Creativity Archives - Page 13 of 24

Jan 03 2020

Pre-Order Vintage Innovation and Get the Course for Free

By John Spencer Creativity No Comments

I have some great news! My newest book Vintage Innovation is officially open to pre-order! I'm offering a free course for anyone who pre-orders it. Scroll to the bottom for more details. This has been a labor of love over the last two years. I…

Dec 27 2019

The Power of a Mid-Year Reboot

By John Spencer Creativity, Empowering Students, Podcast No Comments

So, it's the beginning of the year and all around I'm hearing conversations about New Year's Resolutions. One friend is going Paleo, another is doing Cross Fit, and still, another has decided she's going to read 100 books in a year (which might be doable if you…

Dec 10 2019

Twelve Creative Alternatives to Showing Movies Before the Break

By John Spencer Creativity, Podcast 29 Comments

Don't forget to scroll down to the bottom of this post to download the Creative Ways to End the Semester Resource Pack. This is a post I first wrote a decade ago, when I was teaching middle school. Each year, I have revised it and…

Dec 03 2019

Designing Innovative Projects Despite the Time Crunch, the Curriculum Map, and the Lack of Technology

By John Spencer Creativity, Podcast, Vintage Innovation 4 Comments

This is my third article in the series on vintage innovation. Last week, I mentioned the Astrodome Effect and the idea of embracing both vintage tools and vintage designs in a mash-up with newer technology and new ideas. I mentioned Camden Yards as a place…

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 One Comment

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…

Dr. John Spencer

As a former middle school teacher and current full-time professor and best-selling author, I’m a big believer in empowering students (and teachers) through the power of creativity. Whether you sign up for one of my online courses, enroll in one of my cohorts or invite me to spend time with your staff, I promise you’ll walk away with a fresh perspective and new ideas to transform your classroom.

Creativity

Pre-Order Vintage Innovation and Get the Course for Free

The Power of a Mid-Year Reboot

Twelve Creative Alternatives to Showing Movies Before the Break

Designing Innovative Projects Despite the Time Crunch, the Curriculum Map, and the Lack of Technology

Seven Ways to Crush Self-Doubt in Creative Work

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

The Goal of Education Isn’t Simply a Better Job

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

7 Ways UX Design Theory Transformed My Approach to Course Design

Five Ways Teachers Can Limit the Fear of Creative Failure

Dr. John Spencer

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Dr. John Spencer

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