Educators today are rethinking and reshaping their practice to align with the demands of a rapidly changing wired world. Consequently, a greater emphasis has been placed on skills such as creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, design, play, story, and student agency, all of which can be leveraged by video games. In this edWeb.net webinar presented by the Gaming-Based Learning community, Canadian educator Paul Darvasi shared many practical classroom examples to discuss how video games, as an essential manifestation of contemporary culture, are naturally conducive to learning in the 21st century.
Art is a language—in fact it’s children’s first written language and the only universal language that communicates across the globe, regardless of what tongue people speak. Today we live in the “visual age.” Art and design are even more important skills to develop than ever before, as we prepare students to communicate in all sorts of new media. Art-infused education helps students visually communicate thoughts and feelings.
This webinar encouraged educators to explore how art and literacy are intrinsically linked. Webinar presenter, Cheri Sterman, Crayola Director of Education, discussed the new National Art Standards and showed how closely they align with the Language Arts standards.
Jenifer Morack, Program Director for edWeb.net and Cheri Sterman, Crayola Director of Education, were featured on Education Talk Radio to discuss Champion Creativity.
Art builds 21st century readiness and develops the 4C’s: Creativity, Critical Thinking, Communication, and Collaboration skills. In the kickoff webinar for the new edWeb.net community, Champion Creativity, participants explored what creativity means and how to use the Creative Cycle in common, everyday experiences.
What is the relationship between physical space, technology, and learning? What kinds of spaces can leverage technology and support the kinds of learning we want to happen? Bill Selak and Ilsa Dohmen from Hillbrook School shared how to create dynamic learning spaces where teachers and students can collaborate, learn together, and work together.
Talking with infants is a hot topic in the news now. Why? Because talking means learning, building knowledge and intelligence. How and how much caregivers talk, engage and interact with infants and toddlers matters.
Innovation and critical thinking are part of the creativity process in the classroom. We know it’s necessary for students to experience creativity thinking in order to go deeper with their learning; but we also know there are many barriers to expressing and promoting creative thought in learning.
You don’t necessarily need the newest, shiniest gadget to engage kids. In this edWeb.net edTech Innovators webinar, librarian and tech guru, Todd Burleson, Resource Center Director at Hubbard Woods Elementary at Winnetka, IL, discussed how he used Peter Reynolds’ book, The Dot, to inspire creativity and teach his students in his K-4 school about Braille alphabets, Morse code, splatter painting by Jackson Pollock, and pointillism by Seurat and Lichtenstein.
Many students struggle when asked to define abstract values like commitment or courage. Artistic expression is as varied as the artistic talent of our students, so everyone can succeed at these projects.