Carl Hooker

Carl Hooker

@hookertech.bsky.social

Risk-Taker | Educator | #GirlDad | Podcast host X 5 | Author X 8 | Bar Owner | Former DJ | Instigator4Life | https://mrhook.it/speak

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Carl Hooker
@hookertech.bsky.social

What’s new in Learning Evolution (2nd Edition)? ✅ Updated frameworks for AI ethics and classroom integration ✅ Reflection prompts for teachers and leaders ✅ Brand new case studies from innovative schools ✅ A deeper look at what it means to stay human in an AI world 🔗 mrhook.it/ai

Carl Hooker
@hookertech.bsky.social

Maybe schools don’t have a technology problem. Maybe they have a support problem. We put devices in every kid’s hands. Now we’re adding AI. At the same time, we’ve cut librarians, instructional technology coaches, and professional learning. Then we’re surprised when districts start banning the…

hookedoninnovation.comMaybe the Problem Isn’t Too Much TechnologyLast week, I posted this blog about the Current State of AI. In it, I explored how some schools have started to push back on the integration of the tool for various reasons. In writing that piece, I reflected on the hundreds of schools I've been able to work with on integration, including two of the largest school systems in the country: New York City Department of Education and Los Angeles Unified School District. The purpose of both of those visits was to talk with a small percentage of staff about AI literacy and discuss strategies for thoughtful integration of these tools.
Carl Hooker
@hookertech.bsky.social

The Current State of AI in K-12 Schools Generative AI has been in wide spread use in schools for the past 3 years. But what is the current state of its usage? https://mrhook.it/current

hookedoninnovation.comThe Current State of AI in K-12 SchoolsFor the past three years I've been traveling all over the country to talk to educators, students, and leaders about the implementation of AI in schools. The responses have ranged from enthusiastic to completely opposed. One school I presented at had community members outside actively protesting the implementation of data centers in their community and, in turn, the use of AI. I've seen a teachers' union question administrators' use of AI when writing evaluations. All this to say, the implementation of these tools has been bumpy at best. Over the course of my keynotes, consulting and professional learning, I always ask the audience or group for feedback on some various aspects of AI.
Carl Hooker
@hookertech.bsky.social

Designing the WORST School Possible What would happen if you asked teachers to design the WORST school possible? The answers might surprise you... https://hookedoninnovation.com/2026/07/29/designing-the-worst-school-possible/

hookedoninnovation.comDesigning the WORST School PossibleI know it's been a minute, but I've been working on some exciting new projects (more on those in the next few weeks), so I haven't had a chance to blog and share as much as usual. On top of those "top-secret" projects, I've been traveling around the country this summer, meeting with schools and conferences to talk about the shift from "AI-enhanced learning" towards "human-centered design" (hint: one of my new projects centers around this). In the last 17 days I've been to New York, Alabama, Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, and tomorrow I'll be in New Jersey speaking to superintendents around the state.
Carl Hooker
@hookertech.bsky.social

In the movie Footloose, the community tried to ban the kids from dancing. I feel like screen time is having it's "Footloose moment" right now in schools. But should we be banning or teaching balance? Check out my recent post for more:

hookedoninnovation.comScreen Time is Having Its Footloose MomentI was on a recent podcast with a couple of fellow educators discussing the latest Los Angeles Unifed School District move to ban all screens from K-1 students and severely limit it for 2nd through 5th graders. As we unpacked how we got here, I couldn't shake one thought: We've seen this movie before. Literally. Here's a hint - It's a1984 Kevin Bacon classic with the groovy Kenny Loggins soundtrack. For those of you who haven't seen the original movie Footloose (SPOILER ALERT), it centers around some teens in a conservative farm community where dancing is banned.
Carl Hooker
@hookertech.bsky.social

Time Travel to AI University Neural Band journal entry: August 2058: My grandkids are gearing up for their first year of college at AIT (The Algorithmic Institute of Technology) and something just feels...different. I think back 50 years ago when I graduated from college. It was the late 90s, and…

hookedoninnovation.comTime Travel to AI UniversityNeural Band journal entry: August 2058: My grandkids are gearing up for their first year of college at AIT (The Algorithmic Institute of Technology) and something just feels...different. I think back 50 years ago when I graduated from college. It was the late 90s, and life was different, to say the least. No neural headbands. I drove my own car. Heck, we only had 50 states back then. I went to parties (too many if I'm being honest) and ran into the person that would later be my wife of 55 years.
Carl Hooker
@hookertech.bsky.social

Just had a teacher friend send me a message. She told me TEA is now investigating what teachers post on their social media accounts. That part isn’t new, that’s been the practice of many hiring school districts too. Teachers are held to a higher standard despite the low pay 1/3

Carl Hooker
@hookertech.bsky.social

However, what is new is they are coming after people that specifically protest or mention things they don’t agree with. (I.e. protest ICE or mention Charlie Kirk). It’s ok if you call Pretti or Good domestic terrorists though…. 2/3

Carl Hooker reposted

futureready.org
@futureready.org

The UnDisrupted Podcast Returns! 🎙️ New season. Bigger conversations. Same UnDisrupted energy. 🔥 @askadam3.bsky.social and @hookertech.bsky.social are back, diving into AI, cybersecurity, digital equity, and more! Subscribe now and stay UnDisrupted! ⏯️ https://futureready.link/undisrupted

futureready.linkUnDisrupted | All4EdDr. Adam Phyall and Carl Hooker bring you, UnDisrupted, a Future Ready Schools podcast for school and district technology leaders.
Carl Hooker
@hookertech.bsky.social

Bold Predictions for Edtech in 2026 The longest running prediction blog for Edtech continues! (Never mind that it might also be the ONLY prediction blog for Edtech...) Each year since 2012, I've put together a list of things I predict will happen in the coming year. The majority of these…

hookedoninnovation.comBold Predictions for Edtech in 2026The longest running prediction blog for Edtech continues! (Never mind that it might also be the ONLY prediction blog for Edtech...) Each year since 2012, I've put together a list of things I predict will happen in the coming year. The majority of these predictions revolve around the field of educational technology (aka "Edtech") but I sometimes throw in a couple of fun zingers too just to keep people on their toes. Here's a look back at the past few years if you want to take a gander at some near-misses and complete misses.
Carl Hooker
@hookertech.bsky.social

My Upcoming Sessions at FETC: 1/13 - Monday 10:30AM - ZENgaged 1:00PM - Future Ready AI Leadership Bootcamp 1/14 - Tuesday 9:30AM - What Does it Mean to Be Innovative? 11:00AM - Meet the Author Experience 1:00PM - Teaching Creativity and Durable Skills in an AI World . 2:00PM - Podcast Smackdown

Carl Hooker
@hookertech.bsky.social

2025 Bold Predictions REVIEW After a dozen years of doing these bold predictions, one thing is always true...I'm wrong a lot. However, i will say you miss 100 percent of the shots you don't take so I'll continue to dredge forward in the years to come. (I'm already working on my 2026 list). A…

hookedoninnovation.com2025 Bold Predictions REVIEWAfter a dozen years of doing these bold predictions, one thing is always true...I'm wrong a lot. However, i will say you miss 100 percent of the shots you don't take so I'll continue to dredge forward in the years to come. (I'm already working on my 2026 list). A couple of things I couldn't have predicted this year were the complete dismantling of the Department of Education (though I probably should have predicted this) or the rapid rise of the phrase "6-7" amongst all generation alpha kids. But let's face it, neither of those are BOLD predictions.
Carl Hooker
@hookertech.bsky.social

Why AI Won’t Replace Humans…It’s a Piece of Cake! There's been a lot of chatter online recently about whether or not AI will replace humans or create more jobs. In education circles, I often hear concerns about students using AI to cheat and skip ahead, essentially by-passing the learning process…

hookedoninnovation.comWhy AI Won’t Replace Humans…It’s a Piece of Cake!There's been a lot of chatter online recently about whether or not AI will replace humans or create more jobs. In education circles, I often hear concerns about students using AI to cheat and skip ahead, essentially by-passing the learning process to get to their final product. These are both valid concerns and in some areas, well justified. However, I don't think AI will replace as many jobs as we think, nor will it create as many as we think. I also don't believe it will reach true superintelligence…
Carl Hooker
@hookertech.bsky.social

I’m thrilled to announce the 2nd Edition of my book Learning Evolution! This updated edition comes with over 50 pages of new content including: -A new framework for AI integration -More interactive activities -An AI scope and sequence -Updated classroom strategies Order here: https://mrhook.

Carl Hooker
@hookertech.bsky.social

As part of a research project my daughter is doing, she’s investigating the amount of Starbucks in each state and came across Idaho then freaked out for some reason. Yes, she’s in middle school.

Carl Hooker
@hookertech.bsky.social

Just now taking a moment to Reflect on another amazing ACTEM. Got to see good friend AJ Juliani’s keynote and sign books with my editor Jacqueline Gardy. Even had someone buy all three of my latest books! Love my time with Maine educators!

Carl Hooker
@hookertech.bsky.social

Excerpt from my latest book - "That's why teaching students to recognize, reduce, and resist the urge to switch tasks is a vital part of building focus stamina in a digitally distracted world. The goal isn't perfection, it's awareness and intentionality." - ZENgaged - https://mrhook.it/zen

Carl Hooker
@hookertech.bsky.social

It’s official! ZENgaged has landed. This one’s for every teacher who’s ever battled buzzing phones, wandering attention, and digital overwhelm. Inside: ✔️ Strategies to boost focus ✔️ Reflection prompts ✔️ Stories that resonate ✔️ Practical classroom activities. Order