Blog - Page 18 of 50 - Spencer Education

May 18 2021

Getting Started with Content Curation in the Classroom

By John Spencer Creativity, Podcast, Technology and Media Literacy 38 Comments

Content curation is a vital part of the creative process. In this blog post and podcast, we explore why curation matters and how we can help students learn how to engage in the curation process. Listen to the Podcast If you enjoy this blog but…

May 10 2021

Manuel Herrera on how to make your thinking visible for deeper learning - picture of Manuel smiling

Manuel Herrera on How to Use Visual Thinking for Deeper Learning

By John Spencer Creativity, Podcast 2 Comments

In this latest podcast episode, I interview Manuel Herrera on the idea of visual thinking and how to make it a reality in the K-12 classroom. Manuel shares specific strategies and key insights to help you on your visual thinking and sketchnoting journey. Listen to…

May 04 2021

Geek Out Projects: My Approach to Genius Hour and 20% Time in the Language Arts Classroom

By John Spencer Creativity, Literacy, Podcast, Student Choice 8 Comments

There are so many different ways we can empower students to own the learning; from owning the assessment process to doing choice menus and choice boards to having students engage in project-based learning. In this article, we explore how Geek Out Blogs allow students to…

Apr 28 2021

How Do You Teach to the Standards When Doing Project-Based Learning?

By John Spencer Podcast, Project-Based Learning 11 Comments

It’s easy to remember the highlight reels of the project-based approach I used when I taught eighth grade. I think about the moment we finished our second mural and my students were so excited they started spontaneously cheering or the moment students asked thoughtful questions…

Apr 19 2021

Seven Myths Keeping Teachers from Implementing Creative Projects

By John Spencer Creativity, Podcast, Project-Based Learning 9 Comments

Every year, I ask my pedagogy students about their most memorable learning experience as a learner, whether it was in school or out in the "real world." Nearly every example involves a creative project. These were the moments when learning stuck and often it was…

Apr 12 2021

Clement Townsend on How Video Journalism Can Empower Students with Voice and Choice

By John Spencer Empowering Students, Literacy, Podcast 2 Comments

In this podcast episode, I interview Clement Townsend about the importance of journalism and multimedia composition in the classroom. Clement Townsend has valuable real-world experience in journalism as well as teaching and mentoring experience at the K-12 level. In this episode, he shares practical insights…

Apr 08 2021

Every Student Deserves Access to Project-Based Learning

By John Spencer Podcast, Project-Based Learning 7 Comments

Years ago, my friend Chad (who tragically passed away from cancer last year) started the 21st Century Classroom initiative in our district. Teachers would be part of six-person teams where they would attend professional development, receive state-of-the-art technology, and have a learning coach who would…

Mar 12 2021

Dr. Melissa Deutsch on the PBL Journey

By John Spencer Podcast, Project-Based Learning 2 Comments

Project-based learning can feel overwhelming. It can seem like an entire transformation in your teaching practice. However, it doesn't have to require a massive overhaul. Often, it's more like an evolution. In my latest podcast episode, I interview Dr. Melissa Deutsch about her PBL journey.…