Thursday, November 19, 2009

Technology

How much should we rely on technology?
Is it too popular now? Or are teachers forced to use technology to teach the students?
I know that when I shadowed an older teacher that she did not use very much technology because she did not know the specifics of all the new programs and such. I think we a steering away from the old teaching style but I do not how much it will be effective because I have not dealt with it myself. Should schools provide laptops for all students? I sure wish I has a laptop. I like the new technology that changes voice to text and such-- good ideas to bring into the education world! :)

Monday, November 9, 2009

Efficacy

In order to teach someone you have to believe in both your own ability to teach them and the students ability to learn the material. The most effective teachers believe in themselves and their own ability to teach. Why would a student want to learn if you as a teacher was not able to believe in themselves? As a teacher you just need to keep working and believing in yourself--never give up!

Inventiveness

When allowed to do what we want to do, we are most likely to revert to whatever we previously found enjoyable and/or successful. This amounts to what I call, “another one of those” artworks. Sad as that is, the worst part is that the creative process is not being learned (Bartel).
I think teachers in every area need to reflect on what they are doing that tends to help the creative critical thinking that is a definite need to be successful in a specific skill in today's time and age. Children should be able to choose and work to better their creativity but it also needs to be monitored so the child does not just repeat the same old stuff. I always remember doing fun project that engaged my creativity and made me want to try new ideas. Teachers need to be aware of ways to help teach creativity, if they don't the students wouldn't know how to think out of the box and understand how much creativity is used in the world. I found some tips on why teachers should teach creativity to students

Because your brain will thank you...

  • Develop your potential beyond the boundaries of intelligence
    Expand on your abilities. Develop all of your potential!
  • Rapid growth of competition in business and industry
    In a world of increasing complexity, change, and competition, generating new ideas and bringing them to the table is now essential for corporate management. Successful businesses are the ones that instill creativity throughout the organization.
  • Effective use of human resources creativity is a human resource which exists in all organizations
    To survive in today's economy, it is imperative for an organization to nurture the creative potential of its human resources.
  • Discover new and better ways to solve problems
    Increasingly, the problems you face are complex and open-ended. Knowledge alone isn't enough to reach innovative solutions. Creative thinking skills are required.
  • Development of society
    Creativity is a central factor in our ability to continue to adapt to the changing environment. If a nation actively seeks to nurture creativity, it will play a part in making history.
  • Building on the nature of knowledge
    Creativity skills can assist an individual in enhancing his or her knowledge base. Without creative thinking, an individual is condemned to stay within the knowledge base as it is given.
  • Natural human phenomenon
    Creativity is very democratic! Everyone has some, but to varying levels and degrees. We know these abilities can be enhanced.
  • Important aspect of mental health
    Individuals who are capable of incorporating creativity into their lives can enjoy the experience of discovering, developing, and utilizing their many talents. Skills relevant to creativity are also useful in coping with life's challenges. There is no doubt, creative thinking is a critical life skill.
  • Growing body of interest
    There is a growing body of literature that represents impressive progress in understanding the nature of creativity. Moreover, there have been a large number of national and international conferences on creativity for over 50 years.
  • Builds on all disciplines
    Creativity is in all fields-from chemistry to engineering, education to computer science, sociology to business.
  • Contributes to effective leadership
    It is the application of creativity skills that distinguishes a manager who maintains the status quo from a leader who supplies a new direction or vision. By internalizing the spirit of creativity and the principles of creative problem solving, an individual can be transformed into a change leader.
  • Enhances the process of learning
    The nature of learning requires the use of skills associated with creativity. Educators adopt a creative approach to teaching are more likely to deliver content and create a learning environment that develops higher order thinking skills.