Journal 6: Fostering Creativity and Innovation through Technology

Vaidyanathan, S. (2012). Fostering creativity and innovation through technology. ISTE: Learning and Leading, 39(6), 24-27. Retrieved from http://www.learningandleading-digital.com/learning_leading/20120304?pg=26&pm=2&fs=1


Summary: This article offers the idea of using digital design programs in order to enhance students learning in the STEM subjects (science, engineering, technology and mathematics) as well as their creativity and innovation. Some teachers like Ms. Vaidyanathan in the Los Altos, Ca school district have used this technique in class and have found it to be successful. Programs such as Scratch, SketchUp and Seashore have been used in order to help children in their creative learning and innovation as well as the core STEM subjects. Students like the idea that they can do school work while having the option to easily edit or fix any mistakes (2012.25). A plus about using digital design is that many of the programs are free, therefore, there isn't an effect on the schools budget. This is also effective because students can then download programs at home and they can finish up any homework or just learn new things on the programs for fun. It is known that technology is an important aspect in today's society. With that said, digital design programs are an essential tool in expanding students learning.


Question 1: Why do students like using digital design programs in school?


Answer 1: As stated in the article, students like the idea of unlimited "paper". In most art classes, students usually have to add certain colors or start a project over in order to make it "just right". But with digital design programs, students have access to edit projects or make editions to projects whenever they please. They can also take away any added on editions if they decide they don't like the changes. Many students enjoy new activities that differ from the usual math and language arts type of work. However, digital design programs focus on those main subjects while making it interesting for students to learn in a creative way. 


Question 2: How does digital design reinforce STEM?


Answer 2: Digital design is a mix of art and technology (2012.27). It is built on a foundation of mathematics, engineering and science. For example, angles and polygons can be used in programs like vector graphics and different aspects can be changed along the way. Using different geographic elements on these programs is a fun and effective way for students to learn math. When students enjoy learning, they are more likely to want to continue learning on these programs. Therefore, they spend more time on the programs at home. As a result, the children are more likely to remember and recall the learned material.

Journal 5: How to do More with Less

Pape, L., Sheehan, T., & Worrell, C. (2012). How to do more with less. ISTE: Learning and Leading, 39(6), 18-22. Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/DigitalEditionMarch-April2012.aspx

Summary: In the article, "How to do More with Less", the issues teachers have with fitting in all the needed curriculum in a school year was introduced. However, the article offers two innovative online learning strategies: the bedded classroom and the flipped classroom (2012.18). The authors claim that both of these strategies maximize learning time by increasing student-to-student time as well as student-to-teacher time as well as more personalized instruction that focuses on individual learning needs (2012.18.) Making time for these learning strategies also fosters the development of individual learning skills like any online class would (2012.18) Students have to be responsible in seeking out educational resources on the web and learn at their comfortable pace. Throughout the article, there are a variety of different benefits to both the blended classroom and the flipped classroom.

Question 1: What is a blended classroom and what components are included in this classroom. What are its benefits?

Answer 1: According to the article, the term blended refers to mixing traditional face-to-face instruction with online learning practices (2012.18). Within a blended classroom, teachers use digital resources, content and tools to enhance and transform the learning process (2012.18). This learning process includes whenever/wherever learning, specific help for students learning needs, and access to tools to fully engage students in the learning process (2012.18) The blended classroom process clearly has many benefits; not only does it save time and money in the classroom but it also enhances student learning as well as introduces digital tools that students can use throughout their lives.

Question 2: What is a flipped classroom? What does it include and what are its benefits?

Answer 2: In a flipped classroom, teachers use technology, such as videos and podcasts, to deliver class lectures (2012.18). Therefore, if a student is absent or a student needs clarification about certain content in the lecture, they can replay the technology driven demonstration. Like the blended classroom, the flipped classroom relies on open educational resources. These include free online tools and materials designed to support instruction (2012.19).  Different tools used in both a flipped classroom and a blended classroom include blogs, wikis, social bookmarking like diigo, creative expression tools like comic strips and social networking (2012.19-21) Flipped classrooms and blended classrooms share a lot of benefits that include enhancing students learning and introducing digital tools that will be useful to them throughout their lives.