So to prepare for Edcamp, some of us are blogging about creativity and spreading the word in advance of the event. What was so funny about that is how everyone expressed their creative side. Some wrote poems, others talked about their foray into painting or digital media. It was so inspiring to read. By those definitions, though, I'm one of the least creative people on the planet.
That said, when it comes to my work, I'm considered the nut job on campus. I honestly don't think I have any more wall space after it was taken up with permanent whiteboards, removable whiteboard posters, concept maps, and even post-its. My colleagues know when they can pop in and interrupt and when I'm so zoned into a project I wouldn't hear them if the building were on fire.
Some projects bring about that creativity more than others, though. Creating learning experiences outside of a standard 3 credit hour class is definitely the most fun. One such project this week has completely derailed everything else I'm supposed to be doing (a common side effect of the creative process). The dedicated semester topic for Fall at Fontbonne is "The future". Creating a class on the future of education has brought about a serious dose of the crazy in me. Textbook? What is that? Teacher-created assignment list? Pass. Grades? Who cares?
No, this one will set out to identify a serious problem in education AND solve it. When we solve it (using technology, social media, and the design thinking process) to the standard of success we have collectively identified, students get the credit and I get paid. Didn't solve it? Keep going. End of story. Now...how to package this so it sounds like a great idea and not the dribble of a mad woman.
Guess it's back to those whiteboards.
