Does School Kill Creativity?

Once again, this video may not be directed toward students, but I felt like I just got so much out of this video that I had to share. I love the story about Gillian Lynne - the lady who choreographed CATS and Phantom of the Opera. It amazes me how different the times are now. The speaker is absolutely right - someone would have given her medicine to calm down and pay attention. I really believe that today, people view state tests and test scores as the most important thing, but I think that kids need to be given the opportunity to be creative; they need to be given the opportunity to express themselves. Now, I do believe that test scores are important, but I think every child needs to be given the chance to explore the areas that interest them, whether it is music, acting or art.

I also found it enlightening when he said that nobody knows what the world will be like in five years, but we are educating children to take us into this future that nobody can grasp because it is so unpredictable. I mean, when I was younger, people thought we would have flying cars and living on the moon, but we are no where near that. The technology that we have no was pretty unexpected.

Anyway, I know the assignment was to find videos that could be shared in class with 8th grade ICT II students, but most of the videos I found were highly intriguing to me, and 8th grade seems so foreign to me. I don't even remember what I did in the 8th grade. I found these videos to be more geared toward the educators and parents of students. Maybe because I have never taught or plan on teaching I can't comprehend what is acceptable for students these days. I feel so old and I am only 25. But this assignment did make me use some critical thinking skills that I have not touched in a while :)

Once Upon A School

This might not be one for the actual classroom, but I think it is something teachers and parents should watch. I don't think 8th graders can see this and understand the way it was meant to be, but I think it is a good video for elders to understand that students, if trained the right way, can do more than what we give them credit for. Students want hands on experience, but sometimes we are not allowed to let them have it because the way our society is now. This is just a good video to show that it is ok as long as kids are properly trained. There will be some accidents, but like the guy says, they are young and will heal quickly ;)

Two Derek Sivers Videos

Here are two videos by Derek Sivers. This first one talks about leaders, followers and starting a movement and is shows a pretty funny example. I chose two of his videos because they are simple and short, but the message is very clear. I think short videos like this is best for young students because if the video goes on and on, they lose interest and stop paying attention. I think a video like this would be best played anytime before group work. Maybe before a big group project, it would be wise to show this video so the natural born leader will be confident to lead and the followers will not feel so bad about following.



This second video is also good for group work, or for a critical thinking exercise. This can show students that just because someone else has come up with a different idea does not mean it is wrong. This video shows the value of diversity, which I think is a concept everyone should realize.

Try Something New for 30 Days

I think this following video is short, sweet and to the point. It would be great for the students when talking about goals. It is not very long, so you wouldn't have to worry about the students' short attention span. This video can show them to start out small - try something for 30 days and then before they know it, it has become a habit and their goal has been reached.

Listen, Learn, Lead, and then Teach...

This video could be used for Unit 9 (Technology Problem-solving and Decision Making Tools). The competencies listed for Unit 9 include creating well-formulated goals, develop effective time management skills, applying appropriate skills and techniques to improve concentration and memory, develop effective written, oral, and nonverbal communication skills, effective note-taking and text-reading strategies, and improve self-esteem.

This video can show students how important it is to listen and learn and how it is ok to fail at something and just because you did, that doesn't mean you are a failure. You can recover from failing at something.

It also shows how important group work is and how it doesn't matter who the student is, where the student is from, but as long as you have a shared purpose, that is all you need. Each person is different with a different background, but that shared purpose brings you together and allows you to utilize the differences.

Taking Random Stuff and Making a Connection With A Kid...

I had actually watched this video before. I believe this girl is from Starkville and I had a friend who posted this in June and I watched it then. Jessi's message is amazing. I don't know of anyone who would take and accomplish this challenge the way she did. I know I would never be able to do it. Videos like this one show how it is ok to be yourself and that there is nothing wrong with not fitting into the norm. One way to use videos like this is if you see a struggle going on with your class, and it doesn't have to be technology related, but if you see someone picking on another kid or any issues like that, you can show videos like this that teach the life lessons from real people. Videos like this can challenge students to do creative tasks and to put their talent to use that they may not have thought of.

How Should Technology Be A Part of The Reinvention of Education?

Salman Khan's view point on interactive education is very intriguing. I really like his idea of having the students watch the videos at home and then come to class and do the work with the teachers aide. I think having the video teach you with the capabilities to rewind and re-watch until you understand it, without being embarrassed to raise your hand in class. It all sounds so good! His exercises offer encouragement, hints, motivation and feedback; I like how he encourages experimentation and repetition until mastery is achieved. I think it is really neat how his knowledge map gets deeper and deeper once the core has been mastered.

The graphs and charts of the students' progress is really beneficial. I mean, it breaks it down to see how much time the student has spent on a specific problem, who needs help with what, which students have mastered a certain topic, etc. This helps the teacher see who needs more student/teacher time, peer to peer tutoring.

I think it is very interesting and the idea of a one-world classroom is very beneficial, but I'm just a little skeptical to the practicality of it. There are students who may not have the access to computers or Internet, so how can they see the videos at home? Overall, I am very impressed with what Kahn is doing. In fact, I sent the link to http://www.khanacademy.org/ to my nephew who is currently being tutored in math.