Sunday, March 9, 2008

Create-teeth Buzz


The bus broke down right before my church gate on a Sunday morning. NOte the flat tyres in the front. Just like the frustrations of many- road users, passengers, church goers, etc, the very eye-catching ad does no help to make people think right or feel good. I seek then to demystify the negative perceptions of creativity, but to reveal in a personal way a tangible value of how creativity makes a big difference in everything.

1) Why "Create-teeth" (yes, creative it is)?
There are extremes of perception with regard to Creativity: some people are simple ignorant or feign "atas" that creativity is a word that is either too simplistic or too 'fluffy' to talk about? Others talk about being creative all the time; but at times, I wonder if they got it right; others feel that Innovation may be a better word since it translates to something that is of greater value in terms of process disign or product creation; while some simply don't see a need to be creative.

Thus, here is why "create-teeth" was created: I feel that for people to know about creativity- it needs first to spoken-not just articulated verbally, but to start to face the issue. Just like when people are angry, they may be unknowingly grinding their teeth. Likewise, there is a need to boldy handle issues of creativity and get people starting to using a common language. The heart of understanding is commununication. Families break down due to lack of communication, wars break out due to lack of understanding. For people to start immersing in the creative spirit of working and living together, the creative environment needs be open to discuss issues. Even those that are seemingly challenging or disputable.

2) Why "buzz"?
I chanced upon this entry in another blog- 'Didactics of Microlearning'in Connnectivism (Blog-http://connectivism.ca/blog/2007/12/didactics_of_microlearning.html) I quote: 'Writing a journal article, book, or book chapter, is concerned with presenting what one knows. Writing in informal spaces (such as a blog) is concerned with inviting others to join in an exploration of understanding a phenomenon not yet fully known.' It concisely describes why people wants and needs to be heard by leveraging technology as the powerful engine to "break down the walls". As an educator, I am increasingly aware that our digital native kids are constantly sharing information on the web. Just as I am right now in COpenhagen, Denmark @ 2.15am, I have in the past 15 minutes 6 different students inviting me to chat with them through msn (Singapore 9.15am). As the classroom doors are increasingly become more permeable (yes, I miss teaching the phospholipid bilayer of cell membranes ) at times I am wondering if teachers ourselves are living in a state of denial- that the technology and learning can't really mix? I guess it will take a generation of Singapore teachers to start embracing technology to 'design learning when learners may adopt multiple paths and approaches to content and curriculum? How can we achieve centralized learning aims in decentralized environments?'

1 comment:

Unknown said...

This new blog was started when I arrived in Copenhagen on 9th March. On retrospection, I understand why the Innolab journey so meaningful and significant.

It makes sense for both senior management and all staff to look into how an organisation explore doing things differently, for the better. I am beginning to realise that it takes courage to embark on a process of rethinking our fundamental role and behaviour, and to dare to initiate large-scale organisational changes.

Often, inspiration for new routes and solutions can be found in other parts of the public sector, in the private sector, or in other countries. And thus kudos to this fabulous study trip and the great company of innolabbers!