Kim Cofino: Always Learning
"Making Time to Create"
I read "Making Time to Create" on Kim Cofino's blog, Always Learning. This blog helped me to realize that everyone, even myself, can be creative in his or her own way. Being creative doesn't mean you are good at just drawing or painting, but it can mean a variety of things. Four great videos were linked into this article, and I found them to be interesting since I am usually one of those "I'm not creative" type of people. The first video, "How To Be Creative," explains that there are stages of creativity, similar to the MYP Design Cycle, and that people can actually learn to become creative. The second video, "Obvious To You Amazing To Others," was short and to the point, but one I really liked. It reminded me that, just like the title says, some things may be obvious to me, but are new ideas to others. I think this would be a good video to show students, because it would help them realize that everyone has something they can contribute to the conversation at hand. It can also help build a community learning class culture because everyone can learn from others thoughts and ideas. The third video called "The Gap," was about not giving up. We need to make time to create and to keep trying and learning, and trying again. "This Could Fail" was the final video in the article. This is another video that I think would be great to show my students. This video puts a positive view on failing. Failing at doing something doesn't mean you are a failure; it means you are another step closer to succeeding.
After reading the article and watching the videos, it makes me think about how I often catch myself and others saying, "I'm not creative." I have also heard many children say this as well. I think it's important for us as teachers to set an example and to encourage one's creativity despite what that person thinks of his or her abilities. We need to make time to create, and work at being creative together. We can learn so much from each other just as the video "How To Be Creative" explained, "If you are working with someone who is a carbon copy of yourself, you may as well be working alone." I think this was a great article and had great videos not only for teachers, but for students as well.
After reading the article and watching the videos, it makes me think about how I often catch myself and others saying, "I'm not creative." I have also heard many children say this as well. I think it's important for us as teachers to set an example and to encourage one's creativity despite what that person thinks of his or her abilities. We need to make time to create, and work at being creative together. We can learn so much from each other just as the video "How To Be Creative" explained, "If you are working with someone who is a carbon copy of yourself, you may as well be working alone." I think this was a great article and had great videos not only for teachers, but for students as well.