Podcast PD NC - The Case for Creativity and Curiosity in the Classroom

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Brian Whitson of Rowan-Salisbury Schools is an Instructional Design Coach with an extensive background in instructional technology, design thinking, STEM and all-around awesomeness! On Digital Learning Day (#DLDay) February 2021, we interviewed Brian live and streamed to Twitter through our #ILCChats portal. Catch our conversation in podcast form, and review some of the resources Brian shared as he discussed creativity, curiosity and challenge-based learning opportunities.

"We need to use failure as a way to encourage and embolden us TO success; not as a stopping point, but as a checkpoint along the way to success." - Brian Whitson

In this episode, the following resources are referenced - either as inspiration for the content, or to supplement what is discussed. We encourage you to explore them.

Creative Thinking in The Classroom a Wakelet collection by Brian Whitson
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) article, test & infographic from NPR {2015}

Brian's website
Connect with Brian on Twitter
Below are 2 books Brian recommended in the conversation:

Lifelong Kindergarten: Cultivating Creativity Through Projects, Passion, Peers, and PlayHow lessons from kindergarten can help everyone develop the creative thinking skills needed to thrive in today's society.In kindergartens these days, children spend more time with math worksheets and phonics flashcards than building blocks and finger paint. Kindergarten is becoming more like the rest of school. In Lifelong Kindergarten, learning expert Mitchel Resnick argues for exactly the opposite: the rest of school (even the rest of life) should be more like kindergarten. To thrive in today's fast-changing world, people of all ages must learn to think and act creatively--and the best way to do that is by focusing more on imagining, creating, playing, sharing, and reflecting, just as children do in traditional kindergartens.Drawing on experiences from more than thirty years at MIT's Media Lab, Resnick discusses new technologies and strategies for engaging young people in creative learning experiences. He tells stories of how children are programming their own games, stories, and inventions (for example, a diary security system, created by a twelve-year-old girl), and collaborating through remixing, crowdsourcing, and large-scale group projects (such as a Halloween-themed game called Night at Dreary Castle, produced by more than twenty kids scattered around the world). By providing young people with opportunities to work on projects, based on their passions, in collaboration with peers, in a playful spirit, we can help them prepare for a world where creative thinking is more important than ever before.

Educated by Design: Designing the Space to Experiment, Explore, and Extract Your Creative PotentialCreativity is about seeing the world differently. It's about coming up with unconventional ways to express ideas and solve "impossible" problems. Creativity is within reach for everyone. Yes. Even you.No one expects to run--much less win--a marathon without preparation. Such endeavors require training and practice. Lots of practice and even some slips and falls along the way. In Educated by Design, Michael Cohen (aka The Tech Rabbi) explains that creativity is no different. When creativity is clearly defined and intentionally practiced, all educators can improve the design they bring to their students' learning experiences. So many people look at others' success and criticize themselves for not being artistic or talented. In reality, creativity is a mindset that anyone can develop and grow. In this book, Cohen gives you the guidance you need to boost your creative courage and extract your own creative potential. With a little practice, you might just discover that creativity can change the world. "A perfect book for those looking for a balanced dose of inspiration and a roadmap brimming with easy-to-try ideas."--Adam Bellow, cofounder, Breakout EDU "Michael Cohen provides a bold vision for how educators can transform education by thinking like designers."--John Spencer, professor and coauthor of Empower and Launch "In Educated by Design, Michael Cohen helps you find your creative teaching soul. Your students will notice the difference, and you'll notice the difference in your students' learning."--Matt Miller, author of Ditch That Textbook "Whether you are just getting started or a creativity pro, Cohen offers many ways for you to help all students develop their own creative mindset."--Alice Keeler, teacher, EdTech blogger

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