Unpacking Education & Tech Talk For Teachers

In this episode, we are joined by veteran science teacher Mark Peterson. Mark is committed to living a life in beta, always seeking to improve his craft as an educator. In our conversation today, we explore the crossroads of assessment, student choice, and grading. We ask the hard questions, look for solutions, and reflect on Mark’s experiences as a science teacher striving to empower his students and make learning meaningful. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

Our students come to us from so many different places. They have different backgrounds, different lived experiences, different interests, and different talents. To provide personal meaning for each learner in such a diverse group, we need to provide our students with a wide variety of possibilities and experiences, so they can each find their own passion and path forward. Each one of them deserves to discover what a “life full of possibilities” means for them. In this podcast episode, we explore this idea of possibility and how we can open up the world for our students, with AVID’s new CEO, Thuan Nguyen. We discuss keys to unlocking possibility, including the fundamental need for strong relationships, mentors, and breadcrumbs to possibility, as well as the role of teachers in this process. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

The sudden exposure to distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic has simultaneously increased people’s awareness of online learning, given them some insights into what it is like to learn online, and led to misconceptions about what an intentional and well-planned online learning program can look like. In this episode, we are joined by Jeff Plaman—the Online and Digital Learning Specialist for the Minnesota Department of Education—and we dive into this topic of online learning. We explore the current status of online learning programs, discuss some misconceptions, and consider the potential benefits of a well-constructed online program. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

One of the ways to increase student ownership in learning is to provide students with meaningful and authentic “voice and choice.” But what does this really mean? How do we implement it in our lessons, and what does it look like in practice? In this episode, we dig into these questions, and we'll also focus on what it means to provide “authentic” options for our students. When done well, we can use this approach to create learning experiences where students feel empowered, connected, and motivated. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

The world is changing at an accelerating rate. What once was science fiction—cell phones, videoconferencing, the Internet—is now reality. To prepare our students for a rapidly evolving world, we must continually question and rethink what education looks like. What structures do we have in place? What opportunities do we provide? How are we empowering students in the learning process? These questions and more will help us make our schools the best they can be and empower our students with the skills needed to invent the jobs of the future. In this episode, we look into these questions and others about the future of education. While we don’t have all the answers, we begin to ask important questions and define core components that can lead to an effective classroom of the future. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

While many in education are struggling with the challenges of teaching during a pandemic, they may be met with toxic positivity that feels out of place in the midst of these struggles. While dismissing negative emotions may not be intentional or ill-intended, it can add new levels of emotional burden to an already difficult situation. In this episode, the team explores the concept of toxic positivity and what might be done to address it. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

As COVID surges move through communities or schools face storms and shutdowns, districts are often forced to consider unexpected or sudden changes in their educational delivery model. They might need to switch to fully remote or hybrid options. This uncertainty adds additional stress to the already difficult job of teaching. In this week's episode, we explore ways to mitigate these types of disruptions and reduce the workload for teachers. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

When something matters to us and we care deeply about it, we put our all into it. This is certainly true for teaching and working in schools. Despite increased demands, daily stresses, and limited resources, educators continue to pour all of their energy and talent into the profession for the sake of their students and communities. This work matters, and it is also hard. Tune in to this week's episode as the team discusses the current state of education as well as ways to mitigate the challenges faced by those working in the field. While the struggles are real, there are strategies and approaches that can both relieve some of the daily stresses and help us feel more connected in our work with students. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

 Nobody knows exactly what education will look like in the future. However, we can continue to grow and improve based on our past experiences. Two school years of pandemic learning have forced schools to do things differently and try new things, and teachers have grown in many ways. In this podcast episode, we talk about what these past two years mean for education and ask several thought-provoking questions: Has anything about education fundamentally changed because of these past two years? Do we have a new definition of normal in our schools? Now that most classrooms are able to be back face-to-face, how do we continue to move forward and leverage what we've learned, rather than simply turning back the clock two years and returning to what was comfortable? Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

 Happy 2022! In this episode, we reflect on the past year and discuss our resolutions, as we look at our teaching practice and our relationships with students, their families, and our colleagues in the coming year. We reached out on social media for your input. Join us as we share your goals, reflections, and wishes for the new year. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.