Can Technology Allow Opportunities for Creativity?

This is a challenging question. I do believe technology can open many doors for creativity in our students. There are some aspects of technology that enhance play and offer unique learning opportunities for creativity, while others can be not as helpful. 

The videos were very effective in pointing out how crucial creativity it is to recognize and encourage creativity in the students we teach. Instead of pushing the "core" subjects in our classes, we should be holding subjects such as music, art, dance, and physical education as equally important. Each individual student in our class will have a different skill set and will excel in their own way. We need to recognize the strengths of our students and be sure to interpret them as important and valuable. 

Researchers have been tracking children's creativity for over 50 years and are discovering a significant decrease in creativity among children for the first time, especially younger children in kindergarten through sixth grade. Researchers believe this could be due to the large decline of play. However, research has also proven that worldwide, children are very creative with their digital media. In the limited play time that students seem to have these days, their play has in fact become more imaginative (Rachael Rettne, 2011). It seems to me that if we can find a balance between the amount of time students are spending on their technological devices in class and their play time, we will see greater positive outcomes in their creativity. 

It has been argued that play for students is a significant creative process that fosters emotional health, imagination, original thinking, problem solving, critical thinking, and self-regulation. When they play with materials, children are building a foundation for understanding concepts and skills that form the basis for later academic learning. I think students can also benefit from these creative processes through using technological devices. As a student I wasn't a great artist. I couldn't draw, paint, or come up with creative ideas during art class. If I had been given the chance to use a technological device to create for example a collage of clip art with drawings, I would have finally been able to excel in art class! Technology gives students a chance to be fearless when it comes to art. It also gives students an opportunity to erase their work, use clip art, use programs with built in paint brushes etc. There's an incredible app for students who need extra confidence with their skills in art. The name of this app is Unleash Creativity and is designed for everyone who needs to unleash the creative potential they have. 

The website below gives educators the Top 10 Great iPad Apps to Enhance Student Creativity

http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2013/02/10-great-ipad-apps-to-enhance-students.html

Creative Whack Pack

Clear

Mind Tools

Evernote

Oflow - Filled with over 120 proven tips on how to be more creative. You can flag, browse, and email all of your favorites. Plus create, save, and share ideas you have right from within the app.

Innovate

The Brainstorm

iBrainstormer

Behance

Download these for your students!!

Another website I found extremely useful is the following:

http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2012/11/10-pinterest-boards-every-teacher-must.html

This website has the top 10 pinterest boards for educators. It includes teaching resources, ways to incorporate technology well in the class etc. 

http://pinterest.com/medkharbach/ (this pinterest board needs to be followed by all of you teachers out there!!)

Fleith (2000) says that "in a climate in which fear, one right answer, little acceptance for a variety of students products, extreme levels of competition, and many extrinsic rewards are predominant, it is difficult to foster high levels of creativity." Through providing students with a variety of creativity tools on their technological devices, teachers are giving students a variety of ways to come across an answer and create a product using many different devices. Students who aren't confident with their art skills can finally develop their creativity with the use of technology and its tools. 

There is an ongoing research experiment going on right now that is striving to create a way in which disabled students can create art through technology. The software being created recognizes the meaning, or intent, associated with eye-movements, enabling the software to work with the user, presenting design variants which are increasingly optimal over successive presentations. This technology will allow disabled students to do something they currently can't do. This program is currently named the "dinosaur drawing" program. It will allow students the ability to draw and create art. It's pretty amazing that technology is allowing students with disabilities to be able to showcase their talent.  

Overall, I do believe that technology can allow for opportunities for creativity, especially for those students who couldn't necessarily use their potentially creative side in the first place!

The article I referenced above: http://www.nbcnews.com/id/44121819/ns/technology_and_science-science/t/are-todays-youth-less-creative-imaginative/#.URv6LaWsiSo

Kids + Computers = Cognitive Growth?

I would like to pose a question to Educators: 

What do you think children can learn from using computers in an informal collaborative setting? Come up with some ideas before scrolling down. 

I found a study online which explores the ways in which learning to master educational computer programs can promote problem-solving transfer. The study revealed that children who use educational software may learn content knowledge about computer literacy, comprehension skills for understanding instructions, planning skills for learning new games, and some basic academic skills.

This study consisted of:

Elementary school children, often from low-income homes. The program took place after school hours and was not associated with the child's school. Participation was voluntary and there was no traditional teacher-student structure. In the program, there were many opportunities for writing and creative expression.Students wrote messages to a mythical Wizard using a word processor and received written responses. Collaborative learning took place when children worked together or with adult mentors called Wizard's Assistants.

There was an opportunity for students with extensive experience to achieve the status of Young Assistant to the Wizard.

The researchers sought out to answer the question: Does learning to use computers--or more specifically, learning to use educational software on computers--improve a child's mind?

The researchers gave results in four main categories: Effects of Computer Experience on Computer Literacy, Effects of Computer Experience on Comprehension Skills, Effects of Computer Experience on Game-Playing Skills, and Effects of Computer Experience on Academic Skills

A few of the interesting results were:

• solid evidence that experience in an educational computing environment results in gains in specific computer knowledge
• students may learn specific facts and procedures that are relevant to operating computers
• Overall, across three different measures of language comprehension skill, students who had figured out how to use a wide variety of educational computer games tended to have developed better comprehension skills than equivalent students who had not learned to play educational computer games
• Learning to use educational software--particularly a wide variety of educational games--may help students develop effective problem-solving strategies
• students who are exposed to a wide variety of educational computing experiences develop skill in comprehension and planning that can transfer to new situations
• students who had extensive computer experience outscored their peers on improvement over their prior year's score on both reading and mathematics achievement
• participation in an educational computing environment results in far transfer--that is, in learning that goes beyond simple retention of specific computer facts and procedures

These results show the numerous benefits of computer use for our students and the ways in which their computer knowledge can help them in other academic subjects and skill sets. Experience with technology seems to encourage important cognitive changes in children. The fact that educational technology can assist students with comprehending written instructions, devising problem-solving techniques, and improving their academic skills is quite impressive! We as teachers need to realize that there are different ways to work on improving the skills of our students, technology is a useful, fun way in which to do this!!

To find the full study, search here:

http://www.education.miami.edu/blantonw/5dclhse/publications/tech/mayer_schustak_blanton.html

Tech Tools for Every Classroom

Hello,

As educators in classrooms today we need to stay up to date with the technology available to us as teachers. If used properly, these tools can allow us to provide an interesting way for our students to learn. Teachers need to stay up to date with the newest tools and apps available to their students.

Studies show that students who use their smartphones as study devices study more often and more efficiently. They are three times likely to track their studying progress! We should use the tools students are bringing to schools to improve skills such as studying. Every teacher should develop different tech tools to make their job and connecting with students a little bit easier. There are a few websites that teachers need to be aware of. These include:

Khan Academy: a website that has an excellent collection of math, science, and finance lectures and quizzes to supplement their classroom materials.

Google earth: a great site for students to use when learning geography. Googledocs is a great way to upload documents for students to see. Artciles and journals can be found using google scholar.

LiveBinders: This site replicates a real-life three ring binder, this tech tool allows you to collect and organize resources. Much better than a binder, however, the site also comes with tools to connect and collaborate and a virtual whiteboard.

Youtube: Every teacher should be implementing this website into their classroom. Teachers can find a variety of videos that will assist them with any classroom subject. Youtube videos are a great way to introduce a topic. BBC is a great channel to follow.

Prezi: Every teacher should also be aware of this site in order to wow their students‼ It adds a creative dimension to traditional PowerPoint presentations.

In many classrooms today, schools are using funding to provide students with Ipads. There are a variety of ipad apps useful for both students and teachers. Some of these apps include:

·         Evernote: allows you to create and organize notes, outlines, lesson plans, etc. in one place

·         Drop Box: an easy and effective tool to share and synch files from your mobile device

·         Mobile Mouse Pro: turns your mobile device into a remote control for your interactive whiteboard and computer

·         Eduteacher:  puts the best online tools and reviews of educational websites right on your mobile device

·         Attendance: choose a class, add a new date, and check off which students are present, absent, or late.

·         Gradepad: allows users to evaluate students on the go

·         iScheduleFinder: provides access to student information without having to call the front office

·         Hot seat for Teachers: makes learning students' names easier at the beginning of the school year by matching pictures with names

·         Skype: What better way for you and your students to communicate with colleagues from around the world, free-of-charge?

·         How Stuff Works: student stump you with a question? Look up the answer at your convenience with this app.

·         Quick Graph: a free graphing calculator that allows you to plot up to three equations simultaneously

·         TeacherKit: upload all of your classrooms and students. Keep track of  attendance, grades, and behaviour. Plan your class desk arrangement by moving desks around.

Smartboards are also great interactive tools for the class! In order to incorporate computer use in the classroom, teachers should also encourage students to create interactive posters, create digital stories, and design podcasts. A forum is a great way to allow communication within the class.

Teachers should share their technology tools with each other in order to discover new ways for student learning. This link provides many ways in which to incorporate the tools above. Take a look!

http://www.slideshare.net/sandrapintopires/12-essential-techy-tools

Two Standards Vital to My Goals As a Teacher

Hello,

This week we were required to read the ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) document. It described the standards for educators in how to improve teaching by using technology in the classroom effectively. The document covered five different strands.

The first strand that is meaningful to me is to facilitate and inspire student learning and creativity. With this strand, teachers can use their wisdom of subjects, teaching, learning, and technology to create experiences that further student learning and creativity in different environments. Some ways in which teachers can implement these ideas include:

•  Encouraging and supporting creative thinking and inventiveness
• Creating situations in which students can explore real-world issues and solve problems using digital tools
•  Emphasizing reflection by using collaborative tools to help students reflect on their  understanding

Teachers need to create a classroom environment where students aren't afraid to take risks. Students should be comfortable to try new approaches in their learning. This is why looking at real world issues can help student to change their perspectives and provide them with a deeper appreciation for what they are learning. There is a wide range of technological tools available for us to use in order to keep our students interested and up to date. Teachers need to use whatever students find to be helpful to them in reaching their learning goals. Students can use digital media and environments to communicate and work. They can use their critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, organize projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using digital tools and resources. 

The second strand which I find important is professional growth and leadership. It is important that as teachers, we are constantly looking for ways to improve our practices. Teaching is a journey in which we can continually grow. There are always new ideas we can incorporate into our classrooms and there are always areas in which we can grow. We should look for additional courses and ideas from others to improve our teaching strategies. It is important to be up to date with current ideas and methods of instruction in order to offer our students the best chance of reaching their full potential. This is why incorporating technological use in the class is so important‼

Ways in which to ensure professional growth and leadership:

•  Each time you find a great technology tip or resource for an upcoming theme, lesson, or unit, you are contributing to the knowledge available to your school’s learning community.
•  Show your leadership by displaying a vision of technology incorporation by participating in community building and developing the technology skills of others

o   Each time you use a technology tool, you are opening the doors to new ideas for your colleagues. If you are successful with your new tool, your co-workers will likely try a similar strategy in their own classrooms.

•  Reflect on current research and professional practice on a regular basis to make use of emerging digital tools and resources for student learning

o   Discover a blog about a new technology strategy and show it to your co-workers and try the strategy in your class. Ask your students what they thought of the new technology.

This was a very useful article which allowed me to reflect on how important it is to continue to professionally grow as a teacher. Every educator should know these strands and be aware of which strands contribute to their teaching philosophy and teaching goals. 

An Introduction

Hello Everyone!

My name is Stephanie Brouwer. I am currently in my final year at Redeemer University College in the Concurrent Education Program. I graduated from Redeemer in 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts with an English major and Physical Education/Psychology minor. The month after graduating, I got married! I met Richard Brouwer at Redeemer, while both playing varsity soccer. My husband also graduated from Redeemer with a Bachelor of Education and we both wanted to do some travelling before finishing up my final year at Redeemer. We researched a little and decided to move to South Korea for one year to teach English as a Second Language. What an amazing experience! We both taught in different public schools and taught children from grades 1-6. The students were very excited to have a blonde, green eyed teacher from Canada and couldn't wait to get to know me through their Korean, English speaking teacher. I taught in a low-income area of Daejeon and the students couldn't afford to take too many extra English classes. Therefore, they could not understand a lot of English. With the help of my co-teacher I was able to teach and have full conversations with further advanced students. The students always seemed to very interested in taking English classes from a foreign English teacher and always had questions for me. It was quite the experience, adjusting to a new culture and trying to communicate all year long with many people who could speak very little English. I loved learning new things about the culture each day, eating different food, and above all else...teaching!! My husband and I also visited Thailand on our winter vacation and had an incredible time. My interests include playing sports, singing, and spending time with friends. 

Here are some pictures of me teaching in SK as well as Thailand. 

My areas of interest in education include the role of creative arts in the class as well as the role of daily physical activity in the classroom. I believe both of these are components of education that often become ignored or pushed aside when it comes to fulfilling other subjects. I think creative arts play a huge role in education and are a way in which students can showcase their talents as well as improve their attention in other subjects. Daily physical education is also very important because not enough children are getting the daily exercise they need outside of school and this is essential to their health. 

I am taking this course because I don't believe I am technologically inclined enough to include a variety of different computer tools to strengthen my classroom practices. I hope to learn ways in which to appeal to student's interests and abilities through using technology. I also hope to learn useful resources that I can share with them to further their learning. 

I believe educators should use technology in education because there's no getting away from it. Technology plays a huge part in the daily lives of our students and we need to be familiar with what our students are interested in. However, it has to be integrated effectively if it is going to make a difference in the way teachers teach and students learn. 
The website below identifies six essential technology-related skills every good teacher should possess -- or acquire. The website below it has numerous resources and articles regarding technology in education. 

http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech227.shtml
http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech227.shtml

I also believe teachers have a responsibility to prepare students for today's society. If teachers aren't using technology in the classroom, they clearly aren't fully preparing students properly.