Blog - Page 5 of 46 - John Spencer

Jan 22 2024

Sam Marsden on the Value of Improv Games to Spark Creative Thinking

By John Spencer Creativity, Podcast No Comments

In my latest podcast episode, I interview Samantha Marsden, who shares how drama and improve strategies can help students gain creative confidence, improve their communication skills, and engage in iterative thinking. Her new book Acting Games for Improv is out and I highly recommend it.…

Jan 13 2024

Ian Clawson on the Power of Co-Creation and Creativity

By John Spencer Creativity, Podcast No Comments

In this week's podcast episode, I talk to Ian Clawson about creative collaboration. In this interview, I ask him about tools for co-creation and what it looks like to create a culture where people give one another vital creative feedback. He has a book he…

Jan 09 2024

7 Tips for Getting Started with Student Choice in the Classroom

By John Spencer Empowering Students, Podcast, Student Choice 5 Comments

Our students will inhabit an unpredictable world. With machine learning and other advanced forms of AI, students will need to become really good at what AI can't do and really different with what can do. They will need to be adaptable as they navigate the…

Jan 05 2024

Betsy Potash Shares How to Use Hexagonal Thinking to Improve Discussions

By John Spencer Creativity, Podcast One Comment

In this episode, Betsy Potash shares how to use hexagonal thinking to improve classroom discussions. She walks you through some of the potential applications at various grade levels with different subject areas. Listen to the Podcast If you enjoy this blog but you’d like to…

Dec 14 2023

12 Ways to End the Semester on a Creative Note

By John Spencer Creativity One Comment

Let's just put it out there. December is exhausting for teachers. The days are shorter. The weather grows colder and (at least here in Oregon) wetter. Students are anxious -- whether it's a buzzing excitement for vacation or a sense of dread that some kids feel in…

Dec 06 2023

Getting Started with Student Portfolio Projects

By John Spencer Authentic Assessment, Podcast, Project-Based Learning 15 Comments

When I was a senior in high school, our AP Government teacher chose not to give us a final exam for the end of the first semester. Instead, we would create our own portfolios. Our portfolios had to include what we had learned and what…

Nov 28 2023

Beyond the Audience: Why Students Need to Embrace Self-Initiated Creativity

By John Spencer Creativity, Podcast One Comment

I've often written about the power of a launch. However, there's also a place for self-initiated creative work where students engage in creativity with an "audience of one." Here, they experience the permission to try experiment and work through multiple iterations. They find their creative…

Nov 02 2023

Ten Surprising Truths About Creativity

By John Spencer Creativity 4 Comments

While we tend to think of play as spontaneous, I've learned that I need to schedule longer extended periods of creative play. I put these dates on my calendar weeks in advance and treat them like a work meeting or a training. No matter how…

Oct 26 2023

Cara Zelas on SEL, Emotional Support Dogs, and the Big World of Little Dude

By John Spencer Podcast, Teacher Life No Comments

In this week's episode I interview Cara Zelas, the founder of Big World of Little Dude. Together we explore the crucial topics of emotional support dogs in schools, social-emotional learning, and enhancing student soft skills. Join us as we delve into practical strategies and the…

Oct 22 2023

The FACTS Cycle for Prompt Engineering

By John Spencer Artificial Intelligence, Creativity, Podcast 4 Comments

Over the last year, I've had the opportunity to work with educators who are incorporating generative A.I. into their classroom practice. Whether it's working with the pre-service teachers at my university or in working with current teachers in the workshops and professional development I lead,…