Unpacking Education & Tech Talk For Teachers

Latest Episodes:

TeacherServer Sep 30, 2025

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In today’s episode, we'll explore the features and functionality of TeacherServer, an AI tool designed to support teachers. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

Amplifying Your Impact with Everyday AI, with Tyler Moberg Sep 24, 2025

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In this episode, we’re joined by Tyler Moberg, an AI learning and training specialist and founder of Amplified Impact. Drawing on his rich experience as a classroom teacher, instructional coach, and professional learning designer, Tyler shares how educators can embrace AI as a powerful tool to streamline planning, boost creativity, and achieve meaningful results without losing the human touch. Tyler includes both mindset shifts and practical strategies in his guidance on how to invite AI to the table, not as a replacement, but as a collaborator. This conversation will help you rethink what’s possible when educators use everyday AI to amplify their impact. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

Suno, An AI-Powered Music Tool Sep 23, 2025

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Suno, An AI-Powered Music Tool

In today’s episode, we'll explore Suno, an AI-powered tool that allows users to create songs through text and audio prompts. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

A Career in the Sciences, with Dr. Ray Wheeler Sep 17, 2025

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What does it take to pursue a lifelong career in science, and what unexpected paths might lead there? In this episode, Dr. Ray Wheeler reflects on his 36-year career as a senior scientist and plant physiologist at NASA, where he helped pioneer research in growing plants for space travel. From Boy Scouts to botany to breakthrough innovations at the Kennedy Space Center, Dr. Wheeler shares how curiosity, collaboration, and perseverance guided his journey.

Listeners will gain insights into the scientific process, the value of interdisciplinary teamwork, and the vital role of education and durable skills in shaping future scientists. Whether you're sparking student interest in STEM or looking for real-world applications of classroom learning, this episode offers a fascinating look into the possibilities of a career in science.

Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

Entry Points Into Machine Learning Sep 16, 2025

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In today's episode, we'll explore three tools you can use to introduce Machine Learning to your students: Google's Teachable Machine, Micro:bit CreateAI, and Grammarly's Complete Guide to Machine Learning. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

Pathways to Successful Career and Test Prep, with Stephen Johnson Sep 10, 2025

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Stephen Johnson, educator, author, and founder of AptivPrep, shares his inspiring journey from growing up in inner-city Los Angeles to building an AI-powered platform that helps students reach top-tier SAT and ACT scores. With the mantra “Better scores lead to more open doors,” Stephen explains how early preparation, access to free resources, and intentional mindset shifts can transform college and career opportunities for students, especially those facing systemic barriers.

The conversation dives into his philosophy of service, how technology can scale impact without losing the human touch, and practical strategies educators can use to demystify standardized testing for their students. Along the way, Stephen offers encouraging reminders that persistence, preparation, and the right tools can change life trajectories. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

ChatGPT Study Mode Sep 09, 2025

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Explore the features and functionality of ChatGPT's new study mode.

Teachers Have Bigger Fish to Fry: Can AI Help?, with Maurie Beasley Sep 03, 2025

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Teachers Have Bigger Fish to Fry: Can AI Help?, with Maurie Beasley

Educators are juggling more than ever, from administrative overload to emotional demands, and finding time for new innovations feels impossible. In this episode, we sit down with Maurie Beasley, an educator, counselor, tech administrator, and author, to explore the crucial question: Can AI actually help?

Drawing from her new book, Teachers Have Bigger Fish to Fry! Tales from K12 Education: How AI Might Help…or Maybe Not, Maurie shares honest and heartfelt stories from the classroom. Together, we explore how AI is showing up as a helpful tool and also, depending on the situation, sometimes an unfit substitute. Tune in to hear how AI is giving teachers time back—and where it still falls short in meeting the deeply human needs of students and educators alike. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

AI Literacy Toolkit for Families Sep 02, 2025

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In today’s episode, we'll review the contents of the AI Literacy Toolkit for Families co-created by Common Sense Media and Day of AI. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

CS Education in the Age of AI, with Perry Shank Aug 27, 2025

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As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly embedded into daily life, computer science education must evolve to help students navigate and shape this new terrain. At the heart of this transformation is a powerful idea: keeping humans in the loop.

In this episode, Perry Shank, Senior Director of Research and Development at CodeVA, joins the Unpacking Education team to explore how computer science education is redefining itself in an AI-driven world. He shares his personal journey, touches upon the importance of understanding AI—not just as users but as informed creators and collaborators—and offers powerful insights around integrating AI meaningfully and ethically into the classroom.

Perry emphasizes that while AI tools can be powerful collaborators, they should never replace human reasoning, creativity, or ethical judgment. “We have to make sure students are not just asking for an output and running with it,” Perry says. “They need to balance machine reasoning with their own sense of judgment.”

This episode explores how educators can foster that balance by demystifying how AI works, spotlighting human decision-making in data and design, and engaging students in thoughtful use of these tools. From hands-on activities—like Google's Teachable Machine and micro:bit CreateAI—to building custom Generative Pre-trained Transformers (GPTs) for critical conversation, Perry highlights the importance of curiosity, experience, and reflection. AI literacy must be as foundational as math, and it must center the learner as a thinking, ethical, and empowered human in the loop.

Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

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