Creativity Tools

For students to be successful in the 21st century classroom, there needs to be an integration between the pedagogical, instructional model and technology.  Many students today are well versed in technology and use technology on a daily basis, from playing video games to socializing on social media sites to researching materials to gain more knowledge about a certain subject.  As teachers, we must take advantage of this interest and ability of students and effectively integrate technology in the classroom with our instructional materials. 

What is TPACK?
The Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) is a "framework that identifies the knowledge teachers need to teach effectively with technology" (Koehler, 2011).  At the center if the TPACK framework is the complex interplay of three essential forms of knowledge: Content (CK), Pedagogy (PK), and Technology (TK).  Beyond this, TPACK emphasizes new types of knowledge that "lie at the intersections between them, representing four more knowledge bases teachers applicable to teaching with technology: Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK), Technological Content Knowledge (TCK), Technological Pedagogical Knowledge (TPK), and the intersection of all three circles, Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK)" (Koehler, 2011).  To have an effective technology integration for pedagogy encompassing the specific subject matter, it is required that there is a development of sensitivity to the "dynamic, transactional relationship between these components of knowledge situated in unique contexts" (Koehler, 2011).    

Enhancing a Student's Creativity
For the purpose of this blog, I reviewed the article How can technology enhance student creativityby Saomya Saxena.  I specifically appreciated her comment: "Technology will not live up to its potential until we start to think of it less like televisions and more like paintbrushes.  That is, we need to start seeing computer screens not simply as information machines, but also as a new medium for creative design and expression.  The more we learn about the abilities of technology, the more creative we become" (Saxena, 2013).

There are a seemingly unlimited number of tools available at a teachers disposal that can bring technology to the classroom. What is important, however, is to ensure that this technology integrates with the curricular and instructional requirements and expectations in the classroom. The following are tools that Saxena (2013) recognized which use technology that students may enjoy and may enhance their creativity:

• Blogs for creative thinking
• Cartoon and Comic Strip Tools
• Mind-Mapping and Brainstorming Tools
• Infographics
• Video and Audio Tools
• Digital Storytelling Tools
• Games

Although I have discussed blogs in previous blog posts, I am drawn back to the benefits and capabilities of blogs for the purpose of this post.  Saxema (2013) explained the benefit of blogs:

Blogs are a great way for the development of creative thinking and writing in students.  It provides feeedom to students to post whatever they want and comment upon or share each other's material.  They can openly write on topics that intrigue them and give vent to their ideas without having to worry about grading or grammatical errors.  Students can volunteer to organize and manage a common class blog, which will act as a common source of expression for the entire class.  Blogging makes students feel responsible for their own learning and they are encouraged to incorporate creativity in their learning through them, which they could not do before.  Few free blogging platforms for teachers and students are; Edublogs, Blogger, WordPress, and many more. (Saena, 2013).

I have had this blog for a few years now as I have pursued my doctorate degree.  However, I never fully recognized the capabilities of a blog until now.  For example, I did not realize that I could post a picture and align it with the text as I did above with the TPACK model.  Further, I was unaware that I could make a block quote with the simple push of a button (I had been using five spaces to move the paragraph over into what appeared to be an APA acceptable "block" quote). 

Blogger was my immediate choice when I started this blog.  I do not recall immediately why I chose this site over others, but I have appreciated it's simplicity and ease of use.  I also explored WordPress and was impressed with it's capabilities and ability to be more creative with designs.  In fact, I may transition to WordPress in the future if I decide to maintain a constant blog for my colleagues to share ideas and knowledge.

Students have an opportunity to use blogs to express their thoughts, ideas, and creativity.  This could be similar to a discussion board at a university for online students.  Since most public schools do not utilize discussion boards for their students, blogging could be the next best option for opening up dialogue and sharing ideas.  Students could submit written assignments through a blog and be afforded more creativity through adding pictures and other visual products that may not be as easy or acceptable in Microsoft Word.  Further, the ease of access to a blog will allow other students and teachers the opportunity to view and share ideas and comments on the student's blog.  This also aligns with the TPACK model explained above, as a blog must show the technological knowledge (TK), pedagogical knowledge (PK), and content knowledge (CK). 

I know that I have shown a particular fondness over something that for today may seem very minuscule or even outdated.  However, I am thinking constantly as I explore different blogs the possibilities I have with each and how I can share my ideas and knowledge with my colleagues.  Most likely I will never again be back in the classroom with elementary or secondary students, so I also have to consider how this will benefit me as an administrative professional in the district apart from curriculum.  I consider my colleagues across the state as a close working family, and a blog will allow us to share ideas, knowledge, and thoughts in our field. 

Bottom line is this.  I was hesitant when I saw "blog" because I think about those who I know who use blogs as daily journal to tell the world that their scrambled eggs were delicious for breakfast.  A blog is so much more than bragging or complaining about random topics.  A blog is a place where ideas are shared, knowledge is spread, creativity is explored, and thoughts are provoked.  Plus, a blog is simple, free, and easy to manage.  This tool is something that students, teachers, administrators, and professionals alike should explore and use to enhance their creativity and knowledge.   

Kayne M. Smith

References

Koehler, M. J. (2011).  What is TPACK?  Retrieved from http://www.tpack.org/

Saxema, S. (2013).  How can technology enhance student creativity?  Retrived from http://edtechreview.in/trends-insights/insights/750-how-can-technology-enhance-student-creativity

Benefits of an ePortfolio

After defining an ePortfolio, we will now explore the benefits and concerns of ePortfolios.  I explored multiple ePortfolio options, including wikispaces and Weebly.  However, thanks to a very exploratory classmate, I was introduced to the ePortfloio offered by Texas A&M University-Commerce.  Sadly, in the three years I was never aware of the option of creating a free ePortfolio with A&M-Commerce.  Thankfully, now in my last semester, I was introduced to this handy and beneficial tool.

Once I started exploring, I realized that either the ePortfolio on ManeSync has stalked me for years and found my Linkedin page and my blog or I had already started this ePortfolio without realizing it.  I began adding education records, work experience, and other pertinent information.  This tool is great to be able to use as an electronic resume of sorts.  Although I do not see this as much more than a simpler LinkedIn page minus the random posts, it does perform the necessary functions to maintain my work history, education, activities, professional development, and much more.

To expand on this benefit, I was amused to see that I could export the information into a PDF file.  My immediate thought was that I'd never have to create another resume in Microsoft Word again.  Although the format is fairly attractive once you upload the PDF, it is not something that I would use as a resume.  It is however a very quick and easy method to print out our information that would be important to reference if looking for a new career or attempting to advance your academic studies. 

I would recommend the ePortfolio in ManeSync to anyone.  It is a very simple tool to use, and this is coming from someone who is self-proclaimed technologically challenged.  I was able to create the basics of an ePortfolio in a matter of minutes between two meetings during a workday.  I like to keep things simple and not "busy" with a lot of activity on the screen (i.e., Facebook).  This ePortflio met all my needs and if I was still in the classroom would highly recommend this tool to my students (or create one on the similar platform for my school for all students and teachers to access).

Below is the link to my ePortfolio.  It is still a work in progress and there are still steps needed to call it complete.  However, with a tool such as an ePortfolio, are they ever truly "complete"?  This is a tool that must be visited and amended frequently to ensure that all the information is up-to-date and that visitors can see all accomplishments of the owner.  

https://my.orgsync.com/kaynesmith

On a side note - the most difficult component of the ePortfolio thus far is the "about me" section.  I have no idea what to put there.  I mean, I know who I am (I think), but how should I approach this section?

What is an ePortfolio?

First, it is important to define what an ePortfolio is.  An e-portfolio is a “digitized collection or artifacts, including demonstrations, resources, and accomplishments that represent an individual, group, community, organization, or institution” (Lorenzo & Ittelson, 2005).  Baston (2010) added that “ePortfolios, as tools, allow students to have their own set of management tools that they control and own so their learning is longitudinal instead of episodic.”   

 

Assesments of Learning or Assessments for Learning?

To identify the differences between assessments of learning and assessments for learning, I reviewed the text Growing success: Assessment, evaluation, and reporting in Ontario schools.  Assessment for learning, which is commonly referred to as formative and diagnostic assessments, is the “use of a task or an activity for the purpose of determining student progress during a unit or block of instruction.”  Further, assessment for learning embeds assessment processes throughout the teaching and learning process to constantly adjust instructional strategy” (Siedlecki, 2012).   

 

On the other hand, assessment of learning is the use of a task or an activity to measure, record and report on a student's level of achievement in regards to specific learning expectations. These are often known as summative assessments.  Moreover, assessment of learning involves “looking at assessment information at the end of the teaching and learning process to rank students’ achievement levels against a standard…it is summative in nature and typically involves standardized tests” (Siedlecki, 2012). 

 

EPortfolios are beneficial as they can serve as both a formative and summative assessment.  Baston noted that with ePortfolios, teachers can “move from this very thin and veiled domain of grades based largely on tests to the colorful, detailed, and informative domain of evidence-based learning (EBL)” (Grush, 2012). 

 

Baston added: It is also possible--and maybe even likely--to fundamentally transform the academic structure, literally to create a new form. This new educational form is structured around a core evidence-based learning (EBL) paradigm. In this new form, grades are based on evaluating ePortfolios, not on tests. It is based, not on how much a student remembers of what the professor said, but on actual evidence of student learning gathered with the help of the professor. (Grush, 2012).

 

Lifelong and Lifewide Learning

One of the benefits of an ePortfolio is that it can continue with you throughout your progression in school.  This affords the learner the opportunity to document what they have learned throughout their schooling and provides an extra level of assessment so that educators can not only see the progression of the student for a particular grade but throughout their schooling.  One thing that comes to mind is high school social studies.  I never understood why U.S. History up to Reconstruction was taught in 8th grade, and then U.S. History post-Reconstruction had to wait until 11th grade.  Schools could coordinate between the two grades to establish an ePortfolio for students to where they can continue their progression through high school social studies and include information they have learned throughout the subjects, especially the two U.S. History courses.  With that said, I agree with Siedlecki’s (2012) comment that “only when we stop doing assessment to students or for students and do assessment with students will we truly be building their intellectual independence and ability to think critically” (Siedlecki, 2012).

 

References

 

Baston, T. (2010).  A profundly disruptive technology.  Retrieved from

http://campustechnology.com/Articles/2010/07/28/A-Profoundly-Disruptive-Technology.aspx?Page=1

 

Growing success: Assessment, evaluation, and reporting in Ontario schools (1st ed.).  Retrieved from http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/policyfunding/growSuccess.pdf

 

Grush, M. (2012).  AAEEBL: It’s all about evidence-based learning – supported by ePortfolios.  Retrieved from http://campustechnology.com/articles/2012/02/15/evidence-based-learning-supported-by-eportfolios.aspx

 

Lorenzo, G. & Ittelson, J. (2005).  An Overview of E-Portfolios.  Retrieved from http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ELI3001.pdf.

 

Siedlecki, J. (2012).  Education testing: Assessment of learning versus assessment for learning.  Retrieved from http://www.msdf.org/blog/2012/05/education-testing-assessment-of-learning-versus-assessment-for-learning/

 

From "Reading Discussion #3", ETEC 524, Spring 2015.

What is a blog?

What is a blog?  Wikipedia defines a blog (a truncation of the expression weblog) as "a discussion or informational site published on the World Wide Web and consisting of discrete entries (posts) typically displayed in reverse chronological order."  As you may tell, my blog has been used previously in different classes and has remained dormant until the start of this course.  I am not one who is a frequent "blogger" and usually forget that this resource is even available.   

I am a political science major and very active in politics.  However, I do not post political views on Facebook or Linkedin (the two social medial websites I use).  A blog may be an appropriate way to post personal opinions and views in political matters.  I was intrigued to read about the blogging that occurred after the 2002 comments made by U.S. Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott in reference to U.S. Senator Strom Thurmond.  The comments made by Lott were controversial; however, they were not carried by any of the major news outlets.  Frequent blogging occurred referencing these comments and Lott was forced to resign his position over the comments.

This shows that blogging has a huge impact.  Students can use blogging to discuss lessons, provide feedback, and demonstrate their critical thinking skills.  By having a personal blog (an ongoing diary or commentary), students can discuss their personal views, opinions, or feedback over relevant course work that can be read by other students and the teacher.  This is a simple process that can be used from home or the classroom.

In my position, I could use a blog to heighten awareness to the community for our district.  Our superintendent has a blog that he frequently updates with current events in our district.  I could communicate to the community with a blog about job postings, benefits of working in the school district, school bus safety, and many other areas. 

Technology is an important method of communication that will only become more complex as we move forward.  A blog is something simple that teachers, principals, and district administrators can use to communicate with their parents and patrons of the school district.  This effective means of communication should be utilized to its fullest extent by not only the aforementioned school personnel, but by students as well.

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