Living On The Edge of Chaos

As I continue to push forward with the job of instructional coach at a school that has morphed into a PBL building I am looking for new ways to help out educators. One of the things I did to help my staff is give a short little survey asking two questions: What is something that you would like help with for this year? What is something that you would like help with to plan and prepare for next year? I received some really thoughtful replies from the staff. One of the ideas that came up several times was the need for teachers to see and hear from other teachers in our building about their projects, how they put it together, resources, etc. I know that to get a variety of staff together is very hard to do with our schedule. I opened up my podcast equipment and asked for volunteers to come in and record an episode. Stephanie Cleveland, 8th grade language arts teacher, was kind enough to give up a prep period to record an episode. Stephanie discusses her Fear Factor project. I hope you find the episode helpful. She has provided a ton of resources below to go along with the episode. If you want to know more or have questions contact me or reach out to Stephanie. I would like to continue to document PBL to continue to help educators learn from one another. If you would be interested in sharing your PBL please let me know. The more we have the better we can all help one another. Shownotes To get in contact with Stephanie Cleveland Blog: http://sclevela.wordpress.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrsclevelandbms Below are some novel movie posters, trailers, and a few public service announcement links from the project.......... http://hndamewood.wix.com/child-abuse http://130306.wix.com/zweifel-westerkamp#!psas/aboutPage http://schizophrenia-depression.tumblr.com/ http://131834.wix.com/arrivealive http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KO2Cke869BY&feature=youtu.be http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TA4yBH_-iGY&feature=youtu.be    

I am so excited and proud to share with the world this podcast. I have wanted to add more student voice to the Living on the Edge of Chaos podcast series. I cannot be more proud to introduce to you Dennis Davis or as he is known on YouTube Dennibro.  I have had the honor to work/teach Dennis for the last five years as part of our ELP program and as of the last few years as a member of our robotics team. The goal of this podcast series is to bring more exposure to the students who are doing amazing things outside of the classroom. These might be the students that go unnoticed at school. They might not get straight A's. They might not have perfect handwriting. They might not fill in every blank on a worksheet. But what they do have is a skill set. What they do have is a mind that can take them places. I view them as entrepreneurs who have the world at their fingertips. As this continues I would love to chat and interview students from all over the world. If you have a student in mind I would love to have the chance to share their story on this podcast. Now it is time to go back to Dennis. I hope you enjoy this interview. He offers some really insightful ideas that I don't think he even realizes. I won't spoil it all, but I would love to hear some feedback to share back with him. I hope you enjoy this podcast. I hope you check out his YouTube Channel and like his music and if you feel like it, be sure to leave him feedback over on his channel as well. Dennis has made me the intro that you hear for my podcasts as well as several other little intros for some upcoming audio projects we have in production. Here is the link to the song he suggested on the podcast for you to check out   Additionally, if you would like to be on the podcast and talk about this topic please let me know as I will be creating a follow up podcast on this topic. As always, I welcome all ideas and feedback. Follow and Subscribe to my podcast on iTunes I finally made it to Stitcher so please follow here if you use Stitcher

This is the first episode in a new podcast series operated by Coffeechug where we will be interviewing and sharing out information related to bald eagles and in particular two eagles, Liberty and Justice. Eagle Eye To The World – This is one of my favorite projects as it is my first big global project that I helped to create and operate. It is like my own little baby. We follow the journey of two bald eagles, Liberty and Justice, as they live life along the Mississippi River, lay eggs, and work to keep them alive. We have a lot going on and you can stay updated with the Eagle Blog. This is the first episode using new audio equipment in the Coffeechug Cafe. In this first episode we chat with John Riches who is the man behind the cameras at ALCOA. We welcome feedback and questions. Enjoy! Don't forget to check out the site - http://www.alcoa.com/locations/usa_davenport/en/info_page/eaglecam.asp

This is audio pulled from a video I made using my Google Glass where I talk about the importance of teachers and educators have the confidence and self esteem to share out their excellence. You can watch the video here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoP2u1Xf5O0

Welcome to the second season of Living on the Edge of Chaos. I am kicking off this season talking about goals, systems, and resolutions. It is that time of year where everyone is jumping on board to create plans and goals to accomplish great things in 2014. However, many people fail at these goals within a month or two. This podcast is discussing what exactly is effective at attaining goals and systems. As I post this podcast I am developing a system to accomplish great things in 2014. I am trying to stay away from "goals" in the sense that they are end all, be all. Listen to the podcast and let me know what you have found to be successful. Additionally, if you would like to be on the podcast and talk about this topic please let me know as I will be creating a follow up podcast on this topic. As always, I welcome all ideas and feedback. Show Notes Michael Hyatt Best Year Ever Program - http://bestyearever.me/register/ - I have not paid for this system, but I have used his other work and it was great. If you use this let me know I would love to know what you think. I will be reading up on James Clear http://jamesclear.com/ In particular you can read http://jamesclear.com/goals-systems I will also be tracking down content from John Maxwell http://www.johnmaxwell.com/ Quote from Scott Adams can be found in his book How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big. You can more on his blog http://www.dilbert.com/blog/ Here is a post based on the quote http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/systems/

  Todd Henry is the author of two great books - The Accidental Creative and his latest release Die Empty. You can check out his website http://www.accidentalcreative.com/ where you can find his podcasts and all social media links.  I read Accidental Creative a few months back and absolutely fell in love with this book and his work. http://coffeeforthebrain.blogspot.com/search?q=todd+henry I then pre ordered Die Empty and absorbed that book even more so. I liked it even more than Accidental Creative. The basis of the book is to help people, companies, businesses, and organizations do their most important work. As I read this book I could relate almost all of it to education and to the many ideas that I am striving for within my own job in education. I sent Todd an email about chatting with me on this podcast and I jumped for joy when he said yes.  Here is the link to his latest book, Die Empty: Unleash Your Best Work Everyday Show Notes Follow this podcast on iTunes and please feedback and ratings.If you would like to watch the Google Hangout you can watch it on YouTube All Social Media for Todd Henry - Please follow and learn from one of the best! Twitter:  https://twitter.com/toddhenry Websites http://www.toddhenry.com/ http://dieempty.com/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/toddhenry.ac All Social Media for Coffeechug - I would love to have you join my PLN MY BLOG http://coffeeforthebrain.blogspot.com/ ABOUT ME http://coffeeforthebrain.blogspot.com/p/coffee-for-brain-book-swap.html TWITTER https://twitter.com/coffeechugbooks GOOGLE + https://plus.google.com/u/0/113960577497815089175/posts Subscribe to my weekly newsletter(right sidebar on blog) Links to items mentioned in the podcast Steven Pressfield - War of Art Alec Baldwin Podcast Here's The Thing Google Glass for Bettendorf Middle School Students http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/google-glass-for-bms-students-and-teachers/x/5714753  

Holy Cow! Did I just type in the title that I chatted with the write and author Clive Thompson? The writer for New York Times, my favorite article in every issues of Wired magazine, and author of my favorite read of the year Smarter Than You Think: How Technology is Changing Our Minds For The Better       Yes, I did just name drop that. Clive took time out of his busy schedule to chat with me for about 45 minutes today to talk about how the new literacies and emerging technologies are shaping our world with a lens on education.   I feel quite honored to be able to present this podcast.   It was a chat that left me tweeting   Just had a great conversation with @pomeranian99 for upcoming podcast. He melted my brain and has opened my eye to new thought. — Aaron Maurer (@coffeechugbooks) November 26, 2013   Go ahead and give it a listen, leave me some feedback on iTunes and let me know what you thought of the conversation. I did have some audio recording feedback so my last question where I ask Clive to speak about predictive technologies was lost. That is a bummer as he gave such an awesome answer. I think the rest of the podcast will leave your brain full!     Show Notes Follow this podcast on iTunes and please feedback and ratings.Listen to podcast on Podomatic.com MY BLOG http://coffeeforthebrain.blogspot.com/ ABOUT ME http://coffeeforthebrain.blogspot.com/p/coffee-for-brain-book-swap.html TWITTER https://twitter.com/coffeechugbooks GOOGLE + https://plus.google.com/u/0/113960577497815089175/posts All Social Media for Clive Thompson Twitter: https://twitter.com/pomeranian99 Websites http://www.collisiondetection.net/ http://clivethompson.tumblr.com/

This episode is one of my favorite things I have done this year in education. As I challenge myself in the things I do, this is the next step. I challenged myself to work on interviewing educators who are full of passion and living on the edge of chaos. I started big and went with Lisa Van Gemert. If you don't follow or know of her, then you are seriously missing out and need to listen or watch this podcast and learn from one of the best presenters I have ever witnessed.   Show Notes Follow this podcast on iTunes and please feedback and ratings.   MY BLOG http://coffeeforthebrain.blogspot.com/ ABOUT ME http://coffeeforthebrain.blogspot.com/p/coffee-for-brain-book-swap.html TWITTER https://twitter.com/coffeechugbooks GOOGLE + https://plus.google.com/u/0/113960577497815089175/posts If you would like to watch the Google Hangout you can watch it on YouTube Follow this podcast on iTunes and please feedback and ratings. - See more at: http://coffeeforthebrain.blogspot.com/#sthash.mPdLp5At.dpuf MY BLOG http://coffeeforthebrain.blogspot.com/ ABOUT ME http://coffeeforthebrain.blogspot.com/p/coffee-for-brain-book-swap.html TWITTER https://twitter.com/coffeechugbooks GOOGLE + https://plus.google.com/u/0/113960577497815089175/posts All Social Media for Lisa Van Gemert - Please follow and learn from one of the best!   Twitter: http://twitter.com/gifted_guru   Websites http://www.lisavangemert.com/ http://www.giftedguru.com/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/GiftedGuru Pinterest http://www.pinterest.com/brightkids/ Slideshare http://www.slideshare.net/lisavangemert Links to items mentioned in the podcast   Is the Lecture Dead? - Richard Gunderman - The Atlantic http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2013/01/is-the-lecture-dead/272578/   Book Review: Platform by Michael Hyatt Sally Hogshead - Fascinate Jason Fried - Rework Malcolm Gladwell - David and Goliath  

  Follow this podcast on iTunes and please feedback and ratings. MY BLOG http://coffeeforthebrain.blogspot.com/ ABOUT ME http://coffeeforthebrain.blogspot.com/p/coffee-for-brain-book-swap.html TWITTER https://twitter.com/coffeechugbooks GOOGLE + https://plus.google.com/u/0/113960577497815089175/posts  Show Notes   This show will focus on the following 5 questions based on my prior podcast on Passion https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/coffeechug-cafe-episode-1/id438001112?i=162564070&mt=2   Questions/thoughts I have been thinking about:   1.  How can I balance a passion with reality?  Seems like when I have a passion, it can turn in to an obsession where I am thinking about the topic and wanting to work on various tasks related to the topic all of the time, which can then take away from time I need to be spending with my family and the mundane chores (dishes, laundry, etc.) that need to be done.  I've been trying to think of ways to balance the two.   2.  If I  am in one of the "valleys" where I don't seem to be passionate about anything, how can I get "fired up" again?  Maybe watch motivational videos, reading blogs, keep up on the latest and newest technologies?   3.  Can passion turn into stress if I get too absorbed?  (Back to the whole finding a balance idea)   4.  How can I address 100+ students' passion in my classroom? I am brainstorming ideas  for projects where students can work on a topic that they are passionate about.   5.  I am still thinking about the question, "What is my wow?"  I am wondering if it would be beneficial to do an activity with my team where we share with other team members what we see as their strengths.  For me, it is easier to see other people's strengths than my own.  This might help to identify my wow.     Theme Song: All credit goes to  https://twitter.com/BigRonCrowley https://twitter.com/schink10

Head to my website for all links - www.coffeeforthebrain.blogspot.com Awesome to have your here! Here is episode three to the Coffeechug Cafe Podcast: Living on the Edge of Chaos This episode I will be sharing out some amazing ideas generated from Teacher Tinker Time this week where we took a look at Augmented Reality in education. I would love to hear from you so please leave any feedback, reviews, questions, etc. Feel free to follow me on Twitter @coffeechugbooks Please subscribe and leave a review on iTunes(I will be very happy for any help you can provide!): https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/coffeechug-concepts-podcast/id438001112?mt=2 - See more at: http://coffeeforthebrain.blogspot.com/2013/11/coffeechugcafe-podcast-series-living-on_9.html#sthash.mj3sjKkq.dpuf Listen to the episode On Friday I set up several tables that looked like the following Augmented Reality Teacher Tinker Time is ready to go! #AR #coffeechugcafe #augmentreality #Framatic I sent out the following email to all staff to come down to my room for Tinker Time Just a reminder that Friday during periods 6,7,8 I will be hosting Teacher Tinker time. We will be looking at Augmented Reality If you have a smartphone or tablet it would be great if you could download the following apps so you can begin to experiment and learn so we can create something very cool in the following weeks. Aurasma Layar Blippar colAR AR Flashcards Brain Scan For Aurasma if you want to follow me (Coffeechug) and another teacher I know (pvjhscience) I can show you some classroom examples. See you tomorrow. Here are some past blog posts regarding Augmented Reality Teach Like A Pirate Poster + Augment Reality = Awesome Classroom Poster FINAL VERSION - See more at: http://coffeeforthebrain.blogspot.com/2013/07/teach-like-pirate-poster-augment.html#sthash.AK6X5gzy.dpuf Teach Like A Pirate Poster + Augment Reality = Awesome Classroom Poster FINAL VERSION Speedgeeking Notes from #ITEC13 via Evernote (my presentation) #ITEC13 Conference Presentations by Coffeechug #coffeechugPLN Theme Song: All credit goes to https://twitter.com/BigRonCrowley https://twitter.com/schink10 Books I Am Reading This Week David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants (finished and book review and future podcast coming) Die Empty: Unleash Your Best Work Every Day (will finish this weekend) Lexicon (will start this week)