My suspicions are confirmed… that theatre major was actually practical! I’ve always known that creativity is fun, but rarely have I practiced creativity under the assumption that it was pragmatic. There is no wrong answer, think outside the box, be silly, be smart, paint badly etc.- this is my goofy little wheelhouse. And, personally, I can attest that flexible thinking has enabled me to take on a plethora of professional tasks (my resume looks like it was cooked up in an improv game). That said, when I was a student, I had a self-imposed notion that what was fun, was just for fun- with little value in most careers. So what I saw and hear from this session’s speakers really rang true for me.
3 Comments
Zack
11/6/2016 03:04:13 pm
I'm always jealous of those with theater abilities, and I agree with you, those skills are so practical! The very action of taking on a theatrical perspective, helps us learn that our bias and ways of being are not static. The videos/articles really point to this same insight around the static model in the box, is the enemy to innovation. I'm sure that your creative nature, as Mobly points out, brings it out in others, allowing them to take that same risk and become creative.
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Jennifer Wade
11/6/2016 04:11:40 pm
I loved this week's videos and assignment. Rarely do we give this topic of creativity enough thought and attention, yet there it is on the report-card and I am expected to grade it. Hmmm... The best we can do is give opportunities and support. Obviously students in kindergarten do not need to be taught creativity and after watching the Ted talk I am more sensitive to whether I am teaching it out of them. It may happen eventually, but hopefully not by my hand.
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11/7/2016 08:47:31 pm
Believe it or not in a former life I was actually an art major. I attended what (had I finished like I planned) the best art school in America for that year. But, life takes you in other directions and I thought to get into English (like that is any more practical). I would love to have my kids use their creative abilities to more in my classes. I liked what you were saying about the games you played in your 8th grade ELA class. You seem like a fun teacher and maybe you could shed some light as to where you got those games. You have a very cohesive blog it is easy to follow.
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AuthorMy job is to convince 13 year-olds read books and write essays. I want them to do so with joy and confidence, and without launching spitballs at their neighbor. Archives
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