Do you remember the days of tornado drills...or yet the more fun nuclear bomb drills in which students calmly moved to the hallways, or huddled under their desks, if not you may still be relatively new to the field of education, but there are times in which the classroom seems anything but calm, in fact it seems more like a hurricane meets a tornado, coupled with a large fire, earthquake and maybe the explosive power of a nuclear meltdown. Let's look at the strategies for some of that chaos back under control and opening the classroom for learning. Don't forget to find us at the following:www.perfect-chaos.orgIG: @perfectchaos7X: @perfectchaos7FB: @aperfectchaos7TT: @perfect_chaos_podcast email: rondablevinsbooks@gmail.comwww.rondablevinsbooks.comDr R: X @drrblevins TT: @rondambDavid: X: dsblev TT: @handoffmedic
Can't believe that it is already that time of year again when we are seeing the supply lists start to come out, commercials for last minute get aways and then it hits you...are you ready for the return to school. Whether you are a veteran teacher or a first year new to the field, the wishlist can help you prepare your classroom to be more welcoming to students . Unless you won the lottery, funding the wishlist can be difficulty, but we go over some of the different things you may include on your wishlist, include the latest book by @Dr. R. So after you listen, let us know what is on your wishlist. Don't forget to find us at the following:www.perfect-chaos.orgIG: @perfectchaos7X: @perfectchaos7FB: @aperfectchaos7TT: @perfect_chaos_podcast email: rondablevinsbooks@gmail.comwww.rondablevinsbooks.comDr R: X @drrblevins TT: @rondambDavid: X: dsblev TT: @handoffmedic
After what seems to be a really long time, the Perfect Chaos Podcast is back. We get behind the microphones to discuss the next iterations of education from P-12 to Higher Ed, Initial Ed and Con Ed, institutional or service based. Come join us on this ride. Also, we will be looking for you to help us with some of these episode check it out and let us know about you. Don't forget to find us at the following:www.perfect-chaos.orgIG: @perfectchaos7X: @perfectchaos7FB: @aperfectchaos7TT: @perfect_chaos_podcast email: rondablevinsbooks@gmail.comwww.rondablevinsbooks.comDr R: X @drrblevins TT: @rondambDavid: X: dsblev TT: @handoffmedic
In Episode 54 of the Perfect Chaos Podcast, we continue to welcome back our educators to the classroom, and know that we are welcoming in several to their first year of teaching, so we discuss 12+ reasons to love Education. From the kind of humans people turn into as they grow, seeing that light bulb come on to teachable moments that transcend standards, these are some great reasons. Let us know what you think Where to find us. Website: www.perfect-chaos.org Twitter: @perfectchaos7 Instagram: @perfectchaos7 Facebook: @aperfectchaos7 TikTok: @perfect_chaos_podcast
In Episode 53 of the Perfect Chaos Podcast, we switch out of the realm of AI and into the bad words of school starting back. Not quite all, at least for some, but soon nonetheless. While we have spoken about the need for work-life balance, this sounds counterintuitive, but will also help keep you on track. Is it a little in each week, starting a few days early, but what does it mean to start slow at the beginning of the school year. Some references: https://www.teachervision.com/themes/back-to-school-headquarters https://www.hmhco.com/blog/back-to-school-articles-resources-for-teachers https://resilienteducator.com/collections/bts/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lv6p-WJOwDo Feel Good Tip of the Week: Don't forget about your body as you start back. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCQXCNO87TzLR8PqxFLEygQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fSgVDLdbMA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPILTd4AD3M Where to find us. Website: www.perfect-chaos.org Twitter: @perfectchaos7 Instagram: @perfectchaos7 Facebook: @aperfectchaos7 TikTok: @perfect_chaos_podcast
In Episode 52 of the Perfect Chaos Podcast, we take a wrap on the month of AI in July as we get into a discussion about AI Trends and Tomorrow's classroom. As we have discussed before, on one of our most popular episodes so far, work life balance is key and AI can help us utilize our time more efficiently to give time back. Big data, no problem. Assessment, lesson plan development and even committee/parent meeting agendas, all can be done by AI to help with time management. Now, before just jumping into those trends, make sure you have an implementation plan, focus on ethical considerations and diversity issues and look for real-world issues to build plans. You may even be able to put your own Beta Test group together. Some references: 1) https://ciddl.org/ 2) https://ciddl.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/InclusiveIntelligence_a11y_navadded.pdf 3) https://iste.org/blog/5-tips-for-using-ai-in-the-classroom 4) https://ciddl.org/?post_series=artificial-intelligence 5) https://tech.ed.gov/ 6) https://tech.ed.gov/designing-for-education-with-artificial-intelligence/ Where to find us. Website: www.perfect-chaos.org Twitter: @perfectchaos7 Instagram: @perfectchaos7 Facebook: @aperfectchaos7 TikTok: @perfect_chaos_podcast
In Episode 51 of the Perfect Chaos Podcast, we explore the transformative power of artificial intelligence to make teaching more engaging and effective. Discover how AI can help you meet students where they are, gamify your standards to capture their interest in just 7 seconds, and tackle time-consuming tasks like meeting agendas, seating charts, and lesson plan development. Learn how to enhance the high-impact aspects of being a teacher and make education more accessible for everyone. Ready to revolutionize your classroom? Open your AI and tune in! Some references: Erik Qualman: Social Media Revolution 2017 - https://youtu.be/odoYOuvwjDE?si=3EQaX8pftFHcmcpm Erik Qualman: Socialnomics 2018 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IcpwISszbQ Speechify: www.speechify.com Where to find us. Website: www.perfect-chaos.org Twitter: @perfectchaos7 Instagram: @perfectchaos7 Facebook: @aperfectchaos7 TikTok: @perfect_chaos_podcast
In Episode 50, we further our conversation into the realm of artificial intelligence and how we can use this to curate our learning opportunities for our students. When we are talking about machine learning and generative AI, what do we think of when we talk about customizing our study journey, and how can it help you reach more students in the time you have allotted. As we wrap up this episode, we want to thank our listeners for joining us in this important conversation. Addressing hard topics with students is a challenge that every educator faces, and by sharing our experiences and insights, we hope to help you navigate these waters with confidence and empathy. Stay tuned for the next episode, and as always, we appreciate your continued support of our podcast. Some references: www.khanacademy.org www.duolingo.com www.curipod.com www.magicschool.com www.schoolai.com www.audiopen.com https://www.press.jhu.edu/newsroom/ten-tips-teaching-ai Where to find us. Website: www.perfect-chaos.org Twitter: @perfectchaos7 Instagram: @perfectchaos7 Facebook: @aperfectchaos7 TikTok: @perfect_chaos_podcast
In Episode 49, we start a deep dive into the realm of AI and what to expect. Now, in episode 49, we start with the basics...some great definitions, where at and of course some movie references to really start off the topic strong. No these notes weren't AI generated, the jokes wouldn't be that good. 1. What exactly is Artificial Intelligence? No we are not talking about Sarah Connor in the Terminator...but the process of mimicking human processes. 2. Is AI A new Thing? Trust me, many of us weren't born yet. 3. Where is AI being used Today? I dare you to ask AI...or just listen here. 4. Why do we need to be using it in education? Are better yet, why not? If it is going to be used, and we know it is...let's start it off right. 5. What are the basic terms used in AI? Things like machine learning, neural networks, and generative AI to start off Our "Feel Good News of the Week" segment brings us the question...If you are interested in learning more about AI, you can check out aiforeducation.io and Iste. You’ve heard me talk about ISTE before, and I just got back from the big Iste conference in Denver, so I will be sharing lots of AI nuggets (and other tech fun) on the blog and on our social media, but these are also 2 great resources to start learning and thinking through utilizing AI in the classroom. As we wrap up this episode, we want to thank our listeners for joining us in this important conversation. Addressing hard topics with students is a challenge that every educator faces, and by sharing our experiences and insights, we hope to help you navigate these waters with confidence and empathy. Stay tuned for the next episode, and as always, we appreciate your continued support of our podcast. Some references: Schoolsai.com MagicSchool Goblin.tools AI for Educators by Matt Miller Where to find us. Website: www.perfect-chaos.org Twitter: @perfectchaos7 Instagram: @perfectchaos7 Facebook: @aperfectchaos7 TikTok: @perfect_chaos_podcast
In Episode 47, we dive deep into a topic that every educator can relate to: addressing challenging and unexpected real-world issues with our students. As teachers, we know that the classroom isn't always a predictable environment, and it's not uncommon for challenging topics to find their way in, no matter how carefully we plan our lessons. These moments can be some of the most difficult and crucial aspects of our work, as they offer a unique opportunity to help students understand and make sense of the world around them. Throughout this episode, we explore various facets of this complex issue: 1. How do hard topics make their way into the classroom? We discuss the myriad ways in which current events, news, or social issues can unexpectedly surface in the classroom, even when not initially part of the curriculum. 2. Why is it important for us to address these topics? We delve into the significance of addressing these hard topics, highlighting the value of fostering critical thinking, empathy, and informed citizenship. 3. What landmines could we potentially have to navigate when talking about these hard topics? We acknowledge potential pitfalls, such as navigating differing student opinions, handling emotional responses, and respecting cultural sensitivities. 4. How do we stay neutral on some of the more controversial topics? We provide practical strategies for maintaining a balanced, neutral stance while encouraging students to form their own opinions and engage in meaningful discussions. 5. How do we give students a safe space to have a voice about what is happening in the world around them? We offer tips for creating a classroom environment where students feel comfortable sharing their thoughts, asking questions, and expressing their concerns. Our "Feel Good News of the Week" segment brings a breath of fresh air, as Ronda shares a tip that's easy for everyone to implement. She emphasizes the positive impact of spending time outdoors on our mood and health, and recounts a recent 2-mile walk in the beautiful fall weather. The simple act of surprising students with a quick outdoor break can make a significant difference in their day. As we wrap up this episode, we want to thank our listeners for joining us in this important conversation. Addressing hard topics with students is a challenge that every educator faces, and by sharing our experiences and insights, we hope to help you navigate these waters with confidence and empathy. Stay tuned for the next episode, and as always, we appreciate your continued support of our podcast.
On this week's episode of the Perfect Chaos Podcast, Ronda and David are ready to go live, but for now we just discuss where we have been and where we are going throughout this summer. From Profession Development that Ronda provided to my faculty and some guests, to the West Tennessee EMS Educators Conference, ISTE, TETA and others. Check out this Perfect Chaos short that talks all about our summer. Also if you ever watched Where is the World is Carmen San Diego, please send us a message. Don't forget, if you are in the Educational Technology realm, check out Ronda's book, Educational Technology, Big Ideas and Practical Application https://he.kendallhunt.com/product/educational-technology-big-ideas-and-practical-applications-classroom Find Us Our Website is www.perfect-chaos.org | Twitter - @perfectchaos7 @drrblevins @dsblev | Instagram - @perfectchaos7 | Facebook - @Aperfectchaos7 and our newly released TikTok at perfect_chaos_podcast. Remain calm in your perfect chaos.
On this week's episode of the Perfect Chaos Podcast, Ronda and David are branching out and working on bringing the Perfect Chaos Podcast to video land as we bring the topic of SEL in the Classroom into our discussion. Social and Emotional Learning has taken a lot of bad wrap over the last couple of years, and while educators didn't come up with the term we have been working with students for years on what to do. As Ronda says, it isn't appropriate to backhand somebody in the classroom. Feel good/Tip of the Week: We are all in the process of either winding down for the summer, or possibly already started back with summer classes, but one way or another, give you self a few short weeks and then get back into planning. Nothing too massive just a couple of hours each week so that when you return you won't have to feel so overwhelmed. Don't forget, if you are in the Educational Technology realm, check out Ronda's book, Educational Technology, Big Ideas and Practical Application https://he.kendallhunt.com/product/educational-technology-big-ideas-and-practical-applications-classroom Find Us Our Website is www.perfect-chaos.org | Twitter - @perfectchaos7 @drrblevins @dsblev | Instagram - @perfectchaos7 | Facebook - @Aperfectchaos7 and our newly released TikTok at perfect_chaos_podcast. Remain calm in your perfect chaos.
On this week's episode of the Perfect Chaos Podcast, Ronda and David are going off script and just talking about the perfect chaos that can occur. While traveling this week, Ronda experienced some of the chaos that can occur and threaten our day, but doesn't that also take into account our plans in the classroom...heck even on the podcast we have a few errors with batteries failing, dogs squeaking, and storms rolling in. So what does your life look like unscripted? Feel good/Tip of the Week: Give yourself a break, follow-up with last week and take a breath but give yourself some leeway, especially here at the end of the semester. Don't forget, if you are in the Educational Technology realm, check out Ronda's book, Educational Technology, Big Ideas and Practical Application https://he.kendallhunt.com/product/educational-technology-big-ideas-and-practical-applications-classroom Find Us Our Website is www.perfect-chaos.org | Twitter - @perfectchaos7 @drrblevins @dsblev | Instagram - @perfectchaos7 | Facebook - @Aperfectchaos7 and our newly released TikTok at perfect_chaos_podcast. Remain calm in your perfect chaos.
On this week's episode of the Perfect Chaos Podcast, Ronda and David are on the topic of Modeling in the classroom. Now we are not talking about finding the best fashionista available and showing off their clothing down the runway, trust me I am not going to be on America's Next Top Model. This is more about being in the front of the classroom and showing the behavior that should be exhibited...Ronda mentioned a couple of times about a kindler, gentler behavior. Do you have to be always on, and can you really use social medias (well we are here so that should answer the second part to that question). Feel good/Tip of the Week: Coming in hot to the final weeks of class, it may be a good opportunity to take a breath. Don't forget, if you are in the Educational Technology realm, check out Ronda's book, Educational Technology, Big Ideas and Practical Application https://he.kendallhunt.com/product/educational-technology-big-ideas-and-practical-applications-classroom Find Us Our Website is www.perfect-chaos.org | Twitter - @perfectchaos7 @drrblevins @dsblev | Instagram - @perfectchaos7 | Facebook - @Aperfectchaos7 and our newly released TikTok at perfect_chaos_podcast. Remain calm in your perfect chaos.
On this week's episode of the Perfect Chaos Podcast, Ronda and David take on burnout, and more specifically the topic of burnout when it comes to educational technology. We take several rabbit holes on this episode including a long conversation about what burnout is, and then we tie it to the ed tech. Was COVID-19 the starting off spot, or did it just serve as a catalyst to picking up the pace, and how do we address it before it takes us out of our chosen profession and maybe a little further. Feel good/Tip of the Week: Ronda gets into conversations with those that are exhibiting inappropriate behavior. Have a conversation, ask why, and see how we can help these individual reframe and get to where they were actually going. Don't forget, if you are in the Educational Technology realm, check out Ronda's book, Educational Technology, Big Ideas and Practical Application https://he.kendallhunt.com/product/educational-technology-big-ideas-and-practical-applications-classroom Find Us Our Website is www.perfect-chaos.org | Twitter - @perfectchaos7 @drrblevins @dsblev | Instagram - @perfectchaos7 | Facebook - @Aperfectchaos7 and our newly released TikTok at perfect_chaos_podcast. Remain calm in your perfect chaos.
On this week's episode of the Perfect Chaos Podcast, Ronda and David take on the question, can you just send me your powerpoint? Whether you are at a conference, or have a student that went on a school sponsored field trip and missed your class, do you give them what they ask for? What about the key to the content, you? Feel good/Tip of the Week: Don't forget to take time to thank your people. Don't forget, if you are in the Educational Technology realm, check out Ronda's book, Educational Technology, Big Ideas and Practical Application https://he.kendallhunt.com/product/educational-technology-big-ideas-and-practical-applications-classroom Find Us Our Website is www.perfect-chaos.org | Twitter - @perfectchaos7 @drrblevins @dsblev | Instagram - @perfectchaos7 | Facebook - @Aperfectchaos7 and our newly released TikTok at perfect_chaos_podcast. Remain calm in your perfect chaos.
On this week's episode of the Perfect Chaos Podcast, Ronda and David take on the topic of Sage on the Stage...you remember what we are talking about. Remember back to your first University 101 class with 300-400 of your closest friends, where the profession would lecture for an hour straight and walk straight off the stage. Did you pick up some of that in your teaching style? Is it a good thing, and if so when and where? Feel good/Tip of the Week: Don't throw the baby out with the bath water...Seek balance. Don't forget, if you are in the Educational Technology realm, check out Ronda's book, Educational Technology, Big Ideas and Practical Application https://he.kendallhunt.com/product/educational-technology-big-ideas-and-practical-applications-classroom Find Us Our Website is www.perfect-chaos.org | Twitter - @perfectchaos7 @drrblevins @dsblev | Instagram - @perfectchaos7 | Facebook - @Aperfectchaos7 and our newly released TikTok at perfect_chaos_podcast. Remain calm in your perfect chaos.
On this week's episode of the Perfect Chaos Podcast, Ronda and David take on the topic of educator perception and movement in the political arena. How do you go from being an essential front line person to one that is having their processes and effectiveness questioned. We would love any and all feedback on this episode. Feel good/Tip of the Week: Be a blessing to another teacher. Doesn't mean that you have to buy them a gift, it may mean that you just write a quick note or just give them a fist bump and a positive message. Don't forget, if you are in the Educational Technology realm, check out Ronda's book, Educational Technology, Big Ideas and Practical Application https://he.kendallhunt.com/product/educational-technology-big-ideas-and-practical-applications-classroom Find Us Our Website is www.perfect-chaos.org | Twitter - @perfectchaos7 @drrblevins @dsblev | Instagram - @perfectchaos7 | Facebook - @Aperfectchaos7 and our newly released TikTok at perfect_chaos_podcast. Remain calm in your perfect chaos.
On this week's episode of the Perfect Chaos Podcast, Ronda and David take on the topic of establishing your classroom technology plan. This plan goes over a lot of the content of chapter 3 or Ronda's Textbook, but we help pass along the information about how to best integrate technology into the classroom to make it effective for the student, and efficient for the educator. Feel good/Tip of the Week: Do the dress up day! If you have a day, a week, or just something random, do the dress up day. We all know the homecoming week activities, but if they see you in the dress up, they will be more about to take down their guard. Don't forget, if you are in the Educational Technology realm, check out Ronda's book, Educational Technology, Big Ideas and Practical Application https://he.kendallhunt.com/product/educational-technology-big-ideas-and-practical-applications-classroom Find Us Our Website is www.perfect-chaos.org | Twitter - @perfectchaos7 @drrblevins @dsblev | Instagram - @perfectchaos7 | Facebook - @Aperfectchaos7 and our newly released TikTok at perfect_chaos_podcast. Remain calm in your perfect chaos.
On this week's episode of the Perfect Chaos Podcast, Ronda and David take on the topic of absences and preparing for how to get those students caught up. After last weeks conversation about setting expectations, you should have a good foundation to going forward with absences. Feel good/Tip of the Week: Have you ever made it to the educational side of TikTok, if not, take a look and see what it has to offer. Or maybe yet, create a TikTok like series to gain the interest and tease the next lesson. Take a listen to Ronda's tip of the week. Don't forget, if you are in the Educational Technology realm, check out Ronda's book, Educational Technology, Big Ideas and Practical Application https://he.kendallhunt.com/product/educational-technology-big-ideas-and-practical-applications-classroom Don't forget to go by the Pursue Company and see our line of Perfect Chaos Apparel. Find them at www.thepursueco.com and click on shop and scroll down to find our gear. They have comfortable apparel in long sleeve and short for your needs. Find Us Our Website is www.perfect-chaos.org | Twitter - @perfectchaos7 @drrblevins @dsblev | Instagram - @perfectchaos7 | Facebook - @Aperfectchaos7 and our newly released TikTok at perfect_chaos_podcast. Remain calm in your perfect chaos.