Unpacking Education & Tech Talk For Teachers

In this episode of Tech Talk for Teachers, we'll explore five tips for designing an effective digital learning space for you, your students, and their families. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

 Micro:bit is a simple, yet robust, mini-computer that contains 25 LED lights, buttons, sensors, sounds, and the ability to connect with input and output devices. Students code the device on another computer using block coding, and they can use their imaginations to program countless products with this simple interface. Even if students don’t have access to the physical micro:bits, they can code a simulated unit online. This feature provides equitable access to schools who might not be able to afford the physical product.In this episode, we are joined by Giles Booth, the Education Content Manager for Micro:bit Educational Foundation. Giles shares his insights and passions for using Micro:bit and coding in the classroom and how it can empower students and allow them to develop powerful and transferable skills through the process of coding. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

In this episode of Tech Talk for Teachers, we explore three strategies and four tools for establishing a classroom community. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

 At AVID Open Access, we are working hard to save teachers time by continuing to create and post free, open educational resources. This content can be used directly in classrooms, and it can also be used to learn about cutting edge topics and practices in education. In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Michelle Magallanez to highlight the key resources you will find at AVID Open Access. We also point out ways you can use these free resources. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

In this episode, we explore three tools and three strategies for establishing an effective classroom communication system. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

In this episode, we explore digital classroom timers and ways to use them in your classroom. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

The world needs problem solvers, and providing students with intentional opportunities to engineer solutions to authentic problems in our classrooms is a powerful way to develop these skills in our learners. In many cases, young students are already naturally creative problem solvers. They engineer the world around them every day. If we can foster and encourage this practice in them at a young age, they will not only be more apt to continue being confident in solving problems, they will also develop many transferable skills and be exposed to many potential careers.   Christine Cunningham, a Professor of Education and Engineering at The Pennsylvania State University, has launched Youth Engineering Solutions (YES) to develop curricula to help the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers become excited about learning. She joins us on this podcast episode to unpack the topic of integrating engineering into K-12 classrooms. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

When integrating technology successfully into your classroom, it’s important to identify your “why” first. Begin with an educational need or purpose that technology can help you achieve. What standards are you targeting? What goals do you want to achieve? Then ask yourself, are there technology tools that can better help me and my students achieve those goals? If the answer is yes, ask what instructional practices you can effectively pair with that device or program to maximize learning. This learning first and tools second approach will increase the odds of academic success in your classroom. Listen to this episode to hear the perspective of Dr. David Wicks as he shares what he is seeing at the university level when working with pre-service teachers as well as education veterans. Our conversation ranges from integration best practices to technology trends. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

Through new technology and a growing body of research, our collective understanding and knowledge base around neuroscience and the brain has exploded in the past 25 years. Researchers continue to have a better grasp on how educators can create conditions and experiences that improve student learning. Understanding and applying this knowledge is key to strengthening teaching and learning practices in our schools. In this episode, we are joined by Conn McQuinn, a career educator and expert in the area of neuroscience. Together, we explore research and insights around learning and the brain, and we look at how that knowledge can inform education academically, socially, and emotionally. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

This episode is all about perspective. It’s about recognizing different perspectives, and it’s also about gaining new perspectives through our own experiences or the experiences of others. No matter how we achieve it, a broader perspective is valuable and can bring better understanding and empathy to the conversations we have with colleagues and community members. In this episode, we hear from Ena Rassmussen, a teacher who has gained multiple perspectives by holding both classroom and district-level positions in her district. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.