How Mega Minds Brings Real-World CTE to Classrooms ft. Eric Tao & Austin Levinson | My EdTech Life 349

How Mega Minds Brings Real-World CTE to Classrooms ft. Eric Tao & Austin Levinson | My EdTech Life 349 In Episode 349 of My EdTech Life, Dr. Alfonso “Fonz” Mendoza sits down with Eric Tao, Founder & CEO of Mega Minds, and Austin Levinson, veteran educator and learning designer, to unpack how immersive AI-powered simulations are reshaping Career and Technical Education (CTE). This conversation goes beyond AI hype. Eric and Austin explain why most AI tools in education focus on productivity instead of learning and how immersive environments can restore student engagement, agency, and real-world skill development. We explore how Mega Minds uses AI characters, simulations, and 3D environments to help students practice CTE skills safely before entering real workplaces. From healthcare triage simulations to job interviews, retail scenarios, and construction environments, students are learning through experience, not worksheets. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introductions 02:30 Exploring MegaMinds: An Overview 04:49 The Role of Engagement in Education 07:03 The Future of EdTech and AI in Learning 10:39 Data-Driven Insights for Teachers 13:45 The Importance of Student Agency 18:10 Creating Safe Spaces for Learning 20:38 Real-World Applications of MegaMinds 27:46 CTE Lessons and Immersive Experiences 33:05 Experiential Learning in Healthcare Education 38:32 The Role of AI in Education 42:39 Understanding AI Bias Through Immersive Learning 48:38 AI Literacy and Its Importance in Education 53:43 Final Thoughts and Future Directions Mega Minds Resources Mentioned in Episode MegaMinds Website Free AI Literacy Pilot Info Sponsors Shoutout Thank you to our sponsors: Book Creator, Eduaide.AI, and Peel Back Education for supporting My EdTech Life. Peel Back Education exists to uncover, share, and amplify powerful, authentic stories from inside classrooms and beyond, helping educators, learners, and the wider community connect meaningfully with the people and ideas shaping education today. Authentic engagement, inclusion, and learning across the curriculum for ALL your students. Teachers love Book Creator. Support the show