Instagram Photos

I am pretty sure that I always go on about how beautiful the outdoors is, even though I am not very outdoorsy. Here are some various pictures I took and Instagram, most are from this summer.

Visiting my sister in NY

Charleston, SC

Scarborough, Maine

Scarborough, Maine

New Port, Rhode Island

New Port, Rhode Island

Sunset

Visiting my sister in Manhattan Beach, CA

Sunset in Santa Monica

Learning and Leading

1.     What are the four dimensions that J.P. Guilford used to describe creativity?
            The 4 dimensions are Fluency, Flexibility, Originality, and Elaboration.

2. With which of the four dimensions do you struggle the most? Provide details as to why/how this dimension is difficult for you.
            I would say Flexibility. The reason for it is because I can be a very stubborn person. When I believe in something and research all of the facts and base my opinion on them then it is hard for me to think of it in another way. I wouldn’t say I am closed minded because I will listen to others, but it is very hard to get me to change my opinion.

3. Think about all of the tools we’ve learned about in class so far. Select a tool and describe how it might help with two or more of the four dimensions of creativity.
            I think the tool we used just the other day, the corkboard one, would apply to a few tools. One of the things mentioned under the elaboration was that students take turn, and if they use this tool they can all express their ideas on their own. I think the corkboard could work with originality or creativity as well, the teacher can ask the students to give their input on good project ideas and then they could each post their ideas anonymously on the site, without being embarrassed if their idea isn’t picked.

4. Spend 10-15 minutes exploring one of the creativity tools listed in the chart on p. 14 in the article. Make sure not to choose a tool you’ve used before. How could that tool be used to support creativity in your chosen grade/subject area?
            I had never heard of the Google guess/lumosity so when I went on to explore it, I thought it was really cool. It allows you to create a training program to increase you memory, flexibility, etc. in a 5 week training program. I think this tool would help students a lot, it would allow them to gain more knowledge in the areas they need to learn and help them in ways that they aren’t necessarily thinking of. I think it would be a good idea to have them do it at the beginning of the school year and the end to see how far they have come, and see the areas they still need to work in the next year or during the summer.

Creative Monday

My creative thing is a little random. I love Despicable Me and one of my friends lives on a hall in Russell that's theme is Despicable Me. In the hall their is a giant minion, and I mean giant, it is almost the size of me. I wanted it so badly, so I decided to ask the RA how she made it and she told me. I had to go on a website, upload the photo, print tons of pages with the photo blown up, piece them all together like a puzzle piece, and then cut the minion out. After I made it I wasn't sure what to do with him, so I decided to put him in the middle of the dorm room. I must say he adds character.

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Technology in Learning

     I think some of the trends, especially the tablet, will make a big difference in education in the coming years. At this moment I think that technology is lightly affecting different areas of school. Some schools have really taken the time to include various technologies in their schools, but there are still many that only use technologies a little or not at all. Technology has affected schooling in the sense that like the reading says people are able to learn in new place and on the go, or do their work on the go. In the past students didn’t really have the option to research topics on the bus, in a car, or on an airplane with their computers, but now they can. I disagree with the reading in that collaboration in education is very prevalent. Yes, people do have to work in groups on some projects or things, but most of the time they are turning stuff in solo. On the other hand, however, people do tend to collaborate on homework and other things more these days that are individual then in the past. 
     When talking about the challenges I agree 100% with the money factor. The schools I mentioned and kids who aren't really getting to use the technologies are the schools that can't afford it. Honestly, I don't see that issue being addressed anytime in the near future. At this moment there are so many other issues in education that someone isn't going to take the time to make sure that all these schools have the fundings for technology, especially since they already lack in so many other things. 
     Yes, I think that the learning environments will slowly begin to change, and some already have. I think that the classrooms will have the latest technologies like Promethean Boards, computers for everyone like several private schools already do. I think another thing that might get started is the tablet for every student which serves as a way to turn in/do assignments, and serves as your textbook. I think that technology would be good for classrooms because the teachers also have a way to communicate quickly with their class on the tablets.