Creativity Fix at MassCUE from Peter Reynolds
Creativity is messy, doodling is good. Peter Reynolds, nominated entrepreneur of the year from fablevision has given 16 year olds everywhere the ultimate excuse (especially the one sitting in a messy room upstairs at my house).
I heard the good news during my massCUE conference highlight- a session with Peter Reynolds talking about creativity and imagination and by default-education.
Peter doodled on a wacom bamboo tablet in flash while talking to a crowd of over 100. It was certainly more interesting and off-the-cuff than watching a regular powerpoint presentation.
Peter recalled how painful it is to watch anyone trying to draw with a mouse, or with a trackpad and does recommend educators provide tablets for students to draw with. Showing how math is behind all computer art, after demonstrating the pressure sensitivity of the tablet while in paint mode, he then zoomed in and showed the vector points of the brushstroke, and neatly segued into the story of how his 7th grade math teacher was extraordinary for recognizing his strengths. How he concentrated on bending the curriculum around him (Peter), instead of bending him around the curriculum.
Favorite Quotes
“give the test a rest” – allow time for play and creativity. It made me wonder how effective it would be to allow students to reflect on lessons or units by giving them time to doodle. Seems to tie in with the annotated reading I saw students creating at the New Media Literacies Conference at MIT.
“if you’re an adult and can’t draw you haven’t been hanging out with me (Peter Reynolds) enough” – if you get the chance to see Peter talk at his many book signings, workshops and interviews, go and hang out, draw again, doodle.
Fablevision Generosity
The fablevision website offers so much for free for educators, Peter jokes that he has to rely on his twin to remind him not to give it all away or they won’t have a company, but check into a few of the highlights…
- Posters for your classroom drawn by Peter
- His book The North Star is free to read online
- Read 17 tips for a creative life-long learning journey online or download it to your computer
Storytelling
As twitter has become my main source of new tips and tools, I now attend conferences looking for new tips and tools, yes, but more lately I am looking to have the opportunity to listen to great storytellers. I want to watch and learn how they get their message across. This is the skill I need to learn as a technology integrator and professional development instructor. Peter Reynolds is a great storyteller.
Would love to be able to pull off a presentation using a tablet, a blank screen and a few ideas to doodle with? Something to practice.
Image from fablevision clipart collection
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Great article and links! Thanks for sharing. Good luck on your next presentation using a tablet!
Deb