Visit the Edutopia website. Edutopia was founded and is chaired by director George Lucas, of Stars Wars and Indiana Jones fame, to document and disseminate the best of what is happening in classrooms in hope that “by shining the spotlight on these inspiring teachers and students, others will consider how their work can promote change in their own schools.”
Lucas states, “Public education is the foundation of our democracy -- the stepping-stones for our youth to reach their full potential. My own experience in public school was quite frustrating. I was often bored. Occasionally, I had a teacher who engaged my curiosity and motivated me to learn. Those were the teachers I really loved. I wondered, "Why can't school be engaging all of the time?" As a father, I've felt the imperative to transform schooling even more urgently.”
1. Follow this link to http://www.edutopia.org/magazine and peruse through the topics and articles available in either the current issue or past issues of the Edutopia Magazine. Choose one article that relates to you as a teacher and creativity and read it. Post in your comment what article you read, a brief summary, the link to your specific article, and most importantly, how you were affected by what you read.
2. Please look at the following slide show. Did you have an "a-ha" moment? What were two or three myths that you identified with? Why? Any "sacred cows" roaming around in your creative pasture?
Visual Creative Thinking
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42 comments:
As I was viewing the slide show the quote "Life in the fast lane: In as increasingly fast paced world we don't make time for creative activities" I felt my whole life was summed up. With all of the extracurricular activities that my children and myself participate in there is not much time for anything else. My beliefs tend to lean toward the myths of I am not creative and creativity results in greatness. I feel like I do not have a creative bone in my body so this class is very intimidating to me.
Video Response
I thought of the educational world we teach in and the lack of concern we have for creativity and the view that it is a hobby and expendable. With the budget issues surfacing and cuts being discussed, the first subjects cut or lessened are art, drama, and music. Myths six and seven relate why: creativity can be viewed as a waste of time and adults and people with serious careers do not bother with it. I love Photoshop and playing the guitar, which accounts for maybe thirty minutes a month because I have “better, more important” things to do. What would my colleagues think if after school I was playing guitar rather than grading? I hate to think it. Finally, I have always wanted to be a comedian and make people laugh. I’ve abandoned the thought of actually doing it, but would never believe that I could not do it or was not funny enough. So that is my sacred cow.
Article Response
The article I read, Hack Attack: Do-It-Yourself Projects Enhance Learning,” was in the June 2008 issue. It discussed the achievements of one specific teacher who made a working whiteboard using a Wii controller for about fifty dollars. It continued to reinforce the idea of using do-it-yourself projects to expand school budget and enhance learning by allowing kids to be creative, explore new possibilities, and problem solve. It made me think of the current struggles I have with technology availability and speed at my current school. I wanted to purchase an animation program for my classroom so that students could make cartoons with their voiceovers in lieu of video camera editing and such as I lacked the video cameras. However, licensing was too much. The article makes me wonder if I could suggest to the kids we find a way to make a cartoon using the existing technology available to us, like windows movie maker, cameras, and Photoshop to name a few. Kids love creative projects and they do enhance learning. I like the outlets this article provides to overcoming obstacles. The article can be found at http://www.edutopia.org/do-it-yourself-tech-projects
Special Report: The Multiple Intelligences Redefine "Smart"
http://www.edutopia.org/multiple-intelligences-introduction This story grabbed me. I have always felt that learning is more then the three “R’s”. I had a few teachers that recognized that and tried to pull my intelligence out of me. I have always wanted to be able to find that in my students, so that they can feel success in the school setting. Many of the students I teach have rarely felt success in school and it is hard for them to accept success when it happens.
The Visual Creative Thinking video had a lot of ideas about creativity. I guess the one thing that jumped out at me was the picture that talked about taking time out of the day for creative thinking. Many days I feel like I am chasing my tail in circles. I don’t feel like I have any extra time to take to be creative.
Article Review:Published Nov.,2005
Professional Development Adds Up: Integrating Integers Across Disciplines
http://www.edutopia.org/math-coaching-integrated-curriculum
This article interested me because it describes how a school in Oregon incorporates math throughout every subject including art and music. With this new approach to teaching math scores went up tremendously. The biggest obstacle they have faced is getting the teachers excited about math. They have used a math coach to come up with suggestions for getting every teacher involved. In our staff meetings we continually discuss the importance of incorporating lessons throughout the curriculm but nothing is ever done about it. If we had someone to coach us how to do this correctly it could be done.
I think as adults, it is easy to hide behind seriousness. Lack of shared creativity becomes comfortable because we don't have to be vulnerable with others about our ideas and expressions. As I started the slide show I thought that it was silly to discuss myths about creativity. Everyone knows what creativity is like, right? However, as the slide show continued, I saw a myths that I believed--creativity results in greatness.
I've always sort of idolized creative people and wished that I could be more creative. The most meaningful pieces I took from the slide show are as follows:
*you must create an environment for creativity.
-without the tools and space, it is very difficult to be in a creative state of mind.
*You can schedule creativity.
-I always thought it should be spontaneous and inspired.
*Set objectives for what you want to learn in the process.
-This was HUGE for me. I realized that creativity can be structured. You can start with an objective and work towards that goal. What a wonderful idea!
I read the article
"Special Report: The Multiple Intelligences Redefine "Smart" which I found in the April issue of Edutopia.
This article discusses Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences and its implications for education, as well as providing links to other articles having to do with the theory.
I love using instruction geared for multiple intelligences in my classroom. Most of the activities are high interest for all of my fourth graders which is great. My favorite part about using these strategies though is the joy on the faces of the children who are not mathematically or linguistically gifted. Providing them opportunities to perform at school in other ways is providing them with success that they might not otherwise feel.
This success is so imperative to children's self-esteem because I believe it communicates to them that even though traditional classroom tasks may be difficult, they have special gifts and talents that are valued by others.
My aha details that jumped out at me were the comments about not making time for creative activities and kids are the most creative. With all of the extra duties I have at Central Heights it is easy for me to say that I can not make time for creative activities. I remember as a kid all of the creative games we would come up with. It was a blast, yet you had time to come up with those games, that was your "job".
The myths that I identified with were:
-I'm not creative
-the lone innovator
-greatness does not always come out of creativity
-waste of time
I identified with all of these myths. I can honestly say that I believed all of these myths to be true! We will have to wait and see if this class can change my truths into myths!
The article I read was called "Math and Science Rock: Hands-on Learning Is Music to Students Ears--and Minds." February 2008 Edutopia. http://www.edutopia.org/math-and-science-classroom
In the article they discussed ways to enrich children in the math and science classes. They talked about a "Lunch Bunch" where they have the kids come into a room at recess or lunch and let them have informal free exploration with manipulatives.
They also had an activy called "Whisk Kids" where they related cooking to science and math.
The next activity discussed was "Shelfishness." It was shelves in the teahers rooms where the kids brought in collections of their own and teachers displayed their collections on the shelves.
They also had activities called Legacy Projects, Interconnectivity, and Boneyard.
I really liked the idea of the informal free exploration on their free time. I think too many times we take these away from kids to cover the "tests." They need that time to be creative and just get into their world. I would really like to try the idea of having the students bring in things they find and display them on a shelf in my room. As the people know who work with me I would have to find a place in my messy room. I really like all of these ideas, but where do we come up with the resources on the tight budget that we have? We were given $125 for our classrooms this year.
Visual Creative Slide Show:
It was interesting to read about the myths of being creative. I don't think there is anyone who could not relate to one or more of the myths. While I am a creative person (in my own mind I am) I still struggle with letting go of an idea that is not working. I usually feel it is me doing something wrong rather than not a good idea. Sometimes this works, other times can be my worst nightmare. Because I have a number of craft abilities I try to give myself time to work on these "projects" in order to releave stress. I can come home and be so stressed that I can't sit down or carry on a conversation with anyone. Let me go into my sewing room and start concentrating on a design or quilt project and the stress seems to just go away. After a few hours I am able to go back to what I was stressed about and clearly see what I need to do. The one image that "popped" out at me from the slide show was number 42. I believe this helps to see how everything fits together in our world of academics. I plan on sharing this with my principal.
Greetings again. I hate this blogging stuff. I had it all done then had to make up some email junk and guess what? All the work I had went away. Who knows where, so I am going to try again.
Some myths that I found interesting included the "I am not creative" slide and "creativity always comes from an epiphany". As the slide show continued there was my justification for not not being creative. It talked about children seeing the world in pictures and imagination. I also am a very visual person but somewhere along the way I lost my imagination. I can relate things to my past though.
On slide 42 was the Building Learning Power diagram. I followed the paths and see that if I had to choose one path it would have to be the Learning aloud Modeling. I still see myself talking myself through the problem and my students thinking I am crazy. It works for me.
What in the world is meant by Sacred cows. Does that mean my contentness with my "winter insulation"? Or is my sacred cow my in progress wood working shop that I truly enjoy?
Oh. I almost forgot. I hate this blog stuff. I need better schooling on this technology for me to become successful.
Moose = Aaron
The article I chose to read was "Up Front: Putting Public Education Back on Track - Together" April 2009 http://www.edutopia.org/up-front-public-education-reform
This article was written by the editorial director of Edutopia Magazine. He began with taking us back into what has happened for the last year. Our economic and job stability was and is at its lowest and he believes that this will continue for a while. He pointed out our problems and the solutions the government is trying to implement and education seems to be at the fore front of the movement. He states that without education the American people would not be able to better themselves while looking for a diferent job. He stated that the government is putting more money into education in order to fulfill the presidents promise. He wants all of the education field to take advantage of the windfall by pulling together and change the way we have previously been teaching. I don't believe he means we should change everything but to take a deeper look at what our students of today need to learn and ensure them the chance to excel at the level of learning. We can not just sit back and wait but he believes we need to be proactive in our educational fields.
He stated that the Edutopia Magazine would in the future publish articles to help the educators of today with steps on how to become and sustain success. The last sentence of the article summarized his stand on public education. "A door has swung open. Few of us saw it coming. But each of us has a unique opportunity to lean into the change to come. Let's get busy-together-and make the most of it."(Markus)
I totally agree with Mr. Markus we can not hope to accomplish this task on our own but together with others we can shout our needs and concerns to the government. Since this government is willing to listen we may not have to shout as loud.
Taking Back the Class: Teach to the Test? No Way!
Options abound for going off script.
by Eric Hellweg
http://www.edutopia.org/node/2737
This article told the story of Eric Matez, a teacher in Norfolk Massachusetts. Matez was fired for creatively teaching the curriculum. He also contacted parents to explain why he might be fired and that added fuel to the fire. Hellweg also reveals that many teachers are getting fed up with the "teaching to the test" mentality that NCLB has instilled, and many teachers who stray off of the accepted methods of teaching material are losing their jobs.
Hellweg gives resources for teachers that offer various methods of presenting the required curriculum in a creative manner. This material made the article well worth the read. I visited the websites and saved a couple of them to my favorites because I thought that they may offer some interesting projects when I have time to examine them more closely.
It is rumored that the state social studies test is a thing of the past and all I can say is hallelujah brother!!!!!!!
AHA! Maybe I'm confusing artistic ablility with creativity. I am definitely not an artistic person. I don't draw; my stick people are crooked! There are people in my family who are very artistic in this manner and I have always been jealous of, but admired, their abilities. However, I think that I do use creativity to solve problems, or create assignments for my students. After reflecting on: Myth 1 - You don't have to be an artist and Myth 5 - I'm not creative; I have decided that maybe I'm creative, just not artistic!
My sacred cow for education would be that I think rote memorization has its place. I think students should learn states and capitals or the Star Spangled Banner. I am aware that this is not a very popular educational technique, but oh well! My sacred cow for creativity is that I don't have time. Time for creativity wastes time to do necessary tasks, and time is a precious commodity at our house because there are so many necessary tasks!!!!!!!!!
I still am having trouble figuring out what a sacred cow is. I even went out to the pasture and the cows did not know either! I think my sacred cow is written vocabulary. Some people think it is useless. I disagree. I think you just have to change up how you do it so it is not monotonous.
Link to article
http://www.edutopia.org/editors-note-grassroots-education-reform
I thought that this was an appropriate article for the times our society is going through right now. I am a non-tenured teacher and it is definitely scary to hear that schools may have to cut teachers because of the budget cuts. A friend of mine has already lost her job due to the budgets cuts in a different town. Law makers dont understand how negatively it affects students when they cut budgets. I am not sure what I would do if I lost my job and couldnt find another one. I am one of the younger professionals that would like to stay in education, but its tough when you know there is a possibility of losing my job.
Katie Gardner
Lego Mindstorms NXT Robots: Building Bonds with Bots
Learn science, technology, engineering, and math with robot-building projects.
by Owen Edwards
Edutopia August/September 2008
I have never been so blessed to find an article to respond to that actually fits what I teach. Both Jason and I teach an elective using the NXT version of robot from Lego taht was presented in the article. I have seen groups of students struggle with the technology, math and science of thie elective only to have reached success when they acomplish the weekly task. I have not used the robots in my science calss but now I am thinking of ways to accomplish that. What do you think Jason. Are you up to the challenge?
Clowning Around: There's a Comedian in Every Classroom
by Burr Snider
September 2005 Edutopia magazine
This article is about why there are class clowns in school. I will admit that I would try to crack a joke in front of my peers and I never really understood it was an attempt to gain recognition from them. Since I am a first year teacher classroom management is the hardest lesson I have learn from my kids. I see that this is a coping mechanism and one that shouldn't be squashed but redirected. The biggest challenge is to identify class clowns from those who are apathetic and bitter. I am going to try not to quash this behavior but not to also let it get out of hand. Being able to embrace this part of class room culture will do wonders for my sanity. It allows kids to break the dryness of the lesson and I believe that if we can transfer that humor to the material it can allow extra connections to form with it.
Slide show:
I never thought someone would be creative enough to organize a slide show that holds what I thought about creativity.
The big ones were
-You don't have to be an artist
-Lone innovator
-I'm not creative
These are just a few that I have always felt. First I used to draw all the time as a kid but what I got was not what I wanted so I gave it up in high school. Also I always thought that creativity could only come from one person. If you have more then one then it curtails into a diplomatic game of accepting the ideas of other to reduce conflict. I hope that this course will help out the way I will teach. Also, the sacred cow says "MOOOOOO"
Slide Show:
I do not believe the myths. We all have the ability to be creative, I think we find reasons not too.
Creativity has been swallowed up by what ever is simple and easy. More and more people live in a hurry up world; fewer and fewer take time to “smell the roses”.
I do not feel creativity has lessened, we are just so afraid to express it or we just keep it inside where no one can ridicule us.
I read the article "Reforming the School Day: The Evaluation of Full-Time Learning Programs". The article states the the current structure of the school day is obsolete due to the increasing complexity of learning caused by the increased diversity of the school population, inequity of out-of -school opportunities and the increased role of technology. The article explains what is important in successful expanded learning opportunities (ELO). It is important that an ELO program tap into students' interests, such as music, dance, sports, and field trips. It is important to tie what the students are ding in the classroom to real world situations. A successful ELO program has a well - conceived plan, curriculum, and prepared materials. A well planned and executed ELO program can enhance classroom instruction and spark the interest in students.
Visual Creative Thinking.
Everyone can be creative. Creativity can take small steps. Groups can be creative. Don't hold on to ideas just because they have been around a long time. Consistency makes people comfortable but limits creativity. Creativity can make us uncomfortable. Creativity is a skill that can be developed and strengthened with practice.
Alot of times when people display creativity we think they're nutjobs.
Don't be deceived by this slide show's low friction slickness and appealing primary colors, creativity requires old fashioned hard work. Old fashioned hard work is not in fashion these days.
Despite that fact, I say release the creativity!
Taking Back the Class: Teach to the Test? No Way!
Options abound for going off script
By Eric Hellweg
http://www.edutopia.org/magazine/jul06
An article about a teacher named Eric Matez who was fired from his school for not teaching the required curriculum for required by his district. He was “wasting” his student’s time teaching them material not found in the book, material not found on the state test.
What was interesting was the idea of finding ways to go beyond the test or book. A web site has been created giving teachers a place to look for ideas to teach in teachable moments.
Education has become so enamored with assessments scores it is losing site of how important the little things are.
Sacred cow? I am still having dificulty understanding what that means according the the big book of language arts so I have an idea: Jason and I are going to use some financial aid to research the difference between his cows and those sacred ones in India. We will keep you posted.
Sage Advice:Teaching to a Diversity of Abilities.
An effective teacher always changes the angle and focus of his or her teaching. I compare teacher and photographer. A photographer must change the angle and focus for varying factors before taking a picture. A photographer, to achieve the best possible photograph, must plan for the photograph. Likewise, an effective teacher should take into account the different learning styles of students within his or her classroom. Just as a photographer would not use the same lens and focus for all photographs, a teacher must change his or her lens and focus for different students.
Video Response
Very interesting. It never seems to amaze me how many people (usually adults) lose their imagination and creativity. Somewhere along the line of growing up our mind closes doors that were once wide open. Does age cause this or adult responsibilities? Who knows! I do know that as a parent and teacher those doors stay slightly open. How you use the cracked door is another issue. Finding different ways to explain things or answer tough questions to your own children can be difficult unless you have kept some of your creativity. Doing the same in teaching applies. Can you list how many different ways to teach figurative language (which is quite fun). Taking a step back into time when your mind let you believe in magic and make believe can open your cracked doorways and allow you to pass through without hesitation.
http://www.edutopia.org/multiple-intelligences-theory-teacher
An Educator's Journey Toward Multiple Intelligences
by
Scott Seider
This article recounts an English teacher's discovery that certain low performing students in the classroom displayed high intelligence level on the football field. He realized "hey these guys are smart!"
He then discusses the merits and difficulties of MI. The main thing is he's trying to get us as teachers to look around and discover the obvious ways students thrive in different intelligences.
Of course students are better at some things than others. I believe teaching a standard to students by way of their intelligence strength is like finding the right metaphor or analogy they're familiar with in order to apply it and therefore comprehend it.
I read the article: Up Front: Putting Education Back on Track by David Markus. I think he is full of it. I have heard for years how we need to rethink our education process. How our children need to be prepped for the types of jobs we now have in corporate America. How American students are so far behind China. Of course we are. Our schools are still on a farmers schedule. Start after harvest, end for planting. Many places in China go all year around and for more hours a day. (I stray from my point.)The government wants change but can't supply what it will take. They go on how they invest in our kids futures.... My eyes are wide open. Anyway the author goes on and on how the government is getting schools up and going. Then makes an excuse (One Caveat)for why we might see teachers being laid off and money for special ed. being cut and on and on.
I read Special Report: the Multiple Intelligences Redefine “Smart”. It tells about how students have intelligences that may not be measurable on a standard IQ test, but that educators know they are true intelligences. I agree with this theory because I have seen it first hand in my classroom. It is important that we realize that not all students learn in the same way and that not all students are talented in the same areas
The slide show:
Interesting. My thoughts when I started this class is that I don't have time to be creative. Perhaps it is not as difficult and time consuming as I thought initially. Life in fast lane seemed to really hit home with me.
I read "Taking Back the Class: Teach to the Test? No Way!" Unfortunately it looks like a few others have read this as well. After reading this article I realized it went right along with what I stated in my Albert Cullum response paper. I believe that educators such as Eric Matez, who was fired for "going off script", are a necessity today but will not be as widely accepted as they were maybe 10-20 years ago. The tests we have to deal with mean everything to the government and doing anything that may stray from them may result in losing a teaching job. Just ask Eric Matez.
After viewing the slideshow i realized that i may never become overly creative. I simply don't have time. Yes, i know that is an over used expression for just about everything that we don't want to do but i am sticking to it. Setting aside time to create a "visual library" just isn't worth it to me. I am a visual person but i need no journal for it. There is no clear path to creativity is another reason why i don't see myself as being creative. I prefer the 'black and white' of life. I like to have the answers there just waiting for me. I am not much of an open ended question type of person. I prefer the straight forward approach that leads exactly where i want to go with no twists or turns. As for 'read more fiction', i can handle that one. I tell myself every year that i am going to do it but am still waiting for that day to come.
Visual and Creative Thinking:
I try to use visual thinking everyday. I tell my students to draw their math problem. Make a chart, use stick people, draw the money.Anything to help sort the problem out in their minds. This also helps them remember things. I think time is ou creative enemy. I mentioned in my creative profile paper that time constraints keep me from doing some of the creative things I would like to do.I think that is true for a lot of teachers. We all are held accountable for teaching certain things within a certain amount of time. Creativity takes time we can't spare. I think everybody is creative in one way or another.
Slideshow:
My "aha" moment came when I realized there are people out there who advocate for having more fun in the classroom. There exists actual, credible people who promote the idea of learning in a variety of ways. What's not to like about that? Surrendering control? When experts tell me to make my class visual and think outside the box for student success, I can point to them and say "they told me to do it this way!"
My sacred cow (O' Holy, benevolent bovine! We humbly beseech your divine intervention in the classroom and . . . what's that I've stepped in?) is that thinking creatively is tough for a pea brained person like me, and then actually producing the creative ideas requires hard work. Hard work is not in fashion these days.
I work in a low socioeconomic community where many students do not have the educational support at home. We do not rely on our parental group for the most part, due to the lack of participation in the past and present. I feel that there are also homes that subject a negative impact on their child's education. The article, "How To: Create a Program That Gets Parents Involved," made and excellent point that we need to create the feeling that we need our parents. If we can build a positive and reliable relationship with these parents and involve them, they may volunteer more and become more prevalent in their child's education. I would love to see mandatory parental workshops to teach parents more effective methods to motivate their child's education.
Slide Show
I wish I would have viewed the slide show before I wrote my creative profile. Every excuse I gave for my creative shortcomings was a myth. For instance, my stating that I do not have a creative bone in my body, my inability to draw, and the claim that my life does not intersect with the need for creativity. I do find it interesting that 80% of our brains are used for visual perceptions.
I did my creative profile paper on sign language. I found it outstanding that 80% of our brains are used for visual perceptions and thats a large part of what sign language is. I love having posters on the wall of pictures, and giving the children chance to tell me a few sentences off of that picture. It is definitely hard at first to get studetns in the mind set of being able to think "outside the box." The slide show also made me think of how toys are made today, specific to one thing, like light sabers for Star Wars. I love using play dough and students have to mold into a shape, an animal and tell me a story about their mold. I definitely believe that everyone once they have practice in visualization, it becomes a lot easier.
Katie Gardner
Who inspires me?
My wife inspires me. She wil not let me sit around and do nothing. She motivates me to become something greater than I am. Barbara is the reason I am going to obtain my masters degree. She pushes me and believes in me in such a way that I want to prove to her that I can do the things that she sees in me.
The article Mulitple Intelligences Redefine Smart is a great article. I look at education as more that reading, writing and arithemtic. It is about helping kids find the way to show what they are learning using whatever tricks they may already have. It's not all about sitting and getting anymore. It's about visual, spacial, kinesthetic learning too, especially in the world we live in.
The visual creative thinking video, made me think about how I spend my time within the lessons that I teach. Do I give enough creative thinking time? Do I let kids think out side the box enough. I need to take a longer look at what I plan to ensure that I am being creative and allowing my students to do the same.
I thought "Inanimate Alice" was interesting. I went through the first three sections. I'm sure students would find this engaging. I think it would hold their interest. Apparently the company that created this story has a way for students to create their own interactive story. It would take creativity to make an interactive story like "Inanimate Alice". This might be the direction we are headed. It might not be enough to ask students to develop a story. They might have to create an interactive environment to go with their story to keep them motivated. My experience is that when I have the students create a presentation on Power Point the content suffers. They spend too much time making the Power Point look cool that when they are finished there isn't much content. I'm not sure what to do about this. This ties in to the K-State professor we looked at last week. He was so excited about the number of people connected to You Tube that he completely overlooked the quality of the content, which was trash. But this is what students have grown up with, style over substance. Don't pay attention to what people say, just focus on how they sat it. The Presidential election was a perfect example of this.
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