Journal 5: Sowing the Seeds for a More Creative Society

ISTE. Resnick, Mitchel. "Sowing the Seeds of a More Creative Society." Learning & Leading with Technology. Dec/Jan 2007/2008. <http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Publications/LL/Current_Issue/L_L_December_January_2007_2008.htm>

In our rapidly changing world, success is not based solely on what we know, but rather on our ability to think and act creatively. People must continually come up with creative solutions to unexpected problems. The challenge is to form a classroom that will focus on helping students develop as creative thinkers, to help them succeed in real life problems outside of graduation. New technologies have the potential to help people develop as creative thinkers, if they are properly designed and used.

Resnick uses two technologies called Crickets and Scratch to support the thinking spiral. In this spiral, people imagine what they want to do, create a project based on these ideas, play with their creations, share their ideas and creations with others, and reflect on their experiences, causing them to imagine new ideas and projects. This process allows children to better understand the interactive objects in the world around them, learn important science and engineering concepts, and to create and control things in the physical and online world. Students will be better prepared for learning and creating in our Creative 21st Society!

1. How do Crickets aid in developing creative thinking?

Crickets are designed to link children between the concept of technological applications (ie: automatic doors, automatic lights, stuffed animals that talk when you squeeze them, etc) and creating them. Cricket is a technological tool that allows children to connect lights, motors, and sensors to it, and then program their creations to spin, light up, and play music. Children can then get creative with their inventions and create things such as musical sculptures, interactive jewelry, and dancing creatures. One child created an alarm clock that, when prompted by sunlight coming through his window, would play music and twirl a feather onto his face. Children can be inventors and create functional products with Crickets.

2. How does Scratch aid in developing creative thinking?

Scratch gives students the abilities to create and control things in the online world. Students can create interactive stories, games, and animations, and then share them on the web. They can create reports and presentations unique to the typical PowerPoint presentation. Students must set design goals for their projects, problem-solve to fix program bugs, collaborate, cooperate, and co-teach to produce a product. Children can be the initiators of their own learning and creations!