Journal 6

Vaidyanathan, S. (2012, Mar. - Apr.). Foster in Creativity and Innovation Through Technology. Learning and leading with Technology, 39, 24-27. Retrieved March 26, 2012, from http://www.learningandleading-digital.com/learning_leading/20120304?pg=27#pg26




I found the article both interesting and informative. Comparing it to the article If You Give a Kid a Video Camera, by Laurie Campbell, both Campbell and Vaidyanathan portray a similar message to the reader. Vaidyanathan tells us that through the use of digital technology and using free software, her students were able to foster creativity, and she provided us with examples of how this tool has inspired learning outside of the classroom. Comparing the article again, only this time to Ken Robinson's talk informative talk on TED, both Robinson and Vaidyanathan express the importance of mistakes needing to be portrayed as positive lessons rather than wrong. Vaidyanathan states that she can see the children visibly relax when they find the undo button, and she goes on to state "They (her students) are no longer worried about making mistakes, because they can always correct them or just start over again". I agree fully with Vaidyanathan, and I can remember being the same age as her students and the fear of making a mistake can be terrifying, and as a result I didn't speak up as much as I should have for fear of failing.


Q1: Can I see myself using these tools in the classroom?


I plan on teaching high school history, and while I don't think creating 3D designs can be all that useful to the standard curriculum, I could however find some way to incorporate the creation of a game that revolves around key terms for the week or one that deals with geography. I feel that when you turn learning into a game, it is a lot easier to get involved if you're having fun with it.


Q2: While the article portrays positive feedback from parents and kids, what are some potential hiccups that could be a problem?


Some kids might not have access to a computer at home, however, the library at school and even the local public library have computers with free access to the internet and so if they really wanted to learn beyond the classroom, it needs to be emphasized that these options are open to them.