Eric Curts — Control Alt Achieve

Eric’s tutorials and free templates make Google tools more creative and accessible for every subject. His how-tos are crystal clear and ready for PD sessions.

• Focus: Google for Education, templates, creativity
• Best for: Teachers, media specialists, coaches
• Notable: Massive template library; webinar archives
• Where to follow: Blog, YouTube, newsletter

Tip: Search his site for “choice boards” to kickstart self-directed projects.

Monica Burns — ClassTechTips

Monica curates quick wins—bite-size strategies and app workflows that make lessons more interactive. She emphasizes purpose-first technology and student voice.

• Focus: K–12 tech integration, content creation, literacy
• Best for: Elementary and middle school teachers
• Notable: “EdTech Essentials” book; weekly tips
• Where to follow: Blog, podcast, Instagram

Tip: Try her low-lift audio and video reflection routines to deepen metacognition.

Matt Miller — Ditch That Textbook

Matt’s energetic approach helps you “ditch” rigid lesson plans for creative, tech-enabled learning. Expect templates, challenges, and his popular virtual summits.

• Focus: Classroom creativity, templates, PD
• Best for: K–12 teachers, tech coaches
• Notable: Ditch Summit; slide and doc templates
• Where to follow: Blog, newsletter, YouTube

Tip: Use his choice-driven projects to boost autonomy without overhauling curriculum.

Jennifer Gonzalez — Cult of Pedagogy

Jennifer’s deep dives combine pedagogy, classroom management, and tech that actually supports learning. Her podcast interviews spotlight what works—and what to skip.

• Focus: Pedagogy-first tech, teacher workflow, classroom culture
• Best for: Teachers, coaches, new administrators
• Notable: Cult of Pedagogy podcast; tool roundups
• Where to follow: Blog, podcast, newsletter

Tip: Start with her “edtech that sticks” episodes to curate a lean toolset.

Vicki Davis — Cool Cat Teacher

Vicki delivers approachable classroom tech tips and short, actionable podcasts. Her focus on teacher wellbeing and realistic workflows stands out.

• Focus: Practical classroom tech, teacher wellbeing
• Best for: Busy K–12 teachers
• Notable: 10-Minute Teacher podcast
• Where to follow: Blog, podcast, newsletter

Tip: Use her quick episodes for PLC openers or micro-PD.

Justin Reich — MIT Teaching Systems Lab

Justin investigates how technology changes teaching and learning—then translates findings for practitioners. His work blends rigorous research with humane, classroom-aware guidance.

• Focus: Learning at scale, assessment, AI and equity
• Best for: Faculty, district leaders, policy-minded educators
• Notable: “Failure to Disrupt” book; TeachLab podcast
• Where to follow: MIT TSL, podcast, newsletter

Tip: Share his summaries to ground tech decisions in research during leadership meetings.

Michael Horn — Class Disrupted

Michael applies innovation theory to schools and higher ed, clarifying when and how technology truly helps. He brings a systems lens leaders can act on.

• Focus: Innovation theory, school redesign, policy
• Best for: School and system leaders, founders
• Notable: “From Reopen to Reinvent”; Class Disrupted podcast
• Where to follow: Podcast, books, Substack

Tip: Use his frameworks to prioritize initiatives and avoid tool sprawl.

Dhawal Shah — Class Central

Dhawal tracks the world of online courses with meticulous data and honest reviews. His reports surface real enrollment trends, price shifts, and learner demand.

• Focus: MOOCs, microcredentials, online learning trends
• Best for: Higher-ed leaders, IDs, lifelong learners
• Notable: Annual MOOC reports; course rankings
• Where to follow: Class Central blog, newsletter

Tip: Consult his roundups when selecting stackable credentials or partnerships.

Audrey Watters — Hack Education (Archive)

Audrey’s critical histories of EdTech help you see patterns—and pitfalls—before they repeat. Though the blog is archived, the analysis remains essential.

• Focus: Critical EdTech history, skepticism, ethics
• Best for: Leaders, researchers, journalists, critical readers
• Notable: “Teaching Machines” book; Hack Education archive
• Where to follow: Book, archive, talks

Tip: Assign a chapter or post in PD to stress-test big tech claims.

Stephen Downes — OLDaily

Stephen curates and comments on learning technology research every day. His long view on connectivism and open learning is invaluable.

• Focus: Learning theory, open education, AI
• Best for: Researchers, IDs, advanced practitioners
• Notable: OLDaily newsletter; early MOOC pioneer
• Where to follow: Newsletter, blog

Tip: Skim his daily summaries to catch research you might otherwise miss.

Bryan Alexander — Future Trends

Bryan is higher ed’s futurist-in-residence, blending signals from tech, finance, and demographics. His weekly salons surface practical implications—not just headlines.

• Focus: Higher-ed futures, scenario planning, AI
• Best for: Provosts, CIOs, faculty committees
• Notable: Future Trends Forum; “Academia Next”
• Where to follow: Blog, newsletter, YouTube

Tip: Use his scenario prompts in strategic planning workshops.

David Wiley — Open Education

David champions OER with a laser focus on learning efficacy and cost savings. He coined the 5Rs framework and shares pragmatic adoption strategies.

• Focus: OER, learning design, student success
• Best for: Faculty, affordability task forces
• Notable: 5Rs of OER; Lumen Learning resources
• Where to follow: Blog, talks, newsletter

Tip: Map his OER adoption stages to your department’s course redesign timeline.

EdSurge — News & Podcast

EdSurge reports on products, policy, research, and funding with educator-centered angles. The podcast distills complex shifts into practical takeaways.

• Focus: EdTech news, policy, AI, market shifts
• Best for: Leaders, founders, coaches
• Notable: EdSurge Podcast; special report series
• Where to follow: Site, newsletter, podcast

Tip: Set news alerts for your initiatives (e.g., tutoring, LMS) to track best fits.

Edutopia — Technology

Edutopia publishes teacher-tested strategies and case studies that keep learning outcomes first. Their tech coverage emphasizes equity, SEL, and UDL.

• Focus: Evidence-informed classroom tech, SEL, UDL
• Best for: K–12 teachers, coaches
• Notable: Classroom spotlights; how-to guides
• Where to follow: Site, newsletter, YouTube

Tip: Filter by grade band to build a targeted PD playlist.

HolonIQ — Market Intelligence

HolonIQ’s maps and reports clarify where investment and innovation are heading across the learning lifecycle. Useful context when selecting vendors or plotting strategy.

• Focus: EdTech market, investment, global trends
• Best for: Leaders, procurement, founders
• Notable: Global EdTech 100; country reports
• Where to follow: Reports, newsletter, webinars

Tip: Cross-check vendor claims against their market taxonomies for fit.

Ben Williamson — Code Acts in Education

Ben investigates datafication, platforms, and AI governance in education. His critiques help you weigh risks alongside benefits.

• Focus: Data, algorithms, policy, AI ethics
• Best for: Policy teams, researchers, critical readers
• Notable: Analyses of platformization in schools
• Where to follow: Blog, academic publications

Tip: Use his work to frame data governance questions with vendors.

Neil Selwyn — Education & Technology

Neil writes candidly about what technology can and cannot fix in education. He surfaces the social, ethical, and policy trade-offs we must confront.

• Focus: Critical EdTech, sociology of tech, policy
• Best for: Leaders, researchers, teacher-prep programs
• Notable: “Education and Technology: Key Issues and Debates”
• Where to follow: Books, articles, talks

Tip: Pair his critiques with pilot data to balance optimism with realism.

Common Sense Education — Reviews & Privacy

Common Sense offers independent app reviews, privacy ratings, and classroom-ready lesson ideas. Their frameworks help you choose safe, effective tools.

• Focus: App reviews, privacy, digital citizenship
• Best for: Teachers, librarians, district tech teams
• Notable: Privacy evaluations; lesson libraries
• Where to follow: Site, newsletter, resource hubs

Tip: Check privacy ratings before approving or piloting any new app.

K12 SIX — Security & Privacy (Doug Levin)

K12 SIX tracks cybersecurity threats and best practices specific to schools. Doug’s guidance helps reduce risk and respond effectively to incidents.

• Focus: Cybersecurity, incident response, vendor risk
• Best for: District leaders, IT, data privacy officers
• Notable: Sector threat briefs; response playbooks
• Where to follow: Site, alerts, LinkedIn

Tip: Use their checklists to vet EdTech vendors’ security posture.

Online Learning Consortium — OLC Insights

OLC’s blog features practitioners sharing what works in online and hybrid learning. Expect design patterns, quality frameworks, and candid lessons learned.

• Focus: Instructional design, quality online learning
• Best for: Higher-ed IDs, faculty, eLearning teams
• Notable: Quality frameworks; conference recaps
• Where to follow: OLC Insights blog, newsletter

Tip: Map posts to your course review rubric for quick improvements.

Tony Bates — Online Learning & Distance Education

Tony distills decades of experience into practical guidance for designing effective online courses. His open textbook remains a staple for many programs.

• Focus: Course design, online pedagogy, policy
• Best for: Faculty, program leads, policy makers
• Notable: “Teaching in a Digital Age” (open textbook)
• Where to follow: Blog, book, talks

Tip: Use his chapter summaries for faculty reading groups.

Sal Khan — Khan Academy

Sal’s work popularized mastery learning and free, high-quality content at scale. His recent focus explores responsible AI tutors that augment teachers.

• Focus: Mastery learning, AI tutoring, open content
• Best for: Teachers, parents, system leaders
• Notable: Khan Academy; AI tutor initiatives
• Where to follow: YouTube, blog, newsletter

Tip: Combine mastery tasks with frequent low-stakes checks for progress.

Mike Sharples — AI in Education

Mike connects learning sciences with emerging technologies, especially AI. His guidance emphasizes pedagogy-first adoption and policy clarity.

• Focus: AI in education, learning design, policy
• Best for: Faculty, researchers, policy teams
• Notable: Books and policy guidance on AI and learning
• Where to follow: Publications, talks, interviews

Tip: Use his frameworks to craft AI use policies that center learning goals.

Brookings — Center for Universal Education (CUE)

Brookings CUE analyzes systems change, skills, and technology with global perspective. Their reports help leaders weigh investments against outcomes.

• Focus: Global education policy, innovation, EdTech impact
• Best for: System leaders, NGOs, researchers
• Notable: Evidence syntheses; policy briefs
• Where to follow: Brookings site, reports, newsletter

Tip: Use executive summaries to brief boards and funders.

World Bank — EdTech

The World Bank shares pragmatic insights from EdTech projects in low- and middle-income countries. Lessons learned travel well to resource-constrained settings everywhere.

• Focus: ICT in education, implementation, equity at scale
• Best for: Policy makers, NGOs, district leaders
• Notable: Case studies; implementation toolkits
• Where to follow: World Bank blogs, reports

Tip: Borrow their readiness checklists to de-risk rollouts.

UNESCO — ICT in Education

UNESCO offers guidance on digital learning policy, AI ethics, and inclusion. It’s a vital counterbalance to product-led narratives.

• Focus: Policy, inclusion, AI ethics, open education
• Best for: System leaders, researchers, advocates
• Notable: Global guidance and frameworks
• Where to follow: UNESCO site, reports

Tip: Align district policies with UNESCO principles on safety and equity.

The Learning Scientists

Ground your EdTech choices in cognitive science. The Learning Scientists translate robust findings like retrieval practice and dual coding into classroom routines.

• Focus: Cognitive science, study strategies, teacher PD
• Best for: Teachers, IDs, students
• Notable: Blog, podcast, classroom posters
• Where to follow: Site, podcast, resources

Tip: Pair new tools with retrieval practice to boost durable learning.

Martin Weller — The Ed Techie

Martin blends history and current trends to explain why certain technologies stick. His reflections help educators avoid reinventing the wheel.

• Focus: EdTech history, open education, trends
• Best for: Faculty, researchers, strategists
• Notable: “25 Years of Ed Tech”
• Where to follow: Blog, books, talks

Tip: Use his historical lens to calibrate expectations for new tools.

Mark Anderson — ICTEvangelist

Mark’s classroom-ready ideas and curated app lists keep the focus on learning, not features. Expect practical workflows and PD slides you can adapt.

• Focus: K–12 apps, creativity, PD toolkits
• Best for: Teachers, tech coaches
• Notable: App guides; classroom workflow posts
• Where to follow: Blog, X, resources

Tip: Use his curated lists to create grade-band tool menus.

Casey Fiesler — Tech Ethics & Policy

Casey demystifies platform governance, algorithms, and online communities for educators and families. Her videos and explainers make policy practical.

• Focus: Tech ethics, content moderation, digital citizenship
• Best for: Teachers, parents, policy teams
• Notable: Accessible YouTube explainers; syllabi
• Where to follow: YouTube, Substack, X

Tip: Integrate her case studies into media literacy lessons.

Jennifer Mathes et al. — OLC Community Voices

OLC leaders and contributors surface field-tested online learning practices. You’ll find design rubrics and QA approaches that scale.

• Focus: Quality assurance, faculty development, accessibility
• Best for: IDs, faculty, center for teaching teams
• Notable: Practitioner spotlights; design patterns
• Where to follow: OLC Insights, webinars

Tip: Tag posts by topic to build a self-paced faculty PD track.

Punya Mishra — TPACK & Design

Punya connects creativity, design, and the TPACK framework to everyday teaching. His work helps educators integrate tech purposefully.

• Focus: TPACK, creativity, teacher knowledge
• Best for: Teacher educators, coaches
• Notable: TPACK scholarship; design thinking posts
• Where to follow: Blog, publications

Tip: Use TPACK mapping before choosing any new tool.

Eric Mazur — Peer Instruction & EdTech

Eric pioneered peer instruction and continues to explore tech that deepens conceptual understanding. His talks blend pedagogy with actionable tools.

• Focus: Active learning, polling, analytics
• Best for: Higher-ed STEM faculty, IDs
• Notable: Peer Instruction model; teaching innovations
• Where to follow: Talks, publications

Tip: Pair polling tools with structured peer discussion prompts.

Phil Hill — On EdTech

Phil analyzes the higher-ed technology market—LMS ecosystems, online program trends, and vendor moves—with clarity and data.

• Focus: LMS, online programs, market analysis
• Best for: CIOs, deans, procurement
• Notable: On EdTech blog; sector reports
• Where to follow: Blog, newsletter

Tip: Use his comparisons during platform RFPs to avoid surprises.

Rafranz Davis — Equity & Student Voice

Rafranz advocates for inclusive, culturally responsive technology use and amplifies student voice. Her lens keeps equity at the center of innovation.

• Focus: Equity in EdTech, student voice, access
• Best for: Teachers, leaders, DEI teams
• Notable: Talks, district leadership work
• Where to follow: X, talks, articles

Tip: Establish a student tech advisory team using her guidelines.

Anya Kamenetz — Kids, Screens, and Learning

Anya writes thoughtfully about children, media, and learning—balancing opportunity with wellbeing. Her reporting helps families and schools navigate screen time sanely.

• Focus: Children and media, learning, family-tech policy
• Best for: Parents, teachers, counselors
• Notable: Books and columns on kids and technology
• Where to follow: Newsletter, columns, books

Tip: Adapt her family-tech contracts for school-home agreements.

TeachLab & Partners — Practice-Focused Podcasts

TeachLab and allied shows bring researchers and educators together to problem-solve real instructional challenges—including how and when to use technology.

• Focus: Practice-informed research, PD, AI in classrooms
• Best for: Teachers, PD leaders
• Notable: Classroom case studies; miniseries on timely topics
• Where to follow: Podcast apps, show sites

Tip: Use episodes as PLC anchors with discussion protocols.

Build a balanced EdTech feed in 15 minutes

• Pick 3 practice-first blogs for classroom ideas (e.g., Catlin Tucker, Eric Curts, Monica Burns).
• Add 2 critical or policy voices to avoid hype (e.g., Neil Selwyn, Ben Williamson).
• Choose 2 market/news sources for landscape awareness (e.g., EdSurge, HolonIQ).
• Subscribe to 1 AI-in-education newsletter (e.g., Ethan Mollick) and 1 OER/affordability voice (e.g., David Wiley).
• Round out with 1 privacy/security source (e.g., Common Sense Education or K12 SIX).

How to evaluate EdTech claims (fast checklist)

• Evidence: Are there citations, public data, or classroom pilots—beyond testimonials?
• Pedagogy first: Does the recommendation fit a clear learning goal and assessment plan?
• Privacy & safety: Is student data minimized, encrypted, and governed by clear policies?
• Accessibility: Does it support UDL, captions, keyboard navigation, and language access?
• Equity: Does it work on low bandwidth or shared devices? Are materials culturally responsive?
• Feasibility: Can teachers adopt it within existing time and PD constraints?