Creative Instruction

Educators have a huge responsibility in ensuring that our students are learning. As a result, we often place ourselves at the forefront of learning experiences, coordinating and giving our learners as much knowledge as possible. This approach results in students taking more passive roles in their learning process when it should ultimately center on and belong to them. In this course, participants will reflect on the importance of student-centered learning and how educators can help facilitate learners in becoming the creators and co-creators in their learning experiences. Participants will explore the value of active engagement and how prioritizing learning ownership of the learning process promotes increased success.

Creativity is a mindset which is integral to learner success. Creative skills such as curiosity, and the ability to envision new possibilities are all important skills that will support students in their future success as well as encourage passion and motivation in student's learning. In this course, participants will explore the connection between creative skills and positive learning outcomes. Strategies for nurturing creative expression and the practice of creative thinking skills will be examined and a plan for incorporating these strategies developed.

In order to help students become thriving, contributing members of society, teachers need to address their students’ executive functioning needs. Executive functions are transferable skills such as organization, time management, emotional control, and metacognition that have a significant impact on learner success. In this course, participants will investigate the importance of executive function and its impact on student learning and success and how the practice of executive functioning skills can be incorporated into the classroom. Using this knowledge, participants will design and implement strategies to create a climate of executive functioning practice into their classroom.

Community is an important part of any classroom. When teachers intentionally build relationships with students and encourage them to support one another, students are more likely to take learning risks and express their creativity. In order to encourage creativity and support creative minds, students must feel safe in the classroom community. In this course, participants will understand what creativity is and the connection between a positive collaborative classroom community and a classroom where creative thinking thrives. Participants will then plan for how to build and nurture a creative climate in their classrooms.