This blog was created to poke, prod and hopefully inspire individuals to reflect on current practice, dream about future possibilities, and be willing to share their thoughts and ideas. This blog is called “Big Ideas” because it is not meant to be a place to discuss the minutia or every day details of operating a school district, but rather be a gathering spot to share our hopes and desires about what we want learning to be for our students. It is my hope that by sharing these "big ideas," we not only will learn from each other in a respectful way, but keep Mid-Prairie and Keota at the leading edge.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Randy Rodgers on Creativity


Short video about creativity.  Does creativity get short-changed?  In what ways do you or would you like to develop student creativity and higher levels of learning in the classroom?  What can the school district do to help you?

If the video doesn't appear, this is the url: http://bit.ly/gfWQqU

Thanks, Beth, for the video idea.
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2 comments:

  1. UnknownFebruary 28, 2011 at 12:10 PM

    For an interesting take on this issue,read "Catching Up or Leading the Way" by Yong Zhao. To summarize, he argues that as the US moves to a more test-driven system, where we want kids to do well on standardized tests (as the Chinese system was and mostly still is), the Chinese are looking at reforms that would move their education system to more of what we (used to?) value- individuality, creativity, problem solving skills, so that China can become a nation of inventors and innovators, not just workers who build and make what other people create. I try to find time for creativity when and where I can. It may just be talking with students about how they used the math I am teaching in shop, ag, or FCAS classes, or in "real life". I post articles about the intersection of math and art- for instance on my bulletin board I have a short article from the Smithsonian Magazine about volunteers who crocheted a coral reef- and it describes the frills and edges used as examples of various mathematical models for ideas that are very difficult to visualize and capture in 2-D. Creativity is critical for students to use and demonstrate higher order thinking skills.

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  2. AnonymousMarch 1, 2011 at 10:03 AM

    Creativity is a very important part of a student's education. Fine Arts play an important part in helping to develop creativity. Music classes give students an opportunity to express themselves in a variety of ways - not just in singing, but in moving, playing instruments and responding to music. Art classes offer a variety of ways for students to display their creativity as well. It is important to keep this curriculum strong at all levels of students' education.

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