Channel Title: John Spencer Channel Description: I’m a former middle school teacher and current college professor on a journey to ignite creativity in every classroom. Because let's face it, our students are filled with creative potential. They just need the spark from a teacher. On this channel, you'll find: 1. Sketchnote videos that make complex ideas clear and engaging 2. Actionable maker prompts to get your students building and problem-solving 3. Writing prompts that spark imagination and get students excited about writing 4. Research-backed tutorials for creative teaching (think free professional development) In a world dominated by AI and automation, our students will need to be creative thinkers and problem-solvers. We can prepare them for the future by empowering them right now. Subscribe now and get these resources delivered straight to your inbox. Feeling overwhelmed by curriculum demands? Don't worry, these resources are designed to fit seamlessly into your existing lesson plans and standards. <video> Always Play the New Teacher Card Description: 🌟 My Journey as a New Teacher | Embracing the New Teacher Mindset 🌟 In this video, I take you through the roller coaster of my first year of teaching—the excitement, the challenges, and the overwhelming moments. From stepping into my classroom for the first time to discovering an unexpected gift from my mentor teacher, I learned valuable lessons that have shaped my teaching philosophy. 🎁 The New Teacher Card: A simple yet powerful reminder that being a teacher isn’t about perfection—it's about growth, experimentation, and embracing the glorious imperfections that make us who we are. Whether it’s navigating a chaotic classroom or dealing with the tough days, this mindset has stayed with me through every year of my teaching journey. ✨ Why the New Teacher Mindset Matters: Every year brings a new set of students, experiences, and challenges, and with them, the opportunity to innovate and grow. In this video, I share how this mindset has transformed my approach to teaching, from elementary school to the university level, and why I believe it’s crucial for educators at every stage of their careers. 🔗 Join me as I reflect on my journey and explore how we can all embrace the New Teacher Mindset to foster creativity, resilience, and continuous learning in our classrooms. #NewTeacher #TeachingJourney #Education #Mindset #Innovation #TeacherLife #ClassroomStories #Inspiration </video> <video> A Tiny Tweak I Made in Feedback That Led to Huge Results Description: In this video, I share a quick strategy I use for helping change the way we give and receive feedback. </video> <video> What a Useless Baseball Statistic Taught Me About Student Assessment Description: Educators are often asked to be data-driven and data-informed. We use the data to judge teacher performance and pull students for interventions. And yet . . . being data informed requires us to think critically about the data we use. In this short video, I compare it to one of the most useless statistics in baseball. </video> <video> Creative Habits Vs. Creative Momentum Description: If you would like to use this video in a training, please check out https://www.visualizelearning.com/ for licensing information. Description In this video, we dive deep into the importance of habits in creative work. While inspiration often gets the spotlight, the real key to success is showing up day after day, even when you don’t feel like it. But here's the catch: habits alone aren’t enough. There's an inherent flaw in the automaticity of habits – you can go into autopilot, start making small mistakes, and become inflexible, eventually hitting a plateau. So, how do you move beyond the flatline of habit? Introducing Creative Momentum – the perfect blend of daily routines and continuous skill development. Discover how combining consistent effort with intentional learning can propel you to new heights in your craft. We’ll explore how to: Create daily routines that ensure hard work and consistency. Reflect on your learning and discover new approaches. Seek out inspiration and new skills that push you beyond your comfort zone. Balance the quantity and quality of your creative work. Think of it like leveling up in a video game: start with small goals, celebrate victories, and gradually increase your efforts. By doing so, you'll experience exponential growth and reach a higher level of expertise. Join us as we break down the steps to harnessing creative momentum and transforming your habits into powerful catalysts for continual improvement. 📌 Timestamps: 0:00 Introduction 1:15 The Role of Habits in Creative Work 3:30 The Flaw in Habits Alone 5:20 What is Creative Momentum? 7:10 Combining Habits with Skill Development 9:30 Practical Tips for Building Creative Momentum 11:45 Conclusion 🔔 Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more insights on boosting your creativity and productivity! </video> <video> Writing Prompt: What Do People Misunderstand About Your Generation? Description: Here's my latest writing prompt. </video> <video> Why Apple's New Commercial Was a Crushing Failure Description: Apple's latest commercial highlights the sleek, compressed perfection of their iPad Pro, but I'd like to push back a bit. In this response video, I dive into the joy of tactile, vibrant, and imperfect experiences that can't be crushed or replaced by tech. From strumming an acoustic guitar by a campfire to hearing a grand piano play timeless tunes, let's decompress and celebrate the expansive, colorful world around us. </video> <video> When Is it OKAY for Teens to Use AI? Description: One of the most common questions I hear is, "When is it okay to use AI? When is it cheating?" The answer actual depends on the context. It depends on the subject area and the standards you are teaching. </video> <video> Here’s why I love using student surveys #classroomstories #motivation #teachingjourney Description: </video> <video> The Key to Better Student Collaboration Description: </video> <video> Self-Determination Theory: The Secret to Unlocking Better Motivation Description: If you would like to use this video in a training, please check out https://www.visualizelearning.com/ for licensing information. Description: Understanding motivation can unlock so much potential in your personal and professional life. In this video, we dive deep into the nuanced world of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation through the lens of Deci and Ryan's Self-Determination Theory (SDT). It's not a simple binary—it's a continuum that ranges from amotivation to extrinsic motivation and finally to intrinsic motivation. Join us as we explore how motivation shifts along this continuum and uncover where the concepts of controlled vs. autonomous motivation come into play. From amotivation to external regulation, introjection, identification, integration, and finally intrinsic motivation, we break down each stage and provide relatable examples to make these concepts come to life. Discover Kyle's journey from dreading running to genuinely loving it. He transitions through each stage, eventually embracing running as part of his identity. How does your motivation change over time and context? Share your own experiences in the comments below! If you find this video insightful, give it a thumbs up and don't forget to subscribe for more explorations into motivation and personal growth! </video> <video> I Almost Quit Teaching Until My Mentor Said This . . . Description: I share a quick story of a time I almost quit teaching. My mentor shared a metaphor that has stuck with me forever. </video> <video> This Pessimistic Strategy Makes Me Optimistic in Creative Work Description: </video> <video> Writing Prompt: Will AI Make Our World Better or Worse? Description: Are you ready to spark critical thinking and ignite your students' imaginations? This video provides a powerful writing prompt designed specifically for educators to explore the fascinating and complex world of artificial intelligence (AI). Dive into the future with your students as they ponder the profound impact AI will have on our society, economy, and personal lives. This engaging video serves as a catalyst for stimulating discussions, thought-provoking essays, and creative projects. Whether you're teaching English, history, social studies, or any other subject, this AI-focused prompt offers endless possibilities for exploration and learning. Get ready to empower your students to become informed and responsible digital citizens! #AIeducation #futureofAI #teachingtips #writingprompt #classroomideas </video> <video> Design a School on Mars Description: Check out BoostPBL.com for more details! We have included slideshows, student handouts, the video, and student supports. And it's totally FREE! </video> <video> Writing Prompt: Your Weakness is Now Your Superpower Description: In this writing prompt, you’ll explore the concept of turning your greatest weakness into a superpower. How would your life change if the very thing that held you back became your greatest strength? Unleash your creativity and imagination as you dive into this intriguing writing exercise. Watch as characters conquer obstacles and embrace their newfound powers in this transformational journey. Let your ideas soar as you craft a story that showcases the power of resilience and self-discovery. </video>

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Description

I’m a former middle school teacher and current college professor on a journey to ignite creativity in every classroom. Because let's face it, our students are filled with creative potential. They just need the spark from a teacher.

On this channel, you'll find:
1. Sketchnote videos that make complex ideas clear and engaging
2. Actionable maker prompts to get your students building and problem-solving
3. Writing prompts that spark imagination and get students excited about writing
4. Research-backed tutorials for creative teaching (think free professional development)

In a world dominated by AI and automation, our students will need to be creative thinkers and problem-solvers. We can prepare them for the future by empowering them right now.

Subscribe now and get these resources delivered straight to your inbox. Feeling overwhelmed by curriculum demands? Don't worry, these resources are designed to fit seamlessly into your existing lesson plans and standards.

Videos from channel