Blog - Page 26 of 50 - Spencer Education

Nov 11 2019

Seven Ways to Crush Self-Doubt in Creative Work

By John Spencer Creativity, Creativity Deconstructed 9 Comments

In a few days, I get to move into my new office. Next to the whiteboard, there's a large blank area that would be perfect for a painting. I have a concept of what I'd like to paint. It's a composite of these two pictures…

Nov 05 2019

How Student Journals Can Spark Curiosity and Inspire Creativity in the Classroom

By John Spencer Creativity, Creativity Deconstructed, Podcast 5 Comments

When I was in the fifth grade, I kept a journal for class. My teacher would give us fifteen minutes to write whatever we wanted. I pretty much only wrote about baseball -- and the Giants, in particular. For me, those fifteen minutes felt like…

Oct 28 2019

The Goal of Education Isn’t Simply a Better Job

By John Spencer Creativity, Podcast 3 Comments

Before I went to Hong Kong, people would ask me, "What about the protests?" and I almost always answered with "I hear you can avoid those." And that statement is absolutely true. The beauty of living in a pluralistic democracy is the freedom to avoid…

Oct 14 2019

It Might Be Hands-on Learning, But Is It Minds-on Learning?

By John Spencer Creativity, Podcast One Comment

It was the first Friday of the first week of my first year as a teacher and I was determined to have students engage in a hands-on learning activity. My students were going to solidify their understanding of the five themes of geography by creating…

Oct 07 2019

7 Ways UX Design Theory Transformed My Approach to Course Design

By John Spencer Creativity, Design Thinking 7 Comments

UX Design Theory can teach us a lot about how to build community, communicate clearly, and set up effective systems as we design our courses. The following is an exploration 8 ways UX Design Theory can change the way we teach. What Is UX…

Sep 23 2019

Five Ways Teachers Can Limit the Fear of Creative Failure

By John Spencer Creativity 2 Comments

I'm sitting at my computer right now clenching my fist. I would love to say that the problem is external - that some outside person is getting in the way of my creative work. I'd love to say that I just don't have enough time…

Sep 16 2019

Five Ways Humor Boosts Creative Thinking and Problem-Solving in the Classroom

By John Spencer Creativity Deconstructed, Podcast 13 Comments

When we think about creativity and innovation, the words "humor" and "goofiness" don't typically come to mind. But I'd argue that this is a critical piece of what it means to cultivate a climate of creativity. Listen to the Podcast If you enjoy this blog…

Sep 09 2019

Students Are Often Terrified About Launching Their Work. Here’s How We Can Fix It.

By John Spencer Design Thinking, Podcast One Comment

Picture this. I’m standing up front at the front of the class, an awkward high school freshman new to Arizona. I'm shy. Painfully shy. I don't know anyone in my class. Every part of me wants to crawl up into a ball and hide. The…

Aug 20 2019

10 Things That Happen When Students Engage in Project-Based Learning

By John Spencer Creativity, Project-Based Learning 12 Comments

We often hear about the need for students to learn how to program in order to be ready for STEM fields and the Information Economy. It’s what we’ve been hearing for over a decade. However, there’s a fascinating piece from the Washington Post that explores…

Aug 13 2019

Why Trust Is Vital to Peer Feedback

By John Spencer Creativity, Podcast, Project-Based Learning 7 Comments

I still remember a moment in my fifth year of teaching when I invited my colleague, Javier, to observe a lesson I was teaching. "Colleague" doesn't quite describe it. Javi and I ran a project-based service learning together. We developed a fully tech-integrated curriculum together…