It takes creativity to be able to provide time to focus on creativity within the classroom. Let me explain. All educators feel the demands, pressures, stresses, and pulls from local, state, and national mandates. Amidst the AYP, PSSA, IEP, and wide range of other acronyms, lies classroom teachers struggling to "fit it all in". "How is it possible?", I often hear colleagues complain. Like always, where there is a will, there is a way. And technology is that way. Now, technology for technologies sake does not solve any problems. However, once you've identified the problem and have a need, technologies can easily answer the "how can I fit it all in" question. The reality is that so long as educators devise systems that enable, not discourage, students to read, think, write, and create, our students have the potential and ambition to soar on their own. It's our job to get out of the way and stop being the kink in the hose.
One website that opens doors up for creativity is www.wikispaces.com For writing, check out the tools here: http://cogdogroo.wikispaces.com/ and http://www.kolabora.com/news/2007/03/01/collaborative_writing_tools_and_technology.htm Finally, for some great student applications try this: http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/web_20_backpack_web_apps_for_students.php
Good resources. I would like to hear how you would you use them to foster the creating mind with your students?
ReplyDeleteOne way would be through VoiceThread. After seeing what Traci demonstrated at PETE&C, this application can easily be used by students. Also, I like what Jason Ohler discussed with greenscreening...using technology to capture the interest but still focusing on the writing.
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