Tech Unwreck Vivacity Tech PBC

In this episode, Nikki Acevedo is joined by tech enthusiast Melissa Fierro, who shares her insights on interactive flat panels' transformative role in classrooms. Learn how their versatile features and low maintenance make them a preference over traditional projectors.
Witness the future of classroom engagement through Melissa's experiences with collaborative mapping activities, demonstrating the panels' interactive capabilities and data pattern revelation.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
06:18 Evaluating interactive flat panels for classroom use.
08:04 Expert discusses the use of interactive flat panels.
12:38 Challenges with IFPs and lack of content.
14:14 Interactive flat panel benefits, with height adjustability.
17:49 Students learn earthquake locations, scale through activities.
21:49 Interactive flat panels used for various activities.
24:45 Consider IT standpoint, ease of use, device management.
27:39 Google Admin Console managing Android apps on boards.
31:53 Finding joy in helping teachers and students.
32:54 Train teachers to use devices effectively, encourage play.
36:47 Two Instagram accounts for personal and professional.

Additional Links:
bit.ly/IFPS – Melissa’s Presentation
bit.ly/KaysTechHelp – Melissa’s Website

Tune in for an enlightening discussion on evolving educational tech and Instagram for tidbits from Melissa's journey. Don't forget to hit follow and spark the change in your classroom.

In this episode, Nikki Acevedo engages in a lively conversation with Nicole Levy and Dave Gaglione from Luther Memorial School. The episode dives into the crucial role of professional development in school tech and education.
Nicole and Dave share their insights on the importance of professional development for educators, the impact of technology in the classroom, and the deliberate planning behind their school’s professional development strategy.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
04:11 Importance of professional development for teachers discussed.
07:28 Professional development: practical skills for teachers' classrooms.
10:21 Plan, reflect, and set goals for development.
15:19 Teacher time is valuable; technology benefits education.
19:21 Principal and VP set example by attending PD.
22:41 PD success and gratitude for a new offering.
24:01 Conclusion
Tune in and gain valuable insights from Nicole and Dave’s experience at Luther Memorial School and discover how to enhance your education technology expertise. It’s time to take your knowledge on ways to unwreck your school tech to the next level!

In this episode of "Tech Unwreck" Nicky Acevedo sits down with Bria Faithful, the curriculum specialist at Vivacity Tech, to discuss the Student Repair Academy (SRA) program. SRA is an 80-hour, self-paced curriculum designed to equip students with the skills to repair Chromebooks.
Bria explains how the program meets ISTE standards, includes a mix of online learning and hands-on training, and offers a certificate of completion issued by Vivacity Tech. She also shares insights on how schools are implementing SRA, the relevance of student tech teams, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the rise of technology in schools.
Timestamps:
00:00 Former teachers surprised by relevance of student tech teams.
06:17 Annual curriculum updates driven by user feedback.
07:58 Flexibility in self-paced learning benefits educators.
10:59 Dream big, plan carefully, provide student support.
14:31 Conclusion.
Links:
SRA Brochure–https://drive.google.com/file/d/1a-HiZD00bzx3dfwZjOtnsn2y4FT41cPB/view?usp=sharing
Schedule a Demo with Bria– https://meetings.hubspot.com/bria-faithful/sra-demo
StarTribune SRA Article–https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-school-districts-turn-to-students-to-help-fix-growing-backlog-of-broken-laptops/600290052/
CITE 2023 Article: https://www.govtech.com/education/k-12/cite23-student-tech-teams-support-overwhelmed-it-staff?utm_campaign=December%202023&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-88PRsNlbSgn105bYVTa1RfVH1pxk7o4wb3LkAN4iNaL1O7G2gCA6xrC7pWKIHhN-f_Mp5w
If you're intrigued by the idea of launching your own student tech team or implementing SRA in your school, this episode is packed with valuable insights. Learn how the program can be tailored to fit various learning environments and the support provided for students and course facilitators. Discover how SRA not only equips students with practical repair skills but also teaches them effective communication and professional development. Join us in unwrapping the world of student-led tech teams and explore the possibilities of implementing SRA at your school.

In this episode of "Tech Unwreck," Nicky Acevedo sits down with special guest Eric Curts to dive into the fascinating world of AI and its potential impact on the classroom. With over 30 years of experience as a technology integrationist, Eric shares his insights on generative AI, its diverse applications, and the need for educators to understand and embrace these innovative tools.
From using AI for personalized learning and academic support to exploring its role in creative writing and research, the conversation offers valuable perspectives on leveraging AI to empower both teachers and students. Nikki and Eric emphasize the importance of guiding students in responsible AI use, setting clear guidelines, and nurturing critical thinking skills in the era of evolving educational technology.
Timestamps:
00:00 AI encompasses various computer functions, notably generative AI.
05:59 Embrace AI for collaboration and personalized learning.
08:04 Simplify reading passages for better student understanding.
11:30 Meta released 3 big language models.
14:26 Students lead in AI, educators need training.
18:12 Interacting with AI in diverse educational ways.
20:04 Suggesting AI debate in the classroom.
24:02 Google Docs and Slides integrated with AI.
26:43 AI assists with reviewing, analyzing personal notes.
29:26 Various resources for learning about AI highlighted.
Links:
In the podcast, Eric talks about the following resources:
AI tools discussed on the episode:
ChatGPT: https://chat.openai.com
Bard: https://bard.google.com/
Claude: https://claude.ai/login?returnTo=%2F
Meta: https://ai.meta.com/
What is coming with AI in Google Workspace:
DuetAI: https://workspace.google.com/solutions/ai/
Notebook LM: https://blog.google/technology/ai/notebooklm-google-ai/ and https://chromeunboxed.com/you-can-now-try-google-ai-note-taking-app-notebooklm/
Connect with Eric: 
Website: https://www.controlaltachieve.com/\
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ericcurts
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ericcurts
Eric’s Work on AI: bit.ly/curts-ai
Tune in as we uncover the endless possibilities of AI in the classroom, demystifying its applications and addressing educators' concerns. Join us as we explore how AI can revolutionize the learning experience and offer additional support for teachers and students alike. Follow us on your favorite podcast platform and on Instagram to stay updated on upcoming episodes and more tips to "unwreck" tech in the classroom!

In the debut episode of Tech Unwreck, we invite you to join us for a lively roundtable discussion with Eli Maloley, and Sandy Johnson, hosted by the wonderful Nicky Acevedo. Together, we delve into the origins of Vivacity, including its mission as a public benefit corporation and the incredible growth of the company over the past five years. We also share personal stories and visions for the tech industry, along with our dream guests for the podcast.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction to podcast with CEO and director.
04:49 Startup success, growth, differing visions from partners.
06:09 Choosing names with qualities for new venture.
11:26 Employees' concerns are addressed, career paths clarified.
15:07 Excited about podcast, celebrating tech innovators.
19:09 Reconnecting with former student brings joy.
20:28 Innovative ideas for industry from top comedian.
24:00 Subscribe, share thoughts, suggest topics.
Links:
Vivacity Website: https://vivacitytech.com/
Social Media–
LinkedIn: https://www.Linkedin.com/company/vivacity-tech-pbc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vivacitytech
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vivacitytech/
X: https://twitter.com/vivacitytech or @vivacitytech
Get ready to uncover the innovation and dedication of educators and tech experts who are revolutionizing the classroom experience. Be sure to follow us on your favorite podcast platform and be part of the "Tech unwrecker" club! Nominate those inspiring individuals who are unwrecking tech in the education space and join us in celebrating their remarkable achievements. Keep exploring new ways to unwreck tech with us on Tech Unwreck!