Tch Talks 22: Intention & Critical Creativity in the Classroom

What is Critical Creativity?
To Dan Ryder and Amy Burval, critical creativity is “students using creative expression to demonstrate deeper thinking and the nuances of understanding content.” It's a portmanteau of sorts, which has the potential to turn ideas into action and push your students toward deeper learning and meaningful understanding.
Dan and Amy believe that, “When students make connections, transform knowledge, and articulate the reasons behind their creative choices, learning becomes more sticky, meaningful, and authentic.” Articulation of creative reasoning is key, because as students learn the power of explanation, rationale, and intentionality, they shift from passive pupils along for the ride to active drivers of their own learning. And the best part of this shift is that it occurs in the midst of purposeful play.
In this episode of Tch Talks, Dan Ryder, Education Director of the Success and Innovation Center at Mt. Blue High School in Farmington, Maine, joins us to talk about his and Amy's new book, Intention: Critical Creativity in the Classroom, and how a little rigorous whimsy can help you transform learning in your classroom right now.
Dan Ryder
Dan Ryder is Education Director of the Success and Innovation Center at Mt. Blue High School in Farmington, Maine. An idea wrangler, design thinker, improviser, and high school ELA teacher, Dan has taught nearly 20 years at Mt. Blue Campus. His students run WickedFocus.com, a Real World Scholars EdCorps classroom-based 3D printing company that makes fidgets for students experiencing stress and anxiety. He directs and performs improv comedy, is an ambassador for FlipGrid, works with Sevenzo.org, is a member of the Apple Distinguished Educator Class of 2017, and is a 2017 recipient of the ACTEM Achieve Award, Maine's ISTE-affiliated recognition for contributions to educational technology in Maine. Dan is co-author with Amy Burvall of the book, “Intention: Critical Creativity in the Classroom,” from EdTechTeam Press. Connect with Dan on Twitter: @WickedDecent. 
Related Resources:
Intention: Critical Creativity in the Classroom by Amy Burval and Dan Ryder
Follow @IntentionBook on Twitter
Follow #IntentionBookChat on Twitter
Follow #RigorousWhimsy on Twitter
Follow the Success and Innovation Center at Mt. Blue Campus on Facebook
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