On This Episode of School of Talk
This episode features Dr. John Spencer. John is a former middle school teacher and current college professor on a quest to transform schools into bastions of creativity and wonder. He wants to see teachers unleash the creative potential in all of their students so that kids can be makers, designers, artists, and engineers. John explores research, interviews educators, deconstructs systems, and studies real-world examples of design thinking in action. He shares his learning in books, blog posts, journal articles, free resources, animated videos, and podcasts.
In this episode we discuss:
- Dr. John Spencer shares how he unexpectedly discovered a desire to be an educator after spending a day in the classroom. Transitioning from the non-profit world.
- John shares his passion for project-based learning (PBL), as well as simple ways educators can boost creativity and spark innovation in their classrooms.
- Where teachers can implement voice, choice, and creativity into their lessons, without making major changes to what they’re already doing. Small changes can lead to a big difference in how students think creatively and develop soft skills.
- How student-centered learning can actually free up a teacher’s time and allow them to connect with their students while simultaneously increasing student achievement, and allowing their learning to stick longer.
- How school leaders and principals can differentiate for their teachers the same way teachers differentiate for their students by offering choice.
- John discusses “failing forward” and why administrators and school leaders need to clearly give teachers permission to make mistakes.
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