Saturday, July 23, 2011
Friday, July 22, 2011
Is Luna wrong?
I started out thinking that Thomas Luna was a maniac. Well I was wrong. I just heard a podcast on NPR that really opened my eyes. This interviewer pulled no punches and Thomas held fast. That alone gave me his trust. Look, I can't lie. I saw him in a club one night dancing. The guy could move. That alone brings my respect.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Creativity
Creativity
Has creativity left the school building? Did it check out? In our quest to increase test scores what are some areas that were left out or behind? Creativity? Imagination? Play? Fun?
Although it is not a tested area, creativity plays a vital role in our lives. Creativity is part of what makes us –us. Long before days of Xbox, PlayStation, Wii and Atari, we had to be creative on finding our own fun. Our toys were made of rugged or natural materials and with them we had adventures that could keep us going from sun- up to sundown for days. Kids are not like that today. What is killing it? TV? Technology? Standardized testing?
In school, we had arts education every week. With this, we explored different art mediums and created something tangible that we could take home and hang on the refrigerator. As a teen, I noticed that art took on the shape of art class where we made tile art, decoupage (it was the 70’S!) and lots of line and art drawings. I also took a metals class where I created some cool jewelry with silverware. So, what about now? What kind of lessons do we give kids that inspire them to be creative? It seems that with standards, budget cuts and testing, the powers to be decided something had to go. So, they cut non-essential subjects such as art, music and P.E. But, is that the best plan of action? The Newsweek article states that when we are being creative we use divergent and convergent thinking to get the job done. How can that be a bad thing? Why do we take out the programs that require us to use our brain in a different way?
I am lucky to be a special education teacher. I get to teach in one-on one or small group settings. I get to teach kids who don’t learn like other kids. I get to try many different techniques to find the one that works the best for each student’s individual learning style. I find that the more creative I make my lessons, the better the kids understand and retain it and want to be involved. Is it more time consuming? Yes. Can it be messy? Yes. Is it more fun than a scripted program? Yes. Do the kids enjoy it? Most do. I find the kids that have not been exposed to this type of teaching have a difficult time with it. They don’t know how to do it. They want to know what will be expected of them. Free form is not something they are used to. But it should be. We need to bring creativity back into school. We need to have the kids see that there is more to life than Xbox, Nintendo and TV. We need them to use all parts of their brain. We need to put creativity back into the curriculum.
Has creativity left the school building? Did it check out? In our quest to increase test scores what are some areas that were left out or behind? Creativity? Imagination? Play? Fun?
Although it is not a tested area, creativity plays a vital role in our lives. Creativity is part of what makes us –us. Long before days of Xbox, PlayStation, Wii and Atari, we had to be creative on finding our own fun. Our toys were made of rugged or natural materials and with them we had adventures that could keep us going from sun- up to sundown for days. Kids are not like that today. What is killing it? TV? Technology? Standardized testing?
In school, we had arts education every week. With this, we explored different art mediums and created something tangible that we could take home and hang on the refrigerator. As a teen, I noticed that art took on the shape of art class where we made tile art, decoupage (it was the 70’S!) and lots of line and art drawings. I also took a metals class where I created some cool jewelry with silverware. So, what about now? What kind of lessons do we give kids that inspire them to be creative? It seems that with standards, budget cuts and testing, the powers to be decided something had to go. So, they cut non-essential subjects such as art, music and P.E. But, is that the best plan of action? The Newsweek article states that when we are being creative we use divergent and convergent thinking to get the job done. How can that be a bad thing? Why do we take out the programs that require us to use our brain in a different way?
I am lucky to be a special education teacher. I get to teach in one-on one or small group settings. I get to teach kids who don’t learn like other kids. I get to try many different techniques to find the one that works the best for each student’s individual learning style. I find that the more creative I make my lessons, the better the kids understand and retain it and want to be involved. Is it more time consuming? Yes. Can it be messy? Yes. Is it more fun than a scripted program? Yes. Do the kids enjoy it? Most do. I find the kids that have not been exposed to this type of teaching have a difficult time with it. They don’t know how to do it. They want to know what will be expected of them. Free form is not something they are used to. But it should be. We need to bring creativity back into school. We need to have the kids see that there is more to life than Xbox, Nintendo and TV. We need them to use all parts of their brain. We need to put creativity back into the curriculum.
Do I need a face lift?
The likely reason for decline in US creativity is stated to probably include the abundant amount of hours children spend watching television and playing video games, rather than being engaging in creative activities. Another reason that was stated was the lack of creativity development in our schools. Basically it said that we are not nurturing creativity out of all children.
Why are teachers not being “creative” in class, we don’t have time. At least that is what we are blaming it on. Are we really trying to fit too much in, teach too much and not allow for creativity? Have we taken the creativity out of the students in the fact that we are basing too much on tests scores, on standardized multiple choice questions…would our students be more creative with more inquiry based problems and higher thinking questions? I will argue that you can teach the standards but be creative with your assessments. This is an area that I can work on; I am just as guilty as the next. We get accustomed and comfortable with what we have been doing, because it was working or didn’t want to change…I just need to remember that it is ok to change, or liven things up a bit. I don’t need to recreate the wheel, but giving things a face lift can be a good thing, makes you feel uplifted.
I do not doubt that the over use of video games and watching a huge amount of television is not helping the creativity of students. It is like most things though, don’t worry about what you can’t control and do something about the things you can. I can control how I approach teaching and being creative within my classroom and with assessments. Many other teachers need to ask themselves, “Do I need a face lift?”
Why are teachers not being “creative” in class, we don’t have time. At least that is what we are blaming it on. Are we really trying to fit too much in, teach too much and not allow for creativity? Have we taken the creativity out of the students in the fact that we are basing too much on tests scores, on standardized multiple choice questions…would our students be more creative with more inquiry based problems and higher thinking questions? I will argue that you can teach the standards but be creative with your assessments. This is an area that I can work on; I am just as guilty as the next. We get accustomed and comfortable with what we have been doing, because it was working or didn’t want to change…I just need to remember that it is ok to change, or liven things up a bit. I don’t need to recreate the wheel, but giving things a face lift can be a good thing, makes you feel uplifted.
I do not doubt that the over use of video games and watching a huge amount of television is not helping the creativity of students. It is like most things though, don’t worry about what you can’t control and do something about the things you can. I can control how I approach teaching and being creative within my classroom and with assessments. Many other teachers need to ask themselves, “Do I need a face lift?”
Whats Creativity Got to Do With it?
When, Matt first mentioned the title of this article, I found myself wondering is there really a creativity crisis? The article made some really good points about why creativity is disappearing. I think the biggest cause is amount of time in a day children use technology and what type of technology they use. I teach computer classes so, I am for technology. But kids, need to be able to put technology down and use their imaginations. It seems that many kids (and adults for that matter) simply want answers in the fastest way possible. They don’t want to have to think or solve problems. Some students were talking in my room toward the end of school this year about completing a science worksheet. One student told the other to just “Google the questions” to find the answers. I asked why you don’t use your book. He said it was faster to type the exact question in Google. Is this a form of creativity or are the students just being lazy?
I see creativity every day when teaching Yearbook and other classes where students are to design different elements of the book. We also create posters of the school activities which are hung on a wall by the office for the entire school to see. Many students simply want to create something fast using no to very little creativity and be done. It is only after some gentle persuasion and the realization that, I am not going accept their first attempt, do they do something creative. If I can get the student to understand that creativity often takes time and usually multiple attempts before something works, then they are less reluctant try something new/different. They do end up creating some really neat materials ounce they get over the fear of failure.Shark Tank
I had a discussion with someone recently about where my true allegiances lie: Britain or the US. They insinuated I couldn’t have pride and patriotism for both countries. Truth is, I do and feel I have the advantage from both perspectives to recognize what makes each country truly unique. The US lives up to its reputation of being a country of opportunity and creativity. Just look at American TV, while some shows reflect a lack of creativity (Swamp loggers, really?), there are others like “Shark Tank” that are a platform for creativity and a vehicle to show off what is truly a part of US culture and identity. Shark Tank is not only a popular source of entertainment; it shows how exceptional Americans are when it comes to creativity and entrepreneurship. There is clearly a reason why China wants to emulate our educational system, in hopes of nurturing these creative genes in the classroom. It has a huge impact on the economy and the products that role out of American companies. What is the US response? Let’s emulate China and pave the way towards conformity by passing educational reforms that standardize and undermine creativity. I believe it’s killing a part of US identity and will have a detrimental impact on our future economy to boot.
If we continue on this path to restructuring our educational system to become more rote learning, and shy away from inquiry, problem solving and ‘thinking outside the box’, what will the ramifications be down the road? In future decades, will we see a drop in US patents, inventions, and great TV shows/advertisements? I hate to think what the world would become without creativity. Instead of “Phish Food” we’ll all be just Vanilla. Creativity is the spice of life that gives us a sense of unpredictability and excitement at what people can come up with next. If we don’t keep fostering this sense of creativity and valuing its role in American culture, and identity, then it will start translating into some pretty boring products in the future. We may be boring, but at least we’ll maybe have higher rankings internationally for student achievement
If we continue on this path to restructuring our educational system to become more rote learning, and shy away from inquiry, problem solving and ‘thinking outside the box’, what will the ramifications be down the road? In future decades, will we see a drop in US patents, inventions, and great TV shows/advertisements? I hate to think what the world would become without creativity. Instead of “Phish Food” we’ll all be just Vanilla. Creativity is the spice of life that gives us a sense of unpredictability and excitement at what people can come up with next. If we don’t keep fostering this sense of creativity and valuing its role in American culture, and identity, then it will start translating into some pretty boring products in the future. We may be boring, but at least we’ll maybe have higher rankings internationally for student achievement
Creatively Lazy
Creativity is an interesting topic to discuss because it means different things to so many people. It seems in our culture creativity is most noted when it is highly marketable. So, creative, divergent, expressive thought is most evident when it can connect to the way the majority of consumers in an audience think. Creativity is then something that perhaps not all can possess but will resonate with many.
The idea of fostering creativity in the classroom is an interesting concept too. We may be able to really make creativity the forefront of our lessons, do those same creative lessons generate creative thought in our students. For example, Matt’s class assignment involving us writing a manifesto is very creative. I have never been asked to do this before…you? But will this creative assignment necessarily produce creativity in us, his students? Time will tell.
I think U.S. creativity is a wonderful thing to hang our hat on. I find it hard to believe that there really could a creativity crisis. Mostly, I think it is unlikely because Americans seem to be the only ones that have the time to sit and dream up creative thoughts. Sometimes, creativity and innovation border on laziness, another market I believe we are controlling. To prove that innovation, laziness, and creativity are alive and well, (no real crisis) I am going to insert this comic into my posting…first to do so I believe. There are 38 words in the comic (Matt if you are counting). By the end of this sentence that should give me enough for 300 words exactly.
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