Education doesn’t have to be boring. In fact, the classroom is one of the greatest assets we have in fostering creativity in students. In a homeschooling in PA setting, this may prove to be a little more challenging. You don’t have the ability to hang up cool, inspirational posters and vibrant colors in a virtual classroom, but with these three tips, you can help foster creativity through the web.
Introduce Unconventional Learning Materials and Methods
Being in a cyber charter school setting is already an unconventional learning method in itself. However, where traditional schools are still struggling to integrate technology into their lesson plans, you have the leg up. You and your students are constantly exposed to the ever-evolving world of technology. Use this to your advantage and incorporate multimedia into your curriculum. Ted Talks are a great way to foster creativity while also reinforcing the ideas in the lesson plan. There are a variety of other sites that you can use to teach students to think outside of the box.
Engage and Encourage Discussions
Being in an online environment, communication may feel limited. You’re already at a slight disadvantage with the limited personal contact between student and teacher. Since you are digitally connected, that still leaves room to engage your students in discussion. Open up “after class” dialogues that help students communicate with one another and the teacher to further discuss the ideas in the lesson plan. This not only reinforces the lesson but also gives students the opportunity to express their ideas and think critically.
Allow Time for Visual Reflection
Another great method for fostering creativity in an online environment is to allow students the opportunity to reflect visually on the lesson. Developing online reflective activities gives students the ability to sit and reflect internally on the lessons. This then enhances their ability to become creative in a contextual sense. Create a virtual board to post these visual activities for all students to see.
Introduce Unconventional Learning Materials and Methods
Being in a cyber school setting is already an unconventional learning method in itself. However, where traditional schools are still struggling to integrate technology into their lesson plans, you have the leg up. You and your students are constantly exposed to the ever-evolving world of technology. Use this to your advantage and incorporate multimedia into your curriculum. Ted Talks are a great way to foster creativity while also reinforcing the ideas in the lesson plan. There are a variety of other sites that you can use to teach students to think outside of the box.
Engage and Encourage Discussions
Being in an online environment, communication may feel limited. You’re already at a slight disadvantage with the limited personal contact between student and teacher. Since you are digitally connected, that still leaves room to engage your students in discussion. Open up “after class” dialogues that help students communicate with one another and the teacher to further discuss the ideas in the lesson plan. This not only reinforces the lesson but also gives students the opportunity to express their ideas and think critically.
