Happy Friday: New Music + Edpuzzle For the Win!
- Dustin Rimmey
- Sep 26
- 6 min read
I love Friday. Not because it's the end of the week, but because I can listen to all of the new music released on Thursday night and Friday morning! So, I will make sure, in addition to talking about the application of a tech tool, I'll also be sharing my favorite listen of the week! Warning: my algorithm is heavily biased towards pop-punk, emo, metalcore, and other similar genres. I love that my inaugural "New Music Friday" post covers one of my all-time favorite bands.
Eternal Youth from The Starting Line
The perfect summary of my music taste is all things from The Starting Line. I love them so much that two of their songs were in the running to be the first dance song at our wedding. They have also created one of my favorite music videos of all time:
This video has it all: a long-form reference to Say Anything, mail fraud, landscaping work, and a weird dude on roller blades! It also gives that classic sense of unrelenting hope that was central to the genre.
Tell me what you thought about when you were gone and so alone...The worst is over, you can have the best of me...We got older, but we're still young...We never grew out of this feeling that we won't give up!
This song is such a banger that the lyrical analyst on the song's genius.com page calls the song "...quite possibly the greatest pop-punk song ever written." (For me, it's a close battle with Cartel's 2005 hit "Honestly.") Their 2002 albu,m Say It Like You Mean It, and 05's Based on a True Story are two albums that are certified no-skips from me. Which is why I was super excited when their new release, Eternal Youth, was announced this summer alongside the release of the album's first single, "Sense of Humor."
This song blows my mind and makes me jealous. I wish I had aged (both physically and emotionally) as the fellas did. In comparison, here are two pictures of me from 2002 and 2025:
While not as lovely as their transformations as humans, their lyrics still ring true on an emotional level just the same. The chorus of "Sense of Humor" brings that same type of hope like "Best of Me" did 20 + years ago!
I’ll never be replaced I know it in my heart It’s got to be this strange Evident from the start Everything is absurd Best just to laugh it off Although a grain of salt May not be quite enough anymore
The one thing that has remained the same between 2002 me and 2025 me, I have not lost my sense of humor, as they beg! Which is why I'll keep being authentically weird! The whole album is a banger. I may share more thoughts elsewhere, but I figure it's time to remind myself that this is an education blog, not a "pop punk is still epic" blog.
Edpuzzle: The Personalized Learning Platform
In the same way that The Starting Line forever changed my music tastes, Edpuzzle had the same impact on my pedagogical philosophy. I remember using Edpuzzle around 2014 after it was introduced a year before, but I really fell in love with Edpuzzle in 2015, as I used it to prep my lesson and substitute plans for paternity leave before my first child was born that November.
My primary goal, as an academic interventionist, is to tailor the curriculum to meet my students' needs. As I mentioned in Monday's post, the digital curriculum platform is overwhelmingly focused on text/reading for its method of delivery. Can I tell you how hard it is for my students who struggle in math to learn from essentially reading the textbook? Or how hard it is for my students who struggle in ELA to only learn about grammar and language...from reading? Edpuzzle allows me to open another learning path in a matter of seconds.
Ironically, I forgot I made this TikTok video last year, setting up an Edpuzzle activity as quickly as Paramore's chorus of "Still into You." Side note, if you've never heard the raw audio of Hayley Williams singing the chorus, holy shmoly it's beautiful!
So, why should you personalize learning and use Edpuzzle in the process?
Why Personalize?
Personalized learning is about tailoring education to meet the individual needs of each student. It recognizes that every learner is unique, with different strengths, weaknesses, and interests. Edpuzzle enables me to create customized video lessons that resonate with my students, making learning more relevant and enjoyable.
With Edpuzzle, I can take existing videos or create my own. For instance, I recently used a science video about the water cycle and added questions about each stage of the process. This customization ensures that students are not just passive viewers; they become active participants in their learning journey.
Edpuzzle increases Engagement
One of the standout features of Edpuzzle is its user-friendly interface, making content creation a breeze. I can easily upload videos from sources like YouTube and enhance them with interactive elements. By asking questions at key moments, I can assess understanding and provide additional explanations.
The ability to add my voice to videos is a real game-changer. For example, I used a math tutorial on solving equations and added my narration to clarify specific steps. Students often respond positively to hearing my voice, which helps build a connection and creates a supportive learning environment. This also allows them to feel like I'm working with them, any place, any time!
Real-Time Feedback and Analytics
Another reason I love Edpuzzle is the real-time feedback it provides. As an interventionist, knowing how my students are progressing is crucial. Edpuzzle offers detailed analytics that track their performance. I can see which questions they struggled with or how long they spent on each video.
For instance, in offering similar videos to students working in a CR Algebra class, I noticed that my students in different periods were struggling with how to handle fractions in equations. With the Edpuzzle analytics, I was able to pinpoint the specific step in the process where they were struggling, and turn a point of pressure into a lightbulb moment. This micro-level of data allowed me to address the issue in our next session, ensuring that no student fell behind and everyone received the support they needed.
Flexibility and Accessibility
In today's educational landscape, flexibility is key. Edpuzzle allows students to learn at their own pace, which is especially helpful for those who may need more time to grasp certain concepts. For instance, students can pause and rewatch a complex math tutorial as needed, ensuring they fully understand the material before moving on.
Moreover, Edpuzzle is accessible on various devices. This means students can engage with the content from home or school. The fact that students can access Edpuzzle lessons remotely enhances their learning experience, because they can both work during their peak performance hours, and share with their adults at home what they are engaged in learning at the moment!
Collaboration and Sharing
Edpuzzle promotes collaboration among educators. I love being part of a community where I can share my lessons and learn from others. The platform allows me to discover a wealth of resources created by fellow educators, inspiring new ideas and approaches in my teaching.
Final Thoughts
Edpuzzle has revolutionized how I personalize learning as an academic interventionist. Its engaging content creation, real-time feedback, flexibility, and collaborative features make it an invaluable tool in my teaching arsenal. By harnessing Edpuzzle's capabilities, I can create meaningful learning experiences tailored to the diverse needs of my students.
As we head into the weekend, I encourage fellow educators to explore Edpuzzle and consider how it can enhance your teaching practice. With the right tools, we can empower our students to take control of their learning and thrive in their educational journeys. If you've made it to the very end, you can use this code to add 3 more videos to your storage!
Also, don't forget to check out Eternal Youth from The Starting Line, and share your thoughts with me on social media!
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