Release the Creativity!!!

Holland, B., McCusker, S., and Robinson, A. (2015, April 29). “Unleashing student creativity.” [YouTube]. Project: Webinar. Retrieved from http://edtechteacher.org/15spring3/

What is the secret to unleashing student creativity? According to the presenters, this largely hinges on allowing choice in education. However, teachers also need to look for ways to infuse creativity in their classrooms so that students aren’t overwhelmed by these choices. The goal is to expose students to a variety of mediums in regards to projects and assessments, and technology can only enhance student creativity exploration. A big takeaway from this webinar was the concept of mindfulness in the classroom, to create a culture of creativity where students feel comfortable pushing the educational boundaries to really enhance their learning.

I explored the app Seesaw in an earlier technology review, and I’d really like to use this tool in conjunction with creativity in my classroom. The question I’ve often posed to myself is how to address content standards in creative ways that will keep students engaged? It’s an interesting concept to get students to think outside the box or go outside their comfort zone, but I think it can yield extraordinary results if given the opportunity. The video itself gave an example of using a Padlet wall in Creative Writing story rounds, which I would like to implement in my own Creative Writing classes.