Members Michelle Martineau

Aug 31 2008: I am teaching a creative technology course in which students can determine how they want to create with technology. I love this talk because I've seen similar results in my rural classroom. When presented with a free choice of what to do with technology students flourish! Currently my students are creating a website for their high school's sports teams. They came up the idea, the design, and the elements. My role is advocate, coach, and mentor. The students set goals and determine how best I can evaluate and assess their work (grading is based on acheivement, effort, creativity, participation, and completion of goals!). My students have set high standards for themselves which I feel will drive them to success.

Jul 4 2008: As I teacher I felt Sir Ken Robinson's talk hit the mark. It was funny and inspiring..I hope there are more talks of this nature.

Jul 4 2008: As an educator I applaud Sir Robinson for his insightful remarks. I am happy to report that teacher education is headed in the direction of fostering student creativity and decompartmentalizing knowledge (at least here at the University of Montana it is). Pedagogy is becoming less and less about rote memorization and rehearsal of facts and more about each individual student.

Although teacher education is heading in the right direction it is time the members of TED begin focusing on what we should do about the No Child Left Behind Act which stifles creativity and authentic assessment. It is very important we ensure an equal opportunity for all, but how can we do that without equally squandering our students abilties and critical thinking skills?