After I read the journal article, The Creative Spirit, and learned that imagination, creation-oriented,
and inter-disciplinary action are the characteristics which good instructional
designers embody in their lesson designs, I began to think about what a disservice
I have done my students by just being a “lesson planner.” Creative lesson designers
“truly design to extend understanding, [and] to create something new and
innovative.” What student wouldn’t rather learn using that type of lesson?!
Lessons designed to allow students to use their imagination,
create, and explore learning on their own rather than being fed the outcome in which
we want them to achieve are so much more powerful. The inter-disciplinary part
of the creative spirt allows students to collaborate with others who can add
their viewpoints and knowledge to enhance the overall learning. When the means
to the product can be discovered rather than directly taught, students can make
stronger background connections, which allows them to have a person interest in
the intended learning goal.
The video we created last class is the perfect example of
the creative spirit. As a group, we used our imaginations to create a recruitment
video for the Doodles program. We were given guidelines to follow, but we could
incorporate our creative ideas into the actual content of the video. Each
member of the group had their own expertise and knowledge to lend, which only enhanced
the outcome. We had to incorporate the six design principles into the script by
summarizing them to discuss the key points. By doing so, I was able to review,
connect, and see how they build on one another. The final video came out
awesome; exactly how my group had hoped.
I have found that all the activities we have completed in
class come full circle with what we are learning, even when I think that there
is no way the activity is relevant (Helping Don in Africa?!). I look forward to
class each week so see what new activity we will be completing and just how it
fits in to the design principles.
Love your title this week! I really enjoyed making those videos, too. We've been pressured to incorporate so many elements of project-based learning without the proper PD; it is such a relief to be able to tackle OTTW initiatives with confidence. Learning how to really structure and scaffold an experience for our students made me feel a lot more willing to try something similar in my own classroom.
ReplyDeleteCan you tell I was a cheerleader!? LOL While I have had some PD on project-based learning, it's been more on the background and why it's the next best thing. I'm so glad I decided to take the Doodles program; it helps me immensely in my daily teaching.
DeleteYou're right we have been giving our students a disservice by being lesson planners and not lesson designers. I find myself constantly changing and adding to my lessons. Making them fit the principles we have learned and using the tool too. Even the students have noticed and will say to me that they like how I taught something. I always felt like I had to "run the show" in my class but I love handing over the reins to my students.
ReplyDeleteI do feel this program doesn't fall for my biggest pet peeve of professional development and many teacher education programs... lecturing and having students write tedious papers about why lecturing and essays aren't the best way for students to learn.
ReplyDelete