Content Creation

After email conversations with my high school students (live classes are over), I must say that they are advocates for digital media and technology, considering they are online learners!  They all agree that utilizing digital media in the classroom fosters creativity and makes lessons and assignments/assessments so much more meaningful and interesting.  As stated by Tabitha (Intermediate student), “With a plain and traditional school assignment, there are not many creative outlets, which can easily lead to utter boredom when completing it.  However, with digital media, that all changes.  I appreciate how it allows us as students to channel our creativity into something worthwhile, which in turn keeps us interested and, for some of us, even makes us look forward to the next assignment.”  I also had another student echo the sentiment of how he was eager to see what new thing was assigned for the week.  It is safe to say that the utilization of digital media and technological tools in the classroom has sparked an enthusiasm for learning for these students! 

However, not only assigning creative assignments is important, but presenting information in innovative and exciting ways is also very critical in the classroom.  We need to grab and hold our students’ attention, so important concepts can be taught and modeled.  Again, with traditional lectures, many students lose interest and “zone out.”  Creative lessons can be created using a variety of tools and programs, such as Voki, PowerPoint, Prezi, Glogster, etc.  I am certain our students could even add to the list!

One of my Honors students, Michael, gave props to the aforementioned Glog to which he was just introduced this school year.  “I must have used the Glog software 20 or more times this year for various school projects.  It allowed me to upload pictures of myself and projects, movies that I created using moviemaker software, and even songs that I created using One Note software.”  He mentioned various subjects for which digital media and technological tools fostered and enhanced his creativity – Music Appreciation, History, and English.  He also noted that not only does this integration make school more fun, but “When I enter the workplace, I will be more familiar with Microsoft Office Suite:  Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, and One Note.  While my peers struggle to learn technology I grew up with, my mind will be free to wander and that is where creativity begins.  It is the idle mind that expands creativity.”  What insight from a passionate learner! 

I did have an Honors student voice some concern about how an overuse of technology in the classroom can hinder creativity.  Tori explains, “For example, if students are always given an assignment that involves making a PowerPoint/video and never writing a paper, their creative writing skills will never develop properly.”  Being an English teacher, I share her concern.  However, even with the integration of digital media and technology, I believe we can develop and hone our writing skills.  Of course, writing cannot be eliminated from the curriculum; writing skills would need to be discussed and modeled.  Another concern would be outdated computers and programs, but antiquated tools are better than none at all!  I had another student wish mobile platforms were more widely supported in our online learning environment, but he is optimistic that this will change in the future. 

Although there are a few concerns about digital media and creativity, the majority of students would agree that creativity plays a major role in their education.  With the integration of digital media and technological tools, students are able to creatively express their knowledge in a fun, relevant, and meaningful way.  It is our job as teachers to provide our students of all ages the opportunities to explore their creativity.  According to Gardner, “…the challenge to the educator is to keep alive the mind and the sensibility of the young child” (Gardner, 2007, p.84).  If students are given the tools and taught how to use them safely and effectively, the possibilities are endless!  Michael says it best with one of his statements:  In a virtual environment, the sky isn’t the limit because the limits are only those the students set for himself or herself. 

Gardner, H.  (2007).  Five minds for the future.  Boston:  Harvard Business School Press.