The Creative Classroom with John Spencer

In my latest podcast episode, I interview Samantha Marsden, who shares how drama and improve strategies can help students gain creative confidence, improve their communication skills, and engage in iterative thinking. Her new book Acting Games for Improv is out and I highly recommend it.... The post Sam Marsden on the Value of Improv Games to Spark Creative Thinking appeared first on John Spencer.

In this week’s podcast episode, I talk to Ian Clawson about creative collaboration. In this interview, I ask him about tools for co-creation and what it looks like to create a culture where people give one another vital creative feedback. He has a book he... The post Ian Clawson on the Power of Co-Creation and Creativity appeared first on John Spencer.

Our students will inhabit an unpredictable world. With machine learning and other advanced forms of AI, students will need to become really good at what AI can’t do and really different with what can do. They will need to be adaptable as they navigate the... The post 7 Tips for Getting Started with Student Choice in the Classroom appeared first on John Spencer.

In this episode, Betsy Potash shares how to use hexagonal thinking to improve classroom discussions. She walks you through some of the potential applications at various grade levels with different subject areas. Listen to the Podcast If you enjoy this blog but you’d like to... The post Betsy Potash Shares How to Use Hexagonal Thinking to Improve Discussions appeared first on John Spencer.

When I was a senior in high school, our AP Government teacher chose not to give us a final exam for the end of the first semester. Instead, we would create our own portfolios. Our portfolios had to include what we had learned and what... The post Getting Started with Student Portfolio Projects appeared first on John Spencer.

I’ve often written about the power of a launch. However, there’s also a place for self-initiated creative work where students engage in creativity with an “audience of one.” Here, they experience the permission to try experiment and work through multiple iterations. They find their creative... The post Beyond the Audience: Why Students Need to Embrace Self-Initiated Creativity appeared first on John Spencer.

In this week’s episode I interview Cara Zelas, the founder of Big World of Little Dude. Together we explore the crucial topics of emotional support dogs in schools, social-emotional learning, and enhancing student soft skills. Join us as we delve into practical strategies and the... The post Cara Zelas on SEL, Emotional Support Dogs, and the Big World of Little Dude appeared first on John Spencer.

Over the last year, I’ve had the opportunity to work with educators who are incorporating generative A.I. into their classroom practice. Whether it’s working with the pre-service teachers at my university or in working with current teachers in the workshops and professional development I lead,... The post The FACTS Cycle for Prompt Engineering appeared first on John Spencer.

Embarking on a creative journey often feels like a leap into the unknown, with self-doubt lurking at every corner. In this article and podcast, we explore the gritty reality of learning a new creative skill. I share my own story of starting an apparel project... The post Ten Strategies to Crush Self-Doubt in Creative Work appeared first on John Spencer.

In this week’s episode, I interview Dr. Katie Novak. She shares the basics of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and how to make it work in a K-12 setting. I gained so many key insights from this interview and I hope you find it as... The post Katie Novak on How to Make Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Work in Your School appeared first on John Spencer.