u05a1 – Discussion with a Student about Creativity and Technology
I teach first grade. When I read that we were to ask our students about the role of creativity in the classroom for this week’s assignment I thought I probably would not be able to get a very good answer from a first grader. I was, however, pleasantly surprised. I decided to ask my most talkative student. I posed the question at her level. The following paragraphs discuss what she had to say about creativity and technology in our classroom.
We are only 6 weeks into school and kindergarten is still pretty fresh in my student’s mind. The particular child I asked stated that she likes that she gets to read lots of books in first grade and likes that they get to take tests about the books on the class iPads. The child stated that they did not get to do that in kindergarten until the end of the year and she’s glad she gets to take the tests starting at the beginning of the year in first grade. She said she also really likes that I let the class write stories and draw during free time and that I let the students read the stories to the class and share their drawings. She also stated that she likes that we have iPads for all the kids to use and that I let the students use the iPads during free time. She specifically stated that she likes exploring google earth and drawing in the art app on the iPads. She also likes that I let the class take pictures of each other with the iPads. The last thing she stated that she likes is when I teach lessons using the apple tv, projector and the screen. She said she likes learning by watching things on the screen.
One thing she wishes were different is that they had more play time. She said in kindergarten they rested for a few minutes after lunch and then they played until go home time. She misses the after rest free play. Another thing she wishes is that I would allow the students to make movies with the iPads. She stated that her friend is in first grade at another school and that her friend’s teacher lets the students make movies using iPads. Her final wish was that I would allow the class to watch more movies at school that were for fun and not just for learning.
I really enjoyed the conversation with my student. It was fun seeing first grade through her eyes. I never thought to ask my students what they enjoy and what they wish was different. It was a very enlightening discussion. As the year goes on, I plan on asking each student what they like and what they wish could change. Some of the things they might say I won’t have any control over, but some of the things I will. By being aware of the viewpoints of my students I can make learning much more fun for everyone.
