EdTech Unpacked
Unpack technology that equips you to be the legendary teacher that God made you to be. Hosts Desmond Suarez and Aaron Long, inspire and equip educators to create learning experiences that teach and transform the lives of their students through new technology and resources.
Unpack technology that equips you to be the legendary teacher that God made you to be. Hosts Desmond Suarez and Aaron Long, inspire and equip educators to create learning experiences that teach and transform the lives of their students through new technology and resources.
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Episodes

Jul 29, 2025
Jul 29, 2025
50 min
Dive in with us as we explore why you should be using HyperDocs in your classroom! We'll hear from Lisa Highfill, the author of The HyperDoc Handbook (available here https://a.co/d/8SdSYXH ) and look at both the "simple model" and the "full model" outlined below! Wow! So much to unpack here and learn about! We know that after tuning in to this episode you will soon be exploring how you can implement them in your classroom setting! Full Model: Engage - Explore - Explain - Apply - Share - Reflect - Extend Simple Model: Explore - Explain - Apply 0:00 Welcome and Introduction of Lisa Highfill 2:15 First "Ah-Ha" Moment with Google Docs 4:50 Introduction to Hyperdocs 16:32 Let's Unpack the Tech! - Breaking Down Hyperdocs 20:05 Choice Boards 24:57 Engage & Explore 28:57 Teacher Creativity-Driven & Frequency of Use 31:10 What Implementation Looks Like 33:58 Explain 36:13 Apply & Share 40:15 Reflect 41:20 How Grading Fits In 45:00 Extend 46:01 AI and Hyperdocs? 47:22 Wrapping Up! 49:02 Closing Blessing & Reminder Connect with us: Subscribe here on Youtube! https://www.youtube.com/@EdTechUnpacked?sub_confirmation=1 https://edtechunpacked.com/ (submit questions) https://instagram.com/edtechunpacked https://bsky.app/profile/edtechunpacked.com https://twitter.com/EdtechUnpacked https://www.facebook.com/edtechunpacked Continue learning about Hyperdocs & Engage: Follow Lisa Highfill on Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/lisahighfill.bsky.social Learn More: https://hyperdocs.co Facebook HyperDocs Group: https://www.hyperdocs.co/teachersgiveteachers Teachers Give Teachers: https://www.hyperdocs.co/teachersgiveteachers #HyperDocs #EdTech #TeachersOfYouTube #GoogleForEducation #GoogleClassroom #DigitalLearning #InnovativeTeaching #LessonPlanning #TechInTheClassroom #HyperDocLesson #HyperDocsInAction #TeacherLife #StudentEngagement #EdTechTools #K12Education #21stCenturyLearning #BlendedLearning #GoogleDocs #Educators #TeachingTips #edtechunpacked #adventisteducation #adventist #adventistchurch #aetech
Jul 29, 2025
50 min

Jul 15, 2025
Jul 15, 2025
57 min
Wow! So much to cover and share as we return from the largest EdTech convention in North America, ISTELive 2025! Join us as we "unpack the tech" and recap the convention in this "part 2" episode (Part 1 available here: https://youtu.be/Jk1taUWos8Y ), including interviews with Canva, the latest from Google, Rocket Drones, and Jamf, more hidden gems!
Canva/Classroom Graphics Episode Link: https://youtu.be/CHjZPOc_2dg
Rocket Drones: https://rocketdrones.com
Google for Education: https://edu.google.com/intl/ALL_us/workspace-for-education/add-ons/google-workspace-with-gemini/
Canva Education: https://www.canva.com/education/
Socrait: https://socrait.com/
Jamf: https://www.jamf.com/
VibeGrade: https://vibegrade.com/
On This Episode (Episode Preview)
Welcome & Introduction
The ISTE Experience (Expo Hall)
Let's Unpack the Tech
Canva Interview (Canva Code & Magic Activities)
Rocket Drones Interview (Industry Training for Students)
Socrait Interview (AI Using the Teacher's Voice to Track Interactions)
VibeGrade Interview (AI Grading Software for Teachers)
Jamf Interview (Tools for Teachers to Control iPads)
Google Interview (Gemini, Canvas, Notebook LM)
Key Takeaways & Wrapping Up
Shoutout Guam Adventist Academy Teachers
Help Desk Invite: Send us Your EdTech Problems
Connect on Social Media
Closing Blessing Coach Jeffery's Podcast: @TheCoachJeffery
EduTech Guys: https://linktr.ee/edutechguys
Jul 15, 2025
57 min

Jul 2, 2025
Ep19 Experience the ISTE Live 2025 Expo Hall
Jul 2, 2025
Jul 2, 2025
34 min
Join us for a whirlwind tour of Exhibit Hall at the massive expo hall of the ISTE Live 2025 conference and listen in as we talk with some of our favorite exhibitors and companies! Couldn't make it to ISTE yourself... join us for the next best thing! Be blessed! We feature Makedo, Classkick, B&H B2B/Omnia, Lego Education, Sphero, Robolink & Codrone EDU, IPEVO, Prodigy, Wakelet, EdPuzzle, Vex Robotics, Quizziz/Wayground, Epson Multi-Projector Applications, Epson DTF & DTG Printers, Ozobot, Brisk Education, Magic School, SchoolAI, and Figma.
Jul 2, 2025
34 min

Jun 24, 2025
Jun 24, 2025
1 hr 1 min
To determine which AI is superior, we compared Open AI with Chat GPT vs Google AI with Gemini for lesson planning. Our guest, Israel, judged which one he found more useful in the classroom. But you judge for yourself! Join us as we unpack the tech!
Desmond's Lesson plan from Gemini
Aaron's Lesson plan from ChatGPT
Resources Referenced:
Open AI
ChatGPT
Gemini
#googleai #googlegemini #gemini #openai #chatgpt #gpt4o #lessonplan #throwdown #edtech #edtechunpacked #podcast #teachertech #teachertips #teachertools #teacherpreparation
Jun 24, 2025
1 hr 1 min

May 28, 2025
May 28, 2025
41 min
Stop bringing stuff home teachers! As educators, we all know that school life follows us everywhere! It's time to break the cycle of exhaustion, and use organizational tools to help you! On today's episode, we dive into task apps/"to-do apps" and share some insights in ways they can help you be more efficient with your time. We look at some free and paid options, so there is something for everyone! We even look at some power user processes that might just be the ticket to bringing less work home! Join us as we unpack the tech and dive into task apps!
May 28, 2025
41 min

May 13, 2025
May 13, 2025
56 min
We talk about some of the challenges with how Differentiating Instruction has been implemented. So, Instead we talk about the power of Universal Design for Learning and how technology can enable you to empower all of your students with the tools they need to be successful.
We demonstrated the use of Gemini 2.5
May 13, 2025
56 min

Apr 30, 2025
Ep 15: Effective & Engaging Formative Assessment
Apr 30, 2025
Apr 30, 2025
49 min
Join as we take a deep dive into the world of classroom formative assessment and highlight how, using mainstream platforms, you can take your formative assessment to the next level! Because remember, it's not just about the tech and tools you use, but how you engage your students! We invite you to join us as we ask and answer key questions, including:
What's important to remember when planning formative assessment?
What are common pitfalls with formative assessment?
How can you use IXL Group Jam to improve your formative assessments?
How can Desmos serve as a key part of your formative assessments?
Can SchoolAI join the mix as a regular use platform for formative assessments?
#edtech #edtechtools #ixl #desmos #schoolai #formativeassessment #classroomengagement #podcast
Apr 30, 2025
49 min

Apr 16, 2025
Apr 16, 2025
1 hr 4 min
Join us as we dive into Canva and more on our journey to help you rock your classroom graphics! From presentations to classroom posters & more, we share some power tools that are not only super easy, but totally free! Stuck in the PowerPoint or Google Slides world? Time to break free and simplify while also enhancing your students' experience! With incredible new tools just launched from Canva, there's no better time than now to take your classroom graphics to the next level!
Canva Education
Canva Uncharted (Dive Deeper- ALL New Releases)
Southern Adventist University
Apr 16, 2025
1 hr 4 min

Meet the Hosts
Desmond Suarez II (left)
I work at Richmond Academy where I have been teaching since 2012. I teach religion, social studies, computers, and photography / videography.
I am a proud graduate of Southern Adventist University with a bachelors in Religious Education and a minor in Computers. I also have a masters in Instructional Systems and Learning Technology from the great Florida State University.
I really love helping people learn so that they can fulfill their greatest potential and finding the best tools to accomplish this.
Aaron Long (right)
I work at Burton Adventist Academy where I have been teaching for over a decade, and now work in the area of Development and Advancement.
I am a proud graduate of Southwestern Adventist University with a bachelors in Religious education and a minor in Psychology. I received my masters in Instructional Design and Technology from Walden University in 2017 and I have a passion for leading and inspiring educators, especially in the area of thoughtful integration of classroom technology.
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Find out more at EdTechUnpacked.com



