The Creative Classroom with John Spencer

We know collaboration is important but it’s easy for introverts to get lost in the shuffle. So, how do we honor introverts’ identity and build on their hidden strengths and we engage in collaborative projects?  Listen to the Podcast Just click on the audio below to listen to this Creative Classroom podcast. You can also listen […] The post Helping Introverts Thrive in Collaborative Projects appeared first on John Spencer.

If we want to see innovation happening in our schools, we need to trust, encourage, and empower teachers to transform their practice. Too often, teachers are forced to teach inside the box and it can feel frustrating. In this post, I explore why teachers are the innovators, what’s getting in the way, and what we […] The post We Need to Trust Teachers to Innovate appeared first on John Spencer.

Listen to the Podcast Just click on the audio below to listen to this Creative Classroom podcast. You can also listen to it on the go by subscribing on iTunes (ideal for iPhone users) or Google Play and Stitcher (ideal for Android users)   Five Really Good Reasons Not to Do Collaborative Projects With Your Students “Group project.” Say those two words […] The post The Roadmap for Collaborative Projects appeared first on John Spencer.

If we say we want students to become critical thinking life-long learners, we need to provide projects that encourage them to engage in creative collaboration. But what does this look like in each subject area? How do turn this idea into a reality? We’ll be exploring that idea in my second blog post in a […] The post Collaborative Projects Can Work in Any Subject appeared first on John Spencer.

It’s easy to think of creativity as a solitary endeavor. But some of the best creative work is collaborative. The following is an exploration of the seven keys to successful creative collaboration.   Listen to the Podcast Just click on the audio below to listen to this Creative Classroom podcast. You can also listen to it […] The post Taking Collaboration to the Next Level appeared first on John Spencer.

UX Design Theory can teach us a lot about how to build community, communicate clearly, and set up effective systems as we design our courses. The following is an exploration 8 ways UX Design Theory can change the way we teach.  Listen to the Podcast Just click on the audio below to listen to this Creative […] The post 8 Ways UX Design Theory Transformed My Approach to Course Design appeared first on John Spencer.

Don’t Wait to Innovate! Teachers often begin the school year with team-building activities or a review of the rules and procedures. But what if we began with student-centered projects? The following is an exploration of six student-centered projects you can launch in your first month of school. Note that this post was inspired by a […] The post 6 Projects that Promote Student Ownership in the First Month of School appeared first on John Spencer.

When teachers view themselves as systems architects, they are able to view potential problems as design challenges.    Listen to the Podcast Just click on the audio below to listen to this Creative Classroom podcast. You can also listen to it on the go by subscribing on iTunes (ideal for iPhone users) or Google Play and Stitcher (ideal for Android users)   […] The post Turning Problems into Solutions appeared first on John Spencer.

This is the first post in a week-long series on makerspaces.  I once taught an eighth-grade student who had written four novels online, despite the fact that she had only been learning English for three years. She spent her free time in class looking up how to set up lead magnets and create funnels for […] The post Why Every Classroom Should Be a Makerspace appeared first on John Spencer.

The best way to prepare students for the future is by empowering them in the moment.   Listen to the Podcast Just click on the audio below to listen to this Creative Classroom podcast. You can also listen to it on the go by subscribing on iTunes (ideal for iPhone users) or Google Play and Stitcher […] The post 7 Things That Happen When Students Own Their Learning appeared first on John Spencer.

We want to empower students. However, this can be scary for teachers. Here are some of the fears I felt as a teacher as I made this shift toward student ownership. Listen to the Podcast Just click on the audio below to listen to this Creative Classroom podcast. You can also listen to it on […] The post The Five Biggest Fears that Kept Me from Empowering Students appeared first on John Spencer.

The debate about fidget spinners often misses the bigger issue of student ownership. When we focus on student distractions and student engagement, we miss out on student empowerment and student ownership.  Listen to the Podcast Just click on the audio below to listen to this Creative Classroom podcast. You can also listen to it on […] The post Fidget Spinners Aren’t the Issue (The Real Issue Is Student Ownership) appeared first on John Spencer.

Schools are designed to be practical but this has a hidden drawback. Innovation is often impractical because it’s unpredictable. So, what if the push toward “practical skills” in school is actually making learning impractical? And what if impractical ideas and skills we ignore are actually what students will use later in life? Listen to the […] The post School Should Be Impractical (The Practical Benefits of Being Impractical) appeared first on John Spencer.

Creative work is inherently fun. However, sometimes it’s also frustrating, slow, and difficult. In other words, it’s a lot like working out. We explore this connection in the following blog podcast, video, and blog post.  Listen to the Podcast Just click on the audio below to listen to this Creative Classroom podcast. You can also […] The post 5 Ways Creative Work Is Like Working Out appeared first on John Spencer.

It took me years to transform my instruction toward a more student-centered approach. This is my story where I share my journey toward student ownership through student choice.    Listen to the Podcast Just click on the audio below to listen to this Creative Classroom podcast. You can also listen to it on the go […] The post Who Owns the Learning in Your Classroom? appeared first on John Spencer.