Unpacking Education & Tech Talk For Teachers

Explore the ABCs of credibility and the four points of examining BIAS as strategies you can use to help your students evaluate the credibility of online content. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

Learn strategies and tips for successful online research. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

Learn the importance of preliminary research in the research process and discover key steps your students can use in your classroom. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

In this episode of Tech Talk for Teachers, we'll help you discover online libraries filled with quality eBooks, audiobooks, and video that you can use to give your students practice reading in digital formats. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

 We live in an innovation economy driven by and dependent on computing and technology. Dr. Fletcher points out: “We’re failing students if we don’t give them the opportunity to learn these skills.” It’s not that all students will become computer scientists. However, an understanding and competency in computer science will narrow the gap between those who become opportunity haves and have-nots. Stu...

In this episode of Tech Talk for Teachers, you'll discover six online polling and survey tools as well as five strategies for integrating these tools into your classroom. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

In this episode of Tech Talk for Teachers, we'll explore five types of online reference materials and look at how we can increase the odds that our students will actually know about then, find them, and use them. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

 The world of cyber security can sometimes feel intimidating and confusing. We hear about computer viruses, hackers, phishing scams, COPPA, and other tech-related issues. We know it’s important, but we may not always know what we should be doing to protect ourselves and those around us. In today’s episode, we are joined by Ryan Cloutier, a cyber security expert who is able to explain this topic in...

In this episode of Tech Talk for Teachers, we'll explore three tools and three strategies for using digital number, letter, and name pickers. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

We each face our own unique challenges, and we all have stories that define who we are. We each also possess individual power that we can use to face those daily challenges and shape our futures. To help us unpack this topic, we are joined by Jasmine Brett Stringer, an uplifting keynote speaker and award-winning author of “Seize Your Life: How to Carpe Diem Every Day.” She helps us explore the ide...

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...

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 p...

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...

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 instru...

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...

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...

No matter the class or group of students in front of her, Amanda wants them to know her number one theme: “You belong here.” She believes that everyone should get a wonderful physical education experience. She also wants students to believe that they can pursue their dreams and be anything they want to be. She does not want her students defined by stereotypes or the way things have always been don...

Scratch is the largest children’s coding platform and online community in the world. This free block-based coding program was created by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and has become very popular in schools for introducing students to coding as well as for developing creativity, collaboration, and creative problem-solving. Scratch’s philosophy revolves around the 4 Ps—projects, pa...

“Can you think of a better way to be a world-changer than to be working with students?” asks Carla Smith, the Teacher Academy Teacher-Coordinator for the Renton School District in Washington. She poses this question to both challenge and inspire her students to consider a career in education through a program called “Grow Your Own.” The goal of the program is to provide students with opportunities...

“Try to remember that this is the best job in the world. And no matter how down you feel, somebody in your classroom came to school today because you’re there.” These words from our guest, Dr. Teddi Beam-Conroy—Director of the Elementary Teacher Education Program at the University of Washington—hit on the essence of being a teacher. They reflect the difference we can make and the importance of sho...

Nearly everywhere, schools are facing staffing shortages, leaving them with open positions for teachers, support staff, custodial work, nursing, and more. These shortages have led to more work for everyone in the system. In this episode, we are joined by Anne Beitlers, Director of the Secondary Teacher Education Program at the University of Washington. Together, we discuss this ongoing challenge....