Tag Archives: creativity

General, School Media Specialist

South Jr. High students learn teamwork, respect from video game creation

teamwork 5How often do you hear about video games having a positive affect on young people?

Well, it definitely had a favorable impact on a group of sixth – eighth graders at South Jr. High School, when they became creators of their own video game. The project was a collaboration involving students and teachers from South Jr. High working with an SCSU professor.

The game is titled “Save My Dragon,” and the students drew all the characters, backgrounds, and items in the game. They took inspiration from trees, clothing, nature in their backyards and the buildings in the Twin Cities. The students even created the soundtrack for the game, using recording sticks and instruments.

The article explores how the students faced challenges when it came to agreeing on artwork, and how the experience taught them to respect the ideas of others and take constructive criticism. The end result was a feeling of school pride, and the feeling that they had accomplished this game creation as a team.

Image credit: http://tinyurl.com/mg6qkck, licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

 

General, School Media Specialist

AASL Recommended App: Pixel Press Floors

pixelLast June, the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) came out with their 25 Best Apps for Teaching & Learning. The apps were chosen because they foster innovation, creativity, active participation, and collaboration.

This week we highlight the app Pixel Press Floors. This is a social gaming/problem solving app that inspires kids to create, and literally draw their own video games! The best part is they can then share them with their friends to play and critique.

The app is FREE for iOS devices and AASL recommends it for Intermediate and Secondary students. Check out the promo video below:

General

The science behind adult coloring books

photo-1453749024858-4bca89bd9edcRecently there has been an explosion of adult coloring books. Even 5 of Amazon’s current top 15 books are coloring books. More than just a fad, there seems to be some actual science behind the act of putting crayon to paper.

Jordan Gaines Lewis, a science writer and neuroscience Ph.D. student at Penn State College of Medicine, recently wrote a piece about how coloring can help with your life.

Everyday Creativity

Lewis explains that many people are finding a lack of creativity in their lives. Obviously the act of coloring can help with that, but it goes beyond the simple act of coloring. From simple decisions of what color to use, to expressing your personal style when you choose what to color next, they all help. Lewis claims “more new research has focused on how creativity, especially in the form of visual art, can improve physical health.”

Decision Fatigue

Lewis also shares how many of us are suffering from Decision Fatigue. We all have too many impactful choices to make everyday. Coloring allows us to make “a series of small, inconsequential decisions (teal or mahogany for this squiggly line?)” and may help us get a small part of self-control back after a long day.

The article is a fun read and not too long so read it now or just go and color… we won’t mind!

Image credit: https://unsplash.com/photos/1zR3WNSTnvY (Aaron Burden), licensed under CC0 1.0
Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

Need tips to stimulate or quiet the mind?

photo-1444312645910-ffa973656ebaAlthough this article was listed under the Classroom Management column on Edutopia, I see great promise here for many venues. Many of our readers are indeed teachers, but these tips and tricks could work with story time and youth groups, grandkids and maybe even with adults who have been sitting in a never-ending meeting that has drained the life out of them!

This article includes:

  • Nine simple strategies to stimulate thinking and creativity. And, for those moments of a racing mind with a thousand thoughts flying way too fast, there are also:
  • Seven techniques to calm and focus the mind. Give it a try, you might be surprised.