Developing Cognitive Skills in the Creative Classroom
Connecting the Creative Classroom to Cognitive Development
It is essential to develop a culture of creativity in the technology supported classroom. To use technology in a meaningful way that is developmentally appropriate it is important. When this is achieved, students input their original ideas and can communicate them to a broad audience. Gura (2016) explains the importance of giving students limitations and time to be creative. Evaluation of these types of digital projects should focus on the development of original responses and allow time for reflection. Some of these projects using digital tools can involve producing a response, finding a solution to an open-ended challenge, and encouraging students to give personal responses (Gura, 2016). Everything involved in the creative classroom is fundamental in developing cognitive processes. Students who participate in planning and executing projects in a social environment can develop metacognition, executive functioning, and self-regulation.
The cognitive processes found in challenging students to create solutions to problems and developing original ideas aids in student learning. When students actively engage in creative projects they must develop cognitive skills. These cognitive skills include regulating behavior, higher-order processes that enable people to achieve their goals, and reciprocal feedback (National Academics of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2018). Students begin to self-regulate their behaviors to achieve a desired result and become emotionally invested in their responses to academic challenges (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2018). These activities facilitate the building of memory systems to give them the ability to use past experiences to adapt and solve problems (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2018). This is essential for students to gain the experience they need to solve problems in a society dealing with complex issues requiring creative solutions.
The reading this week is reminiscent of the brain-based learning theories. Brain-based learning is the philosophy that teaching should incorporate scientific research about how the brain learns. A primary focus is cognitive development and methodologies that address the social and emotional needs of students. Gura’s (2016) ideas of cultivating a creative classroom environment meets the social and emotional needs of students while developing their cognitive skills.
Resources:
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2018). How people learn II: Learners, contexts, and cultures. National Academies Press.
Gura, M. (2016). Make, learn, succeed: Building a culture of creativity in your school. International Society for Technology in Education.
International Society for Technology in Education. (2017). ISTE Standards for Students: A practical guide for learning with technology. ISTE (ISBN: 978-1-56484-398-2) (Free download from ISTE).
Alex,
ReplyDeleteI love your infographic! It is very informative and easy to read and understand! Just by looking at your poster, I was able to make connections to the 3 major points that outline the processes that support learning. Executive functioning, self-regulation of learning, and memory are often weak in the students that I work with, so I have to find creative ways for my students to memorize content and understand concepts taught in their general education classes. I totally agree with Gura's point that you included: "Creative learning should be thought of as experimental laboratory" (Gur, 2016). Students should be given the tools to explore different ways to be creative with their learning. There are so many great tools out there, but students need to be give the tools and opportunities to explore them to enhance their learning experiences in school.
Thanks for sharing,
Paulina Koloda
The infographic is perfect for what is to be conveyed from the information. It compares Gura's to the given reading and compares them and allows for side by side reading. Technology allows are students opportunities that weren't available to previous generations. These advancements should
ReplyDeleteallow for this generation to learn, create, and innovate where we couldn't. I wish that we had a fraction of what is available to them. Their learning can be so much more advanced and can do so much good around this rock that we live on. The science behind how learning takes place has gotten so much more specialized and allows us to better understand how they learn and how we need to gear our lessons and technology to meet them where they are at.
Alex,
ReplyDeleteYou did a phenomenal job creating your infographic! Very organized and visually appealing.
I was easily able to note the key points from your reading. I agree wholeheartedly with you in your statement that it is essential to develop a culture of creativity in a tech supported classroom. I think with that comes relationships. If students feel comfortable in their classroom, they are much more willing to take risks when it comes to technology and creativity. Technology is all over the place and being able to hone in how to use it properly is vital in a classroom environment.
Thank you for your insight! I look forward to more posts!
Stephanie
Alex,
ReplyDeleteYour infographic is stunning. You have SO much information presented perfectly that it pleases the eye and made me want to keep learning more. Great job! Self-regulation is something many students lack in nowadays, it's important for teachers to know we can help our students learn how to self-regulate through creatively learning. Combining the creative learning environment and technology really helps the newer generation feel like they are doing something they like while also teaching them so many things like self-regulating that they will use in the outside world. I am glad that you shared how important combining these two things are, thank you for sharing!
Chaeli Pettitt