EDIT 2000

Do you think that schools kill creativity? Maybe it's time for a learning revolution.

But, what does this have to do with technology integration? Are there tools available that enhance students' creative thinking? Are there tools that will enable students to share their divergent thoughts to a broader audience? What types of activities might be possible in your grade/subject area?

One of the NETS addresses creativity and innovation:

Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology. Students:

1. apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes.
2. create original works as a means of personal or group expression.
3. use models and simulations to explore complex systems and issues.
4. identify trends and forecast possibilities.

Brainstorming tools are used frequently to support creativity in K-12 classrooms. Since you’ll be tasked with coming up with an idea for a digital story this week, we'll be exploring a brainstorming tool first to help you get some ideas.

Digital Storytelling

For this next assignment, you need to create either:

1. An educational video for use in your subject/grade level.
2. A video that showcases a personal talent.
3. A commercial for your major.
4. A TED talk about something you are passionate about. (What is a TED talk?).
5. A new video about UGA to replace this one.
6. "Director's choice" – send me your idea for approval on or before Tuesday, March 22.

Your video should:

1. Tell a story – not simply instruct
2. Have a beginning, middle, and end
3. Identify the age of your audience (within the story or preferably on your Creativity and Innovation page that will go on your Portfolio)

You can produce fiction or non-fiction, but remember:

1. If you are writing fiction you need characters and conflict.
2. If you are writing nonfiction – your readers need to know why they should care about your topic.
3. Regardless of fiction or nonfiction – your reader should learn something.
4. The story will likely be 2-3 minutes long. Nothing bad happens if it’s a little shorter or a bit longer.

If you want to be able to create a visual of your brainstorming, try using Bubbl. Spend a few minutes getting used to the tool and then begin a brainstorming web for your story ideas. Your web might be a large cluster of different ideas for a story or you might already have an idea so your web is just laying out what you want to include in your story. However, if the technology gets in the way of your creativity – don’t use it! You might also consider using Kidspiration, Inspiration, Xmind, or Edistorm.