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This week I coached a writing camp. Usually space is important to me. The space we met in and wrote in was an art space, open and inviting, with pieces of folk art all around. The space felt comfortable and inspiring, not the case with the computer lab.
The computer lab was like a cave, long and dark. The AC didn’t work well, so it was warm. However, none of this mattered because once the kids got online and logged into our kidblog site, the space became as quiet as a bee hive, everyone buzzing and busy writing and commenting. When I asked the students about their favorite part of camp, the blog was high on the list. Online space is important, too.
I have not focused this week on the Clmooc make #4. The instructions were: “For this make cycle, we invite you to document, analyze and reflect on the variety of systems that influence your life personally and/or professionally. Use your creativity to document an existing system, access your ingenuity to improve an existing system or use your imagination to develop a unique new system and design a novel way to explain it.”
I decided to go back to my inquiry question, “How can I create an environment for student writing that encourages individual expression while covering necessary benchmarks?” I realized that the very act of content standards and testing is a system. So I am essentially asking about how I can hack the system. But I have to begin with research. Look at this Piktochart created by Christy Ball.
I am only on step three, doing the research. There is no rush here. Inquiry is like that. By its nature it’s slow and should be. If I rush into it, I risk losing focus and not valuing the question.
I started a padlet. Not much there yet. So far I am focusing on creativity. That is what I feel is most missing from standards and from testing. We are creating little boxes for students to fit in to. In reality, creativity is the thing that will lead to innovation and problem solving. How can I create a creative environment for my students? How can I value creativity and project-based learning while adhering to standards? Please inquire with me. You can add comments, write your own blog post, and/or add to the padlet.
Reflections on the Teche 
Did you see this? https://goo.gl/rAqrDm
And this? https://goo.gl/X0Wcsd
And ultimately this with all the comments? https://plus.google.com/100793836635139116532/posts/PZfyzkd5PKM
Anything creative is never a linear process. Thanks for linking up these images.
Here’s a link you might want to add to your padlet: http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/why-stem-wont-make-us-successful/2015/03/26/5f4604f2-d2a5-11e4-ab77-9646eea6a4c7_story.html
Margaret,
Your question and approach to the challenge is inspiring and really the direction we all should go. Thinking of the standards as the floor, not the ceiling is a great mindset for us all. You have got me really thinking.
Here’s something I did last year for our Genius hour. I really like the time but it needs a structure and some accountability for the students to stay on track. It’s more simplistic but could be iterative if students weren’t done with their project in five weeks.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Y9RE3PJmV6nUGyChyN17M82u1PXSJhysSasfLztvvcs/edit
I like how the systems make cycle took us all in different, but deeper connections. I fed off your post to add to thinking about creativity and authenticity. How will we get there? Your choice of creativity is so important! Thanks for sharing!
Creativity is important to me. I realize this every time I work with kids. They are hungry for it. Creativity values the person as an independent thinker.
Yes. And I think in today’s education environment the system devalues student attempts at learning, shutting down creativity. So you begun the transformation back to valuing student ideas. I look forward to your further sharing on this.
This is one system I’d surely like to hack — standards based education. You made me smile when I thought of it like that. Creativity is missing. It will be interesting to see how the movements to make, to create, to personalize, will work in a system so tightly based around standards. We are teaching students who will work in an idea economy. What do they need to be successful? I’m thinking it might be teachers that know how to hack! ;o)
Thanks for hosting,
Cathy
I hate that when I use creativity I feel sneaky or like I am hacking the system. Creativity should be at the top of the list. Does creativity create fear? So many things to think about. I hope you will continue to add to the discussion.
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