Communication & Collaboration

http://screencast.com/t/5cjo9dyi

Creativity Contract-Images

        When it comes to photography, I consider myself a rookie. However, I find photography very interesting, and I envy those who are very skilled in this profession and hobby. Taking photos allows us to capture the moment, and possess memories that otherwise we may not be able to hold onto. By editing images, individuals can turn average photos into beautiful masterpieces, which can later be enjoyed by anyone. Prior to this project I had minimum experience in capturing and editing photos, so I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about this aspect of creativity!

       This past weekend, I traveled to Berkeley, California to visit my boyfriend Campbell, and couldn't think of a better opportunity to take pictures. My images capture moments from the entire trip; from the runway at Hartsfield-Jackson, in Atlanta, to the Golden Gate in San Fran! I took the majority of these photos on my iPhone, and edited them with the help of Instagram and Vintique. I further edited these mobile images, along with the few on my camera, with the help of iPhoto. I know that my photos are not studio worthy by any means, but are the perfect stepping stone to introduce me to this amazing skill. I hope you enjoy my photos!

Creativity Contract- Other Creativity Tools

Now, more than ever, there are so many different ways in which creativity can be inspired. Many of these inspirations are provided by the readily available creativity web tools that everyone can access. Each of these tools are unique in their own way, and can appeal to a variety of individuals. While completing this part of my project, I felt as if I wasn't doing an assignment, because I use these tools on an everyday basis.

Pinterest-

Personally, Pinterest is my favorite creativity tool to use. Since creating my Pinterest account, I have found myself doing and creating things that I was completely unaware of before. Pinterest is an online “pin-board”, in which members create theme based “boards” to collect and share images of interest to them. Users can follow friends or other individual's boards, and “re-pin” their images as well. Through this “Pinning” interaction, creativity is continuously flowing and inspiring individuals in all aspects of life. The categories to explore seem endless, and include options such as, Home décor, Women's/Men's Fashion, Food and Drink, Health and Fitness, DIY, Wedding Planning, Holidays, and much much more! Pinterest is also a very helpful tool because it not only inspires creativity, but it allows you to keep up with topics of interest, so that you can recall and reuse them at any given moment. For me, the only down fall with Pinterest is that I tend to spend too much time exploring, when I should be doing homework. Overall, Pinterst is a very helpful tool can can be used by anyone. The amount of creativity it inspires and the opportunities it can create for individuals is never ending!

Google Sites-

Google sites, was created by google as a web-page creation tool. This creativity tool allows individuals to create sites, in which multiple people can engage and manage collectively. Personally, I have grown to love Google Sites. Because of Google Sites, men and women can now create pages more easily, as it is free and very user friendly. The only start-up obstacle is simply creating a google account, which can be done in less than five minutes. Google sites can be used as an Educational, personal, or professional tool. Teachers can use this tool to inspire and engage more students at a time, as it enables everyone to access and make changes to the site, while also working together. Individuals can use Google Sites as a personal blogger, and express their thoughts, experiences, and creations for no cost. There are numerous ways to personalize your site through the many templates, themes, images, page, and text options available. Google sites is the perfect way to both inspire, and become inspired by creativity, and I encourage everyone to try it out!

Creativity Contract-Mobile Devices

Over the last few years, the iPhone has taken technology to the next level. It seems as if the iPhone is capable of anything, and because of its endless amount of apps, individuals are now capable of anything too. Apps can educate, entertain, navigate, and inspire creativity in individuals of any age group. I really enjoyed completing this part of my project because I became familiar with many helpful tools that I can now use in my day to day life. In order to appeal to many different individuals, I tried to incorporate a variety of creative apps. I hope that you enjoy these apps as much as I do!

Cards-
Apple's new “Cards” app allows individuals to create and mail unique, personalized cards right from their iPhone, iTouch, or iPad. Users can select their own pictures and text to personalize the card, and it only takes a few moments and the press of a button to send a special greeting! The app is free to download, and only costs $2.99 for recipients within the United States, and $4.99 for international recipients. This price includes postage and is super cheap considering the time, gas, and money you save to pick out a card and mail it yourself. Not to mention it is super creative and personal as it allows you to select different themes, pictures, and text for any occasion. I've only been using the “Cards” app for a short time, and I'm already in love with it. I can't wait to use it during the Holidays!

Dinner Spinner-

“Dinner Spinner”, a free app created and provided by the well known allrecipes.com, is a great way to inspire creativity in the kitchen! Not only does this app allow users to search different recipes by single ingredients, but it also enables them to shop more easily by providing them with an organized, personalized shopping list that can be updated anytime, anywhere. Individuals can find tons of new recipes by typing in a single ingredient, or by simply shaking their phone. If you have a certain ingredient, but aren't sure quiet how you want to use it, just type it in and the possibilities are endless! This is a great way for individuals to create more creative meals, and also spreads creativity by allowing users to share their recipes via facebook, twitter, and email. Being the busy college student that I am, I find this app very helpful and I use it on a regular basis!

Instagram-


Instagram is a free, photo editing app that allows even the least creative individuals, such as myself, to become in touch with their creative side. Instagram provides many different filtered effects for users to apply to their mobile photos, enabling them to turn everyday photos into simple masterpieces. Users can also “follow” friends and other creative members on Instagram, in order to view their photos, and further spread creativity. Instagram is very user friendly and only takes seconds!Personally, I love Instagram and it has quickly become my favorite app. Up until now I have never been one to take tons of pictures, and certainly didn't spend the time to edit the ones I did take. Thanks to Instagram, I now not only take photos, but I can take beautiful photos!

Vintique-
If you're already a fan of Instagram, then you're sure to love Vintique! Vintique is also a photo editing app that allows users to simply edit photos within seconds, no matter their level of skill in photography. Vintique provides a vintage touch to photos, by providing 32 vintage filters and many adjustment options, such as gamma, hue, exposure, and vibrance. The app only costs $0.99, and can take Instagram masterpieces one step further! Individuals can also share their photos via Facebook, Twitter, and email. The app is very user friendly and is sure to inspire creativity in anyone. I've only been using Vintique for a few weeks now, but I already love it, and I recommend anyone who is interested in photography what so ever to download this awesome app now!

Errands- To Do List-

The Errands-To Do List app is the perfect way to get creative while also being very productive! This app is a handy, personalized task manager that allows individuals to become organized and stay on top of their everyday tasks. Where as average to-do list are often very bland and boring, Errands to Do List is the complete opposite. With this app, users can customize folders, star folders and check them off, upload images to represent tasks and folders, create monthly calendars, mail folders/tasks, and much more. It's free, very easy to use, and appeals to all ages. Errands-To Do List is the perfect way to incorporate creativity into an area that tends to lack!

Creativity & Innovation

This is the digital story project that Alex and I made. Alex and I are in the same Health class this semester in which we have to do a presentation on a rising health issue. Because of this, we decided to make our digital story an educational piece about Intimate Partner Violence.

Creativitiy 9/30

This past Sunday my team opened our season with a huge win against rivals Texas A&M. Each of these pictures show different angles of my team, and how it takes everyone of us and every aspect to get that W! 

Learning Enviornment

My classroom layout was specifically designed to meet the needs of Elementary level students, especially Kindergarten through Second grades. I chose a large room with a flowing layout and many double panel windows so that the children and I can both receive plenty of natural sunlight throughout the day. The desks are located in the center of the room in pods so that the kids can interact with their peers. They are also all placed facing the projector screen so that everyone can learn and be taught more easily. To the right of the room is a Computer Station with three computers available to students. To the left is the projection screen and easel. In the back right corner I chose a Reading Rug for story time and project sharing. In this corner there is an L-shaped couch for extra seating, and also book cases with numerous books available to the children. In the back left corner is my desk, so that I can have my eyes on the classroom and the children at all times. There is also plenty of storage for myself and the student's belongings and tools. Oh, and can't forget about the class pet!

I chose the lay out of the room because of how open and bright it is. I like plenty of space and everyone seated in one direction so that they can easily focus on where I am teaching. We will be reading a lot and sharing a lot of projects that we complete so I wanted a nice area for this with plenty of space and a homey touch. The three computers will be used a lot by the students, and will help them become accustomed to technology, which will be demanded by them in the near future. I would like the atmosphere of my classroom to be very peaceful and welcoming to the children so that they can feel at home and comfortable while they are learning. I plan to be very one on one with the kids, and also somewhat old fashioned. I like teaching and using some technology but I will not solely base my teaching style or curriculum off of it. I think it is necessary to incorporate both. I am very excited about my classroom and hope that the children will be just as enthusiastic as I am!

Four Dimensions of Creativity

             The four dimensions that J.P. Guilford used to describe creativity are fluency, flexibility, originality, and elaboration. Among these four dimensions, I personally find myself struggling with Fluency the most. Fluency is known as “the ability to generate many ideas, in order to loosen up the creative wheels.” I often do not struggle with originality, and am able to produce unique, one of a kind ideas, but when it comes to brainstorming in order to have a variety of creative options, I usually find myself being limited to one or two options. Fluency is a very important dimension of creativity, as it is the very first step. By brainstorming with classmates, group members, peers, etc., ideas are shared among the group, allowing for others to branch off from these thoughts as well. I believe I have the hardest time with this dimension because I am not a naturally creative person, and once I come up with an idea, I tend to stick with that one idea. In EDIT 2000, we use the “Chalk Talk” tool in order to create fluency among the class and generate numerous ideas. “Chalk Talk” also allows our class to elaborate upon our ideas and others', which is the fourth dimension of Creativity. By Blogging and building our own personal google site, we are applying Originality and Flexibility. When we build these sites, it reflects our personalities, and allows us to be as original and creative as we like. By viewing other individual's blogs and sites, we are often able to see the world in a different light, thus applying Flexibility to creativity. Every single one of the creativity tools listed in this article could be extremely beneficial to teachers and students. By using these resources, teachers can learn and incorporate outside knowledge and techniques into their classroom, while also potentially sparking creativity within themselves.

My Monday Morning Creative Endeavor

When describing myself to others, I have never used the word "creative." Even in today's world with the help of Pinterest I struggle more than the average individual. I think that being creative is a wonderful quality to have, and I envy those who are constantly doing and creating unique things as if it were nothing to them. I recently went out on a limb and took a trip to Hobby Lobby, where I bought different size canvases, paint, and paintbrushes. When we were asked to wake up Monday and do something creative, it didn't take me long to decide that I was going to paint something. Although what did take me forever, was deciding exactly what I wanted to paint! I finally stuck with the idea of a street sign. Not just a regular street sign though; Telegraph Avenue, in Berkeley, California. At first this may sound bizarre, but my boyfriend, Campbell, just recently transferred to UC Berkeley to play tennis. I thought his new studio apartment needed a girl's touch, and what better way to touch it up with, than a personal piece of artwork from me. I chose this specific street because of it's historical significance and unique vibe that it gives to all who walk, shop, eat, work, and drive on it. Located in the bay, the entire city of Berkeley is known for its hippy vibe, especially Telegraph Avenue, where many 1960's and 1970's protest took place. For this reason, I painted the background of the canvas tie-dye. I attempted this by combining a series of different colors in a flowing flower like pattern. It isn't standard "tie-dye" but you get the picture. I then painted the street sign in blue and yellow, which is exactly how it appears  in person. The painting turned out exactly how I planned and I was ecstatic. I didn't have to make a second trip to Hobby Lobby, and instead made a trip to UPS!

Horizon Report Response

In my opinion, some of the trends, challenges, and future technologies are already impacting education, and will only continue to impact them in the near future. As a college student, I am currently completing my sixteenth year of school (K-Undergrad), and the changes that have occurred are already immense. These new trends allow us to access our work no matter where we are, what time it is, or what we're doing. Geek squads are being replaced by cloud and online tutorials, chalkboards are being replaced by google docs, and the value of face to face learning is diminishing as individuals seek the more convenient, online route to their degrees. Many of these trends are very valuable to the learning experience and make learning trendy and accessible. However, these trends are ever changing and we are becoming more and more dependent on these technologies. 21^st century classrooms will need to change in order to adjust and accommodate to these technologies. In fact, they are already changing and shaping around them. My mother is an elementary school teacher and I see these changes being implemented more each school year. These changes are not only seen in the physical structure of the classroom, such as the additions of promethium smart boards, I-pads/tablets, laptop computers, etc., but also through the learning styles and texts. To be able to host such technologies, my mom has had to complete many different workshops and tutorials in order to learn the ways of these trends and teach them to her students. Just as these current trends have manifested change in the classroom, the future technologies will do just the same. I believe that in order to use these technologies and see them displayed successfully, we will have to continue altering our education strategies and slowly work them into our every day lives. 

The Time I Learned to Play Tennis

I will never forget the time I learned how to play tennis. This experience distinctly stands out to me because of how awful I was at first, and how humorous it was to those around me. My boyfriend, Campbell, was on the Men's tennis team here at the University of Georgia, and for the longest time wanted me to learn so that we could start playing together. Throughout high school I played nearly every sport possible, however, tennis was completely new to me. One Saturday last Spring I finally got the courage to play with him. We went to the University's tennis complex, which in itself was intimidating enough. He started my lesson by showing me how to hold and swing the racket. He taught me the basics, such as my forehand, backhand, and how to move well around the court. Once I started to grasp the basics we slowly started hitting the ball back and forth. He took it very easy with me, and at first I seemed to be getting the hang of it and doing well for a beginner. However, I quickly started to fall apart, and the ball seemed to go anywhere but where I intended. I became frustrated as I began launching every single ball into the stadium, and our game of tennis spiraled into a softball game. The frustration only worsened as a few of his teammates showed up to watch and I became extremely embarrassed. Even though I was somewhat of a poor sport, Campbell was extremely patient and tried starting back from the basics again. This really helped and I was able to make some improvements. After a short session of light hitting, we decided to table our tennis date and try again another day. Since my first lesson, Campbell has given me a few more, and I'm slowly becoming more comfortable playing with him. Tennis can be a very hard sport to learn and can take a lot of practice to even become decent at. Knowing this now, I am not so easily frustrated, and instead have a great time playing and learning the game!