Brittany Avila
@drbrittanyavila.bsky.social
Mom | Runner | Hiker | Book Addict 📚 | Teacher | Advisor | Lifelong Learner 🌟 | Always Chasing the Next Adventure 🌍✨ http://www.brittanyavila.com
If you see this, post a random fact about yourself:
One Saturday, I was running on campus during grad school and got recruited to be an extra on Dexter.
One Saturday, I was running on campus during grad school and got recruited to be an extra on Dexter.
If you see this, post a random fact about yourself:
I was recruited for a show on Nickelodeon in 2012 after performing at Paper Mill Playhouse. My mom didn’t let me do it because I would have needed to be in Florida for months, and she wanted me to stay in school. Show never aired — close call!
I was recruited for a show on Nickelodeon in 2012 after performing at Paper Mill Playhouse. My mom didn’t let me do it because I would have needed to be in Florida for months, and she wanted me to stay in school. Show never aired — close call!
If you see this post a random fact about yourself:
I helped discover one of the six quarks. ⚛️
I helped discover one of the six quarks. ⚛️
December 28, 2025 at 12:08 AM
If you see this, post a random fact about yourself:
One Saturday, I was running on campus during grad school and got recruited to be an extra on Dexter.
One Saturday, I was running on campus during grad school and got recruited to be an extra on Dexter.
Yet another reason to dump social media in 2026 (she says ironically while on social media).
Federal records show that ICE has increased its spending on surveillance technology, looking to spend more than $300 million under Trump for social-media monitoring tools, facial recognition software, license plate readers and services to find where people live and work.
ICE taps new surveillance tech as Trump cuts down privacy protections
ICE ramps up its tech contracting in a year when Trump has rolled back several government oversight measures.
www.politico.com
December 27, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Yet another reason to dump social media in 2026 (she says ironically while on social media).
I don't think I've ever seen a better argument for the need for general education requirements. In fact, this makes me think we might need more of them.
In case you were wondering, this is actually how people talk about AI in the Bay Area. It is truly exhausting, particularly when juxtaposed against the broader sociopolitical landscape.
it’s hard to think of a bigger grift than the claim that predictive text aka gAI is ‘conscious’ and thus “deserve rights” like the ability to vote
December 27, 2025 at 5:21 PM
I don't think I've ever seen a better argument for the need for general education requirements. In fact, this makes me think we might need more of them.
My mom turns 67 in 2026 and I just want to send a special shout out to any grandparents who have been or are turning 67 right now, it's going to be a long year for sure.
December 16, 2025 at 6:13 PM
My mom turns 67 in 2026 and I just want to send a special shout out to any grandparents who have been or are turning 67 right now, it's going to be a long year for sure.
Come work with me in Reno, NV! Teaching Assistant Professor position with experience in Behavior Analysis and Clinical Psychology. Non-tenure track, but stable position. 4/4 load and next to Lake Tahoe too! Happy to answer any questions. nshe.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/UNR-external...
Teaching Assistant Professor, Psychology
The University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) appreciates your interest in employment at our growing institution. We want your application process to go smoothly and quickly. Final applications must be submitt...
nshe.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com
October 24, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Come work with me in Reno, NV! Teaching Assistant Professor position with experience in Behavior Analysis and Clinical Psychology. Non-tenure track, but stable position. 4/4 load and next to Lake Tahoe too! Happy to answer any questions. nshe.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/UNR-external...
Reposted by Brittany Avila
Please consider participating in or sharing the recruitment advertisement for our new study, which is focused on understanding body image in bisexual women. The link is in the alt text.
October 24, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Please consider participating in or sharing the recruitment advertisement for our new study, which is focused on understanding body image in bisexual women. The link is in the alt text.
Interesting. Excited to share this in class this week and discuss with my students.
Data from a large, ongoing study of adolescents shows a link between increasing social media use and lower cognition and memory in teens. n.pr/42BJyMB
Kids who use social media score lower on reading and memory tests, a study shows
Data from a large, ongoing study of adolescents shows a link between increasing social media use and lower cognition and memory in teens.
n.pr
October 13, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Interesting. Excited to share this in class this week and discuss with my students.
To see if students in my online class are reading my announcements, I added an extra credit opportunity. This time I asked them to tell me something that made them happy over the week and now I'm smiling reading them all! Highly recommend :)
September 30, 2025 at 4:34 PM
To see if students in my online class are reading my announcements, I added an extra credit opportunity. This time I asked them to tell me something that made them happy over the week and now I'm smiling reading them all! Highly recommend :)
Reposted by Brittany Avila
Say it often, say it loud:
"Overall, research has not supported the common-sense presumption that digital approaches to schooling are better than non-digital alternatives. At the broadest level, widespread computer use in education has been found to be associated with lower student achievement."
"Overall, research has not supported the common-sense presumption that digital approaches to schooling are better than non-digital alternatives. At the broadest level, widespread computer use in education has been found to be associated with lower student achievement."
Fit for Purpose? How Today’s Commercial Digital Platforms Subvert Key Goals of Public Education
Digital educational platforms have become ubiquitous in American classrooms, with tools like Google Workspace for Education, Kahoot!, Zearn, Khan Academy, and many others now structuring curriculum, i...
nepc.colorado.edu
September 29, 2025 at 10:18 AM
Say it often, say it loud:
"Overall, research has not supported the common-sense presumption that digital approaches to schooling are better than non-digital alternatives. At the broadest level, widespread computer use in education has been found to be associated with lower student achievement."
"Overall, research has not supported the common-sense presumption that digital approaches to schooling are better than non-digital alternatives. At the broadest level, widespread computer use in education has been found to be associated with lower student achievement."
Y'all it happened! For the first time I ever I had a full office hour session. Multiple students came and they came for the entirety of my office hours! I even had to have some wait outside for a few minutes. Living the dream :)
September 25, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Y'all it happened! For the first time I ever I had a full office hour session. Multiple students came and they came for the entirety of my office hours! I even had to have some wait outside for a few minutes. Living the dream :)
Reposted by Brittany Avila
The Dept. of Justice has removed a study showing that white supremacist and far-right violence “continues to outpace all other types of terrorism and domestic violent extremism” in the U.S.
DOJ Deletes Study Showing Domestic Terrorists Are Most Often Right Wing
Following Charlie Kirk’s assassination and the Trump administration’s promise to go after the “radical left” a study showing most domestic terrosim is far-right was disappeared.
www.404media.co
September 16, 2025 at 8:33 PM
The Dept. of Justice has removed a study showing that white supremacist and far-right violence “continues to outpace all other types of terrorism and domestic violent extremism” in the U.S.
I remember when I was looking a daycares for my oldest, anytime they mentioned the words "curriculum" "rigor" or "academic standards" I just immediately walked out.
nothing says late stage capitalism like a toddler burnt out from the hustle and grind of preschool
I pass by this school weekly and every time I feel a rush of despair.
September 10, 2025 at 7:44 PM
I remember when I was looking a daycares for my oldest, anytime they mentioned the words "curriculum" "rigor" or "academic standards" I just immediately walked out.
"Censorship and its chilling effect on free speech have no place on campus" is a unique choice of words when your administration just fired a Professor for utilizing free speech.
www.chronicle.com/article/the-...
www.chronicle.com/article/the-...
The Secretary of Education Outlined a Vision for Higher Ed in a Speech. Here’s Some Context.
In an address to Hillsdale College, Linda McMahon articulated the Trump administration’s vision for higher education. We annotated the speech.
www.chronicle.com
September 10, 2025 at 6:43 PM
"Censorship and its chilling effect on free speech have no place on campus" is a unique choice of words when your administration just fired a Professor for utilizing free speech.
www.chronicle.com/article/the-...
www.chronicle.com/article/the-...
Looks like the first amendment is now officially meaningless. www.insidehighered.com/news/faculty...
Texas A&M Professor and Administrators Out After Viral Video
Video circulated by Texas state representative shows student accusing English professor of teaching material related to gender identity and violating Trump’s executive orders. State officials pressure...
www.insidehighered.com
September 10, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Looks like the first amendment is now officially meaningless. www.insidehighered.com/news/faculty...
This is a problem we already know how to solve we just won't implement any of the changes necessary because the people in charge either don't know anything about education or will only listen to data that doesn't accurately portray learning.
www.cnn.com/2025/09/09/u...
www.cnn.com/2025/09/09/u...
US high school students math and reading scores hit record new low, continuing yearslong decline | CNN
A decade-long slide in high schoolers’ reading and math performance persisted during the COVID-19 pandemic, with 12th graders’ scores dropping to their lowest level in more than 20 years, according to...
www.cnn.com
September 9, 2025 at 4:48 PM
This is a problem we already know how to solve we just won't implement any of the changes necessary because the people in charge either don't know anything about education or will only listen to data that doesn't accurately portray learning.
www.cnn.com/2025/09/09/u...
www.cnn.com/2025/09/09/u...
A few years ago @aekelly.bsky.social asked me to help with a project to have students contribute to an OER on underrepresented historical figures in Psychology. Students enjoyed the process and it led to greater feelings of pride, enjoyment, and positive feelings about writing! tinyurl.com/29rm2ju8
(PDF) Students as Co-Authors: Achievement Emotions, Beliefs About Writing, and OER Publishing Decisions
PDF | Faculty interest in open educational resources (OER) and open pedagogy has grown over the past several years. The current study examined how... | Find, read and cite all the research you need on...
www.researchgate.net
August 1, 2025 at 7:07 PM
A few years ago @aekelly.bsky.social asked me to help with a project to have students contribute to an OER on underrepresented historical figures in Psychology. Students enjoyed the process and it led to greater feelings of pride, enjoyment, and positive feelings about writing! tinyurl.com/29rm2ju8
Last semester I learned it was commonplace for my students to track their roommates and friends on Life360. I was flabbergasted! They were shocked that I was shocked. That's when I learned I was in a minority of people who have never used Life360 or similar programs and I was considered weird for it
I think kids should not be constantly watched by their parents all the time, with the amount of supervision decreasing as the kid ages.
Apparently some people find this bizarre and think that parents should know everything a 15 year old does.
Apparently some people find this bizarre and think that parents should know everything a 15 year old does.
July 31, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Last semester I learned it was commonplace for my students to track their roommates and friends on Life360. I was flabbergasted! They were shocked that I was shocked. That's when I learned I was in a minority of people who have never used Life360 or similar programs and I was considered weird for it
Nevada put forth a lot of new laws/ordinances this week. Two stand out:
1) school buses will now have cameras that can ticket drivers who pass when stopped and flashing
2) schools and universities can not replace counselors and psychologists with AI
Way to go Nevada!
www.rgj.com/story/news/p...
1) school buses will now have cameras that can ticket drivers who pass when stopped and flashing
2) schools and universities can not replace counselors and psychologists with AI
Way to go Nevada!
www.rgj.com/story/news/p...
New Nevada laws July 1: religious displays, school bus violations, women with cancer
Gov. Lombardo signed 518 bills into law. Among them: School buses can get ticket cameras, landlords can't ban religious displays, online cigar tax.
www.rgj.com
June 20, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Nevada put forth a lot of new laws/ordinances this week. Two stand out:
1) school buses will now have cameras that can ticket drivers who pass when stopped and flashing
2) schools and universities can not replace counselors and psychologists with AI
Way to go Nevada!
www.rgj.com/story/news/p...
1) school buses will now have cameras that can ticket drivers who pass when stopped and flashing
2) schools and universities can not replace counselors and psychologists with AI
Way to go Nevada!
www.rgj.com/story/news/p...
This is the epitome of who he is. Paving over beauty for no reason other than he can.
June 20, 2025 at 5:19 PM
This is the epitome of who he is. Paving over beauty for no reason other than he can.
Just opened The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker & wow starting strong
"In democracies, the freedom to assemble is one of the foundational rights granted to every individual. In countries descending into authoritarianism, one of the first things to go is the right to assemble."
"In democracies, the freedom to assemble is one of the foundational rights granted to every individual. In countries descending into authoritarianism, one of the first things to go is the right to assemble."
June 10, 2025 at 10:51 PM
Just opened The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker & wow starting strong
"In democracies, the freedom to assemble is one of the foundational rights granted to every individual. In countries descending into authoritarianism, one of the first things to go is the right to assemble."
"In democracies, the freedom to assemble is one of the foundational rights granted to every individual. In countries descending into authoritarianism, one of the first things to go is the right to assemble."
This could be a great time to use mixed age classrooms. If middle schoolers had the opportunity to mentor and help younger students it might be a slightly easier time for them.
I’m on record as saying that we should abolish middle school right along with venture capital, global whiteness and spicy gum.
I have no plan for 10-14 year olds beyond that but anything is better than middle school, my god.
I have no plan for 10-14 year olds beyond that but anything is better than middle school, my god.
May 6, 2025 at 10:52 PM
This could be a great time to use mixed age classrooms. If middle schoolers had the opportunity to mentor and help younger students it might be a slightly easier time for them.
Interesting...Excited to see a focus on students. Will be interesting to see how this plays out. www.insidehighered.com/news/student...
New Carnegie Classification Focuses on Student Success
The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the American Council on Education debut a new classification system focused on student success.
www.insidehighered.com
April 24, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Interesting...Excited to see a focus on students. Will be interesting to see how this plays out. www.insidehighered.com/news/student...
It should be illegal to send out college/grad school acceptances and then say "oops we didn't mean too, you're not actually accepted". At the very least they should be forced to take those students still.
April 9, 2025 at 8:03 PM
It should be illegal to send out college/grad school acceptances and then say "oops we didn't mean too, you're not actually accepted". At the very least they should be forced to take those students still.
Two books came due on Libby at the same time and I can't decide. If anyone has read one or both can you help me decide which to read. It's Chain-Gang All Stars vs. The Will of the Many. I will end up reading both, just need help deciding which to read first.
April 7, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Two books came due on Libby at the same time and I can't decide. If anyone has read one or both can you help me decide which to read. It's Chain-Gang All Stars vs. The Will of the Many. I will end up reading both, just need help deciding which to read first.
But her emails...
UPDATE: The use of civilian software to discuss sensitive military and government matters came to light after a journalist from The Atlantic magazine said he was mistakenly added to a group chat on Signal.
U.S. intel leaders are grilled again about the leaked Signal chat as more details emerge
The use of civilian software to discuss sensitive military and government matters came to light after a journalist from The Atlantic magazine said he was mistakenly added to a group chat on Signal.
www.npr.org
March 26, 2025 at 9:32 PM
But her emails...