Use media and technology to boost engagement
Apply ideas from students' favorite media and tech, including short video, games, memes, and digital tools.
Expert-led professional learning
Interest List Open
Instructional design
Tech Like a Pirate: How to Create a Buzzworthy Classroom That Captures Students' Attention and Holds It
with Matt Miller
Using technology and student interests to create buzzworthy classrooms that capture attention — and hold it.
Explore this expert-led learning experience with Matt Miller and tell RocketPD you would like to hear when a future offering is announced.
About this cohort
Create technology-powered learning experiences that capture students' attention and keep it.
This learning experience is being considered for a future RocketPD offering. The core content, practical outcomes, and expert guidance are available to explore now.
Join the interest list to share your interest and receive an update if a future offering is announced.
K-12 Teachers
Create memorable lessons that capture student attention and deepen learning.
Instructional Coaches
Support teachers in using technology and student interests to improve engagement.
Technology Coaches
Help educators connect digital tools to meaningful instructional design.
Curriculum Directors and Library Media Specialists
Design engaging learning experiences across classrooms, content areas, and media-rich environments.
What you can learn
Practical outcomes to explore.
Understand new generations of learners
Better understand Gen Z, Gen Alpha, and beyond, and teach in ways that resonate.
Build a toolkit of actionable strategies
Gain practical approaches that help students see learning as relevant, fun, and worth their attention.
Design buzzworthy learning experiences
Leave with a mindset and toolkit for creating lessons students notice, discuss, and remember.
Apply ideas immediately
Translate each session into classroom-ready strategies tied to familiar platforms, games, and digital tools.
Planned Learning Experience
Explore the learning progression.
Topics and sequence may be refined before a future offering is announced.-
1
Attention Deficit - And How We Capture It (+ Social Media & Apps)
Learn what captures students' attention and why, then master practical strategies that make learning feel connected to students' favorite social platforms.
-
2
Teaching to a New Generation: Meet Gen Z, Alpha, & Beta (+ Video)
Decode critical generational traits and interests, and explore attention-worthy ideas inspired by video platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Twitch.
-
3
Tap Into Your Own Creativity: How to Source Buzzworthy Teaching Ideas (+ Games)
Source creative lessons and activities, including the use of AI, while exploring game-based learning tools and student interests.
-
4
Exploring the Link Between Interactivity & The Science of Learning (+ Images)
Explore the neuroscience of learning engagement and use memes, infographics, and images to drive learning.
-
5
Move Learning Forward & Student Attention Forward + Everything Else
Create a sustainable pipeline of engaging ideas, conduct a final brainstorm, and build your own classroom application inside the cohort.
Your Instructor
Matt Miller
Matt Miller is a former high school Spanish teacher turned national thought leader on technology, engagement, and creativity in the classroom. He is the author of the bestselling books Ditch That Textbook and Tech Like a PIRATE, and the founder of DitchThatTextbook.com — a community of over 136,000 educators.
Instructional Design
Student Engagement
AI in Education
What to expect
A practical, expert-led learning experience
Expert-led exploration of the cohort topic
Practical strategies connected to the published curriculum
Opportunities to learn alongside education peers
Updates if a future offering is announced
Future Offering
Tell us you are interested.
Share your interest in this cohort, or contact RocketPD about a potential school or district learning experience.Join the interest list
Let RocketPD know this cohort is relevant to your work and receive an update if a future offering is announced.
Join the Interest ListExploring this topic for a team?
Tell RocketPD about your school or district goals and the team can follow up about potential future learning options.
Bring This PD to Your DistrictFeatured resources
Explore ideas connected to this cohort.
Browse the Resources and Blog Posts selected by the RocketPD editorial team.Testimonials
What educators say about learning with Matt Miller.
We love using the strategies and tools that are easily accessible on Matt's website. Matt inspires teachers to truly create an engaging experience in the classroom.
Kathy Gregorich-Filkins & Rachel Hoover Instructional Coaches, Shumate Middle School, MIMatt's presentations are always engaging, informative, and inspiring! Our team always leaves with new information, relevant examples, and strategies to use the next day in our classrooms and own professional development.
Alison Schlotfeldt Coordinator of Digital Integration, South Bend Community School Corporation, INMatt presented Tech Like a Pirate to over 80 of our regional Career and Technical Education teachers. It was a highly successful day! The teachers were energized and left the training with a plethora of new tools in their educational toolbelt.
Lisa Harrison Administrator Coach for CCMR & CTE, Education Service Center Region 11, TXFAQ
Common questions, clear answers.
No future offering has been announced. Join the interest list to receive an update if that changes.
RocketPD will record your interest and may contact you when there is a relevant update.
Yes. Use the school and district inquiry option to share your goals with the RocketPD team.
Interested in a future offering?
Share your interest and RocketPD will keep you informed about relevant updates.