Living On The Edge of Chaos

In this episode, Aaron Maurer (Coffee For The Brain, Smart Robotics with LEGO MINDSTORMS Robot Inventor), Beth Campbell (teacher-librarian, Forest Grove Elementary), and Sarah Vice (6th grade educator, Forest Grove Elementary) share many ideas to enhance authentic learning for students. This is not a list of apps or tools, but examples of teachers who have crafted quality projects, authentic learning opportunities, and the space to learn deeply to take learning to the next level by empowering students to take the driver seat in learning.This conversation was first published by Comic Con  in January of 2022, but was recorded prior while in the middle of what would soon become this  powerful classroom project that you can find here Permission was granted to share the conversation via my podcastCHECK OUT THE SHOW AND EPISODES ON ITUNESThe show is on Spotify!TOPICS WE EXPLOREWhat does it actually mean for authentic learning experiences where students own their learning journey?Prioritize the need to create the culture before layering anything else into the learningHow does a teacher weave all the content into a cohesive story/throughlineCo-learners and co-teachers need to be co-responsible for learning and teaching in the culture of the classroomIs your space a playground or playpen(Marina Bers)?Celebrate the good, the mistakes, the moments in the process, permission to resetYOUR CHALLENGEExplore the classroom project from this past school yearIf interested in learning how to do this work or possibly join this project this year, then head hereLeave a comment and let’s engage in conversation around the ideas shared, what further questions you have, or what you want to know more about for your own learning journey.VIDEO VERSIONhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2ZmY2gRMiU 

In this episode, I speak with Steven C. Smith is the Education Specialist for NASA’s Educator Professional Development Collaborative at the Johnson Space Center. Steven helps to develop, package, and deliver professional development and STEM Engagement opportunities that translate the work and discoveries of NASA for use in the classroom. His work allows students to participate directly in NASA’s missions, and helps teachers make content more accessible for all their students. Steven has the great privilege of working with educators all over the country, helping them create culturally responsive lessons that will engage students that have previously felt left out of the amazing work NASA is doing.He holds degrees from the University of Washington, Brigham Young University, Georgia College and State University, and Middle Georgia State University. Prior to his work with NASA, Steven spent 20 years in K-12 education coaching educators and teaching special education, regular education, honors, and AP students in Georgia, Washington State, and New Jersey.This was recorded back in February of 2022 after completing a powerful classroom project that you can find hereCHECK OUT THE SHOW AND EPISODES ON ITUNESThe show is on Spotify!TOPICS WE EXPLORE1. Exponential growth of technology and the change that comes with it are happening in space also2. Technology and innovative discoveries for space can have huge benefits for us on Earth3. Learning the importance of failure and ideas not working4. What is NASA looking for when hiring or working for them to design solutions?5. Failure is where growth livesYOUR CHALLENGEExplore the classroom project from this past school yearFollow the Artemis Project on NASANASA Artemis Project NASA SpinoffNASA First Woman Graphic NovelLeave a comment and let’s engage in conversationVIDEO VERSIONNo video provided for this session

In this episode, I speak with Jeff Robin, a former art teacher at High Tech High and one of the original founders of the campus. Jeff has a long career of doing what is needed most for education and not being afraid to disrupt the system that does not work. It is a complete honor to have a chance to talk with him for an hour to learn more about the keys to learning and education. This is my second time having him on the show. This was recorded back in April of 2022 after we connected in person at the Deeper Learning Conference at High Tech High.Direct Link: Episode:CHECK OUT THE SHOW AND EPISODES ON ITUNESThe show is on Spotify!TOPICS WE EXPLORE1. Do the project first as the educaor2. Document everything in the process3. Everything is about communication4. Screw test scores…. They just show how successful teachers were to get everyone to think alike.5. IF you don’t see work up in the school and hallways, then we know real work is not being done. If things are not hanging up, then it means there are not things being done worth hanging up.6. Do the project firstAnd so much more that you will have to listen to.YOUR CHALLENGEListen to previous conversation from 202 - 081: Jeff Robin & Why You Need To Do The Work https://coffeeforthebrain.com/081/Website: http://www.jeffrobin.com/ AND read the books listed on his site!Changing the Subject book websiteLeave a comment and let's engage in conversationVIDEO VERSIONIf you would rather watch the video version, then you can access that version here 

Topics We Explore1:20 - Who is Jacqueline Russell2:00 - Exploring MakeCode4:30 - micro:bit update to hardware coming November5:00 - Using micro:bit in remote environments8:30 - What is difference between micro:bit and Raspberry Pi and Arduino?11:47 - Going through the updates of new micro:bit18:45 - How to access block coding, Javascript, and Python19:30 - More features of the micro:bit28:30 - Using the micro:bit simulator for remote and hybrid teaching31:30 - Connecting micro:bit with arcade shield to use as game cartridgeYour challengeComplete the Learning Pathway – https://sites.google.com/view/firepd/stem-cs-makerspace/the-new-microbit

Topics We Explore1:40 - Who is Mark Sparvell?3:49 - What is some of current research and ideas in the field of SEL across the globe?10:30 - What can we do for the legit concern of educator burnout with all the pressures in schools?18:00 - How do we integrate SEL that does not feel fake or forced?25:40 - The importance of collective efficacy, isolation, and trying to find ways to come together.33:15 - How does one get started to create legitimate changes or improvements in SEL?40:36 - How do we produce first class humans and not second class robots?Your challengeComplete the Learning Pathway – https://sites.google.com/view/firepd/session-5/sel-with-mark-sparvell

Listener Participation.Option 1: Head to the bottom of this post and leave a replyOption 2: Email me at aarmau (at) gmail (dot) comTopics We Explore1:30 - Who is Scott McLeod?3:30 - What are schools doing to find success in this hybrid, online, and F2F teaching?8:30 - How do we begin to tackle engagement when it is more important than ever before?13:50 - Why we need to do less, not more! 20:00 - How do we blend the online, hybrid, F2F worlds into one cohesive thought process, lesson planning, etc.?25:30 - How do we make better use of the live time we have with our students whether that is in person or through a screen? Your challengeComplete the Learning Pathway - https://sites.google.com/view/firepd/session-5/scott-mcleod

Listener Participation.Option 1: Head to the bottom of this post and leave a replyOption 2: Email me at aarmau (at) gmail (dot) comTopics We ExploreWhy is Flipgrid such a wonderful tool for educators to consider using?How is Kerry-Ann using Flipgrid to help manage the hybrid teaching?How can a teacher use Flipgrid for assessment?What are some ways to integrate Flipgrid with other tools such as Wakelet?How does Kerry-Ann handle all the videos and organizing time and energy to review and give feedback?19:00 - The power of taking small steps in our learning23:00 - Final thoughts from Kerry-Ann Here is the video version if you prefer videohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rr70UzUq3WI&feature=youtu.beYour challengeComplete the Flipgrid Learning Pathway - https://sites.google.com/view/firepd/session-3/flipgrid

Listener Participation.Option 1: Head to the bottom of this post and leave a replyOption 2: Email me at aarmau (at) gmail (dot) comTopics We ExploreLearning Outcomes Understand the science and research about online teaching and learningApply the concepts of F2F teaching to online/hybridEngage students in exploring their curiosityDevelop lessons to move our thinking to deeper connection What I will DO in this module:Watch/listen to the conversation with Doug BergmanAnswer the questions provided to engage in the learningComplete challenge 1 or 2 or bothShare your findings with other educators Your challengeCome join the learning here – https://sites.google.com/view/firepd/session-4/teaching-strategies-for-online

Listener Participation.Option 1: Head to the bottom of this post and leave a replyOption 2: Email me at aarmau (at) gmail (dot) comTopics We Explore Learning OutcomesDifferentiate between planning for various modes of engagement, representation, and expression, with a focus on engagement.Provide choice and autonomy in order to promote expectations and beliefs that optimize motivation.Design for engagement in both synchronous and asynchronous learning experiences.Design intra/interpersonal routines to foster behaviors for engagement. What I will DO in this module: Explore how Flipgrid works for both synchronous and asynchronous teaching and learningCreate a sample activity to create engagement within a lessonUnderstand how to access the data to use to determine needs of studentsRevise an existing lesson to add layers of engagementQuestions to ConsiderIs there something missing in your online aspect of teaching that you wish you could get more engagement, student voice, and understanding of student thinking?What have you tried that has worked/not worked to gain a better understanding of student understanding of content, their headspace, and overall well being?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5EyCE-KrG0Your challengeCome join the learning here – https://sites.google.com/view/firepd/session-3/flipgrid

Topics We Explore5:30 Why wonder is so important? How did Jason create wonder in museum settings and convert that to online spaces?6:30 What is the illusion of knowledge?8:00 How does the right question change everything?11:00 When does a revolutionary idea start off popular?14:30 What is process to creating magic and wonder?16:20 Magic is everything we don’t understand19:00 How do we organize the process to create a need to know?(applying magic to all teaching practices)28:00 How you can apply these concepts even if you don’t consider yourself a “magician”?38:00 Take on a challenge and learn magic to experience the power of wonder!42:30 Look around to see how the message of Jason is exactly what the world needs!44:30 Where to learn more about Impossible Science and what is to come48:00 Why  “I don’t know” is not a wrong answer, but the foundation to all scienceYour challengesCome join the learning here – https://sites.google.com/view/firepd/session-3/magic-illusion-of-knowledge