"Creativity is as important as literacy" –– Sir Ken Robinson
"It is important to realize how much technology has dramatically changed the learning environment over the past generation alone." –– Cantù
My head and heart were swimming after these two chapters! At the beginning of chapter six it was inspiring and interesting. Near the end of the chapter six I was feeling oppressed and overwhelmed. What is ISTE, and who gave them the right to attempt to foist their standards upon today's educators!!How are we as teachers supposed to attend to so many competing standards and methods?! Content–primary, secondary, engaging, standards focused, Lesson Plans–simple, sequential, brain-based, social, metacognitive, Standards–state, national, ISTE, Common Core, all while incorporating technology, student-centered, collaborative, creative, 21st-Century methods that are culturally diverse, socially sensitive, differentiated, inclusive, challenging and relevant!! For the sake of focus, let me reflect on this weeks topics of creativity and technology integration.
The speakers who talked about creativity sparked my imagination and stretched my paradigm of public education. I have heard of the idea that public education was implemented to create and train people to be good citizens and employees. I had never heard someone in an educational capacity clearly lay it out. yet, here I am nearing the end of my preparatory training to become a professional teacher, what am I supposed to do with this knowledge? Sir Ken Robinson asked the question, "Do schools kill creativity?" I think a fair assessment is general is yes, they do. School curricula is not created to cultivate creative thinking near as much as it it to create a common understanding and base of knowledge. The argument that is not taken up is whether this is wrong or not, it is assumed to be.
The chapter on integrating technology was less frustrating for me content-wise. Yet, it was a bit overwhelming for me because of the sheer volume of digital platforms available for the modern educator. I am still working on proficiency in my content domain and delivery method. Now I am having to think about how to use technology. Following is a list of a few digital platforms that I think I will actually use regularly as a teacher:
• Timetoast Timeline Creator- This can be real handy for creating an heuristic
• Netvibes- Very cool. I am going to set-up an account very soon, helpful professionally and personally
• Google Docs
• Educational Wiki- I have used wetpaint before
• Wurdle Wordcloud- Another good way to identify key themes in passages in a visual way
• Jing- Looks like a great way to pull info off the internet, and put it into a format that can be used in other platforms, i.e.: Ppt, Prezi, blog, wiki, etc.
• Prezi- Already use it now
• Rubistar- With a greater need to do formative and summative assessments, rubistar appears to be a great resource
Big Question: As teachers, and only beginners at that, with there being a greater stress than ever on standards and student achievement, and less public monies for programs, how can we affect educational reform that focuses on incorporating less "important" subjects and encouraging creativity ? As a theory it sounds grand, as a reality is it even possible?
Source: http://www.slideshare.net/fleep513/opensim-a-new-alternative-to-second-life
This is an interactive link to stir up student creativity.
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