Creativity Archives - Page 19 of 24

Oct 14 2017

Ten Things Pixar Can Teach Us About Creativity

By John Spencer Creative Collaboration, Creativity 2 Comments

For the last two decades, Pixar has produced some of the most creative and epic films of this era. But this is the result of a culture of creative collaboration built on ideas of being frank, taking chances, and failing forward. So, what can educators…

Oct 07 2017

Helping Introverts Thrive in Collaborative Projects

By John Spencer Creative Collaboration, Creativity One Comment

We know collaboration is important but it's easy for introverts to get lost in the shuffle. So, how do we honor introverts' identity and build on their hidden strengths and we engage in collaborative projects? Collaboration Isn't Working for Introverts I don't enjoy most collaborative…

Sep 16 2017

Collaborative Projects Can Work in Any Subject

By John Spencer Creative Collaboration, Creativity, Podcast, Project-Based Learning 10 Comments

If we say we want students to become critical thinking life-long learners, we need to provide projects that encourage them to engage in creative collaboration. But what does this look like in each subject area? How do turn this idea into a reality? We'll be…

Aug 26 2017

6 Student-Centered Projects for the First Week of School

By John Spencer Creativity, Empowering Students, Podcast 10 Comments

Don't Wait to Innovate! Teachers often begin the school year with team-building activities or a review of the rules and procedures. But what if we began with student-centered projects? The following is an exploration of six student-centered projects you can launch in your first month…

Aug 21 2017

On Eclipse Day: 5 Ways Natural Wonders Make Us More Creative

By John Spencer Creativity One Comment

In a few hours, we will begin observing the eclipse. No handouts. No close reading exercises. Just a bunch of families in the neighborhood gathering together to break bread, eat bacon, and then see the shadows change and the stars appear and the temperature drop.…

Aug 04 2017

Because of Teachers (A Short Tribute Video)

By John Spencer Creativity, Teacher Life 4 Comments

I consider myself incredibly fortunate to work with pre-service teachers who will enter the classroom in the next few years. Teachers are awesome. So, with that in mind, the following is a video I created as a back-to-school video. You can check it out on…

Jul 31 2017

Turning Problems into Solutions

By John Spencer Creativity, Creativity Deconstructed 2 Comments

When teachers view themselves as systems architects, they are able to view potential problems as design challenges. What I Learned from Watching People on a Plane Yesterday, on a flight from Portland to Minneapolis, the flight attendant asked the passengers to check their seats…

Jul 21 2017

What do maker projects look like in each subject area?

By John Spencer Creativity, Design Thinking, Makerspaces 4 Comments

If you're interested in designing your own makerspace, check out the Makerspace Master Course. It’s a self-paced, week-long course that you can do from anywhere at any time. Making Can Happen in Every Subject Recently a friend of mine said, "When I think of makerspaces,…

Jul 16 2017

The 3 Big Mistakes I Made When Trying to Design a Makerspace

By John Spencer Creativity, Makerspaces 3 Comments

I first heard of makerspaces over a decade ago. It was around 2005, not long after Make Magazine came out and people were talking about things like fab labs and maker faires. It was a part of the do-it-yourself culture that I found intriguing, even if I…

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

Ten Things Pixar Can Teach Us About Creativity

Helping Introverts Thrive in Collaborative Projects

Collaborative Projects Can Work in Any Subject

6 Student-Centered Projects for the First Week of School

On Eclipse Day: 5 Ways Natural Wonders Make Us More Creative

Because of Teachers (A Short Tribute Video)

Turning Problems into Solutions

What do maker projects look like in each subject area?

The 3 Big Mistakes I Made When Trying to Design a Makerspace

Dr. John Spencer

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Dr. John Spencer

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