In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we’re joined by Betsy Potash, former English teacher, curriculum creator, and host of the Spark Creativity Teacher Podcast. We explore how teachers can move away from teacher-centered instruction and create classrooms where students have more voice, choice, and ownership over their learning.

Betsy shares practical strategies that help make that shift feel possible, including project-based learning, podcasting, silent discussion, and hexagonal thinking. We also talk about why creative structures matter, how they build confidence and engagement, and what it looks like to design learning that feels relevant beyond school. Join us to explore fresh ways to spark agency, discussion, and deeper thinking in the classroom.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

We unbox:

• How teachers can step out of the spotlight and create more student-centered learning
• Why agency, real-world context, and authentic audience increase engagement
• How hexagonal thinking helps students make connections across texts, ideas, and lived experience
• Why silent discussion creates space for every learner to participate and build confidence
• How contemporary, multimodal approaches can make ELA more relevant and creative

Resources:

• The Spark Creativity Teacher Podcast
• Toolkit for getting started with hexagonal thinking
• The Spark Creativity Teacher Podcast Instagram

Produced by NOVA

In this milestone 300th episode of Learning Unboxed, we celebrate with Ashley Price, Director of Student Experiences and All Things Summer and Out-of-School Programming at the PAST Foundation. Together, we explore how immersive, student-centered learning helps young people build confidence, discover new interests, and connect classroom skills to real-world challenges in meaningful ways.

We also dig into what makes these experiences work: student voice and choice, transdisciplinary design, authentic audiences, and the freedom to fail forward. Ashley shares how small shifts in practice can help educators create learning spaces that feel more engaging, relevant, and joyful for students. Join us to explore how we can make school feel a little more like summer camp and a lot more like real learning.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

We unbox:

• How student voice and choice shape deeper engagement and confidence
• Why real-world, transdisciplinary challenges make learning more meaningful
• How authentic audiences help students grow as communicators and creators
• Why failure, revision, and redesign are essential parts of learning
• What educators can do to bring informal learning practices into formal classrooms

Resources:

• Student Experiences at PAST Foundation

Produced by NOVA

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we’re joined by Hillary Summerbell, founder and CEO of Summerbell, a literacy technology company transforming how visual dyslexic learners experience reading. Drawing from her own struggles, Hillary shares how rethinking text layout through her positional reading arc can reduce overwhelm, improve comprehension, and build confidence.

We explore how a simple shift in formatting can unlock access for millions of learners and why dyslexia is often misunderstood as a comprehension issue rather than a visual one. Hillary also walks us through the development of her technology and its potential as both a classroom tool and diagnostic support.

Join us as we rethink what reading can look like and how design can make learning more equitable for all.

To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org

We unbox:

• How visual dyslexia impacts reading and learning
• The science and design behind positional reading arcs
• Using technology to reduce visual clutter and increase comprehension
• The importance of equitable literacy tools in classrooms
• Reimagining education through creativity and learner-centered design

Resources:

• Summerbell Literacy Tools: (Explore the reading and writing tools designed for visual dyslexic learners)
• Summerbell Chrome Extension
• Summerbell Research Page
• Johns Hopkins School of Education

Produced by NOVA