
Unpacking Education & Tech Talk For Teachers
If it relates to education and matters to you, we're talking about it on our podcasts. Unpacking Education shares in-depth conversations each Wednesday on timely topics with guests who share their expertise and experience—from teaching strategies, to educational technology, to equitable access to future-driven skills for all students. Tune in every Tuesday for a new Tech Talk For Teachers. 5 minutes jam-packed with practical and actionable tech integration strategies and tool tips you can immediately apply in your classroom.
Latest episodes

Apr 18, 2023 • 10min
Student Time Management
In today's episode, we'll review four strategies that you can use to teach your students time management skills. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

Apr 12, 2023 • 51min
Supporting Students Through a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), with Dr. Katie Novak
Dr. Katie Novak, coauthor of 'In Support of Students: A Leader's Guide to Equitable MTSS,' explores the key components of a successful multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) in education. Topics discussed include collective responsibility, student supports, supporting teachers, comprehensive needs assessments, and investing in a culture of dignity and empowerment.

Apr 11, 2023 • 8min
Manage Your Digital Learning Environment
In today’s episode, we'll review three areas of your students' digital learning environment that they should become proficient in, so they can efficiently manage the learning resources in your classroom. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

Apr 5, 2023 • 49min
The Shift to Student-Led: UDL and Blended Learning, with Dr. Katie Novak
In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Katie Novak, an internationally renowned education consultant, author, adjunct professor, former teacher, and former assistant superintendent of schools. We discuss the topic of her newest book, cowritten with Dr. Catlin Tucker, The Shift to Student-Led: Reimagining Classroom Workflows with UDL and Blended Learning. This work explores the unique intersection of Universal Design for Learning and blended learning as a way to design learning that is both student-centered and student-led.Dr. Novak says, “My work is predominantly focused on deconstructing one-size-fits-all models for teaching and learning, and I do that through the lens of trying to universally design instruction.” She adds, “Universal design is essentially how we recognize barriers to one-size-fits-all and then provide pathways, so everyone has what they need to be successful.” Throughout our conversation, Dr. Novak details how these two approaches work together. She says, “Blended learning allows you to operationalize the research base as universal design because it gives us a frame for how we can provide all of these different pathways but also have opportunities to work with small groups of students—to help them self-assess, to determine if the choices they’re making are in fact serving them as learners.” Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

Apr 4, 2023 • 8min
Digital Study Spaces and Routines
In today’s episode, we'll review five tips that students and families can use to set up effective digital study spaces and routines at home. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

Mar 29, 2023 • 35min
The Future of the Educational Landscape: CTE, STEM, and CS, with Ty Stevenson
This episode was recorded live at the 2022 AVID National Conference in Orlando, with special guest, Ty Stevenson, Product Manager at AVID Center and Project Manager of the AVID/Code.org Regional Partnership. Ty helps us unpack a vision for the future of education, which includes career and technical education (CTE); science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM); and computer science (CS). We discuss the importance of exposing students to these career possibilities at a young age and helping them develop related skill sets. We also explore the value and impact of personalizing learning in your schools.Ty leaves us with lots to think about, including such reflections as, “Modeling, self-belief, seeing myself in somebody else’s experience is absolutely crucial. . . . Do our students see ourselves in these jobs that are available to them, and do they think it’s possible? Do they think they have the opportunity or even the ability? What are we doing to purposefully create those environments where they can have that vision?” Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

Mar 28, 2023 • 7min
Global Collaboration
In today’s episode, we'll explore ways to connect your students to digital pen-pals and learning partners outside of your physical classroom. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

Mar 22, 2023 • 51min
AI, ChatGPT, and Education, with Angela Maiers
“The divide between the haves and the have-nots, the skilled and the unskilled, the educated and the non-educated has not been technology,” says our guest, Angela Maiers. “The divide is literacy. Literacy represents power and privilege.” ChatGPT is one of the newest examples of disruptive technology to become mainstream, and it will require our students to develop a new set of literacy skills. This will be critical since early indications suggest that artificial intelligence (AI) and tools like ChatGPT will likely impact many aspects of daily life, including jobs, news, and education. This infusion will require not only new literacy skills but also a new understanding and new ways of approaching learning.Angela Maiers joins us on this episode to unpack this potentially confusing topic and help educators take steps toward using AI and ChatGPT in ways that benefit them, their students, and humanity. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

Mar 21, 2023 • 8min
Virtual Guest Speakers
In today’s episode, we'll explore resources to help you find virtual guest speakers to bring to your classroom. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

Mar 15, 2023 • 53min
Project-Based Learning, with A.J. Juliani
In this episode, educator, thought leader, and best-selling author A.J. Juliani joins us to talk about all thing project-based learning. He discusses the benefits of PBL, examples of PBL in practice, and practical ways to get started implementing this student-centered approach to learning in your classroom.A.J. says, “Project based learning is the type of learning we do the rest of our lives, just not necessarily in school. It’s titled PBL, but it’s just how we learn in real life. Right? We have challenges. We have questions. We have inquiry. We have all these things sustained over a period of time. That’s what PBL is, and I’m all about it.” Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.