Creativity in Schools and Presentations

     Previously in GEN 2243, my class and I had a Google Hangout session with Adam Taylor, who currently runs StiStuChat, a twitter chat between students and scientists. SciStuChat is beneficial for students because "Students can hear scientists in their own words and can see scientists as people,"as stated by Taylor. Scientists from over 150 countries have gotten involved thus far and the number is growing. One major chat was with a scientist from the U.S. Department of Energy. In order to expand our networks, Taylor recommends that we make lists and go through lists of people we follow. He also recommends that we connect using the same hashtag on Twitter. Believe it or not, Taylor even agrees that it's not about the followers, it's about the connections you make.

Adam Taylor

     Ken Robinson's uses humor and seriousness in his Ted Talk "Do Schools Kill Creativity?" to address an issue in today's education system. Creativity is very important in education, just as important as literature. Kids are not afraid to be wrong but that changes as they become adults. As we grow up, we become less creative. Robinson believes that the education system is based on academic ability not creativity, which is a huge issue. As of now, children go to school to become professors and not occupations such as dancers. He states that "intelligence is diverse, dynamic, and distinct." So, students should be able to express their intelligence in their own creative, unique ways. Robinson challenges us to rethink the principles of education and to allow creativity into the education system.

     Chapter 3 of Untangling the Web covers presentation tools other than PowerPoint. The book addresses a series of web tools that challenge the status quo and expand presentation genre. With these tools, visuals can now stand on their own with or without audio. They offer new ways to share information. Presenters first have to focus on what content they want to share and then focus on audience and delivery. Chapter 3 addresses four newer web tools. SlideShare is a social hub that allows you to upload and share your presentations with educators around the globe. Poll Everywhere is a simple response system that's intended to be used with mobile devices. VoiceThread allows users to share photos and videos and allows you to comment on them. Prezi uses different motions and layouts to make presentations way more intriguing than the typical PowerPoint.