REFLECTION 2: A name: SPARK

In Papert's Situating constructionism, he states that "Constructionism--the N word as opposed to the V word--shares constructivism's connotation of learning as "building knowledge structures" irrespective of the circumstances of the learning. It then adds the idea that this happens especially felicitously in a context where the learner is consciously engaged in constructing a public entity, whether it's a sand castle on the beach or a theory of the universe" .

Truly this is the key component of creativity. One of the means to engaging creativity is through creating (building/constructing) something (a book, a story, a painting, a new pair of shoes, a gourmet dinner, a new world view).

As Papert continues with, "although it is conceivable that science may one day show that there is a "best way," no such conclusion seems to be on the horizon. Moreover, even if there were, individuals might prefer to think in their own way rather than in the "best way." Now one can make two kinds of scientific claim for constructionism. "

My experience has been (and seeing the experience of other creative people) that much as a painter layers paint onto a canvas to create an image, people build their creative endeavors. Writers may proof, edit & revise; photographers may change lens or reprint; painters may completely rework the painting; musicians may re-record or change parts of the melody. It seems to be that the creative process
theory follows very much along constructionism. However, EXACTLY how each artist does it is complete unique; it is their response to their unique situation and enviroment.

PROJECT PROGRESS:
Well, my project now has a name and a few artists. SPARK. I haven't figured out how I can change that into an acronym. Something P Artist R K? Who knows. ;)
Also, I originally thought my project would be imovie for the video clips, but I have now decided to try windows movie maker. I have never used that before, so it will be a good tool. In the first part of the gaming SIG (I need to back up for a moment in discussing the readings and class stuff) we talked about creating games using powerpoint and hot potatoes as well as some of the elements of games (roles, rules, story, etc.) We talked about what is a game... also in the second session we talked about what is a story... and all of those elements related to educational/instructional design.

My project isn't really going to be game oriented, but I can see how elements of the story, as well as roles, may play apart in my project... and after all, wouldn't it seem that the structure of a project or the framework of a website, really "the rules"? Anything beyond is definitely out of bounds, at least in the constructs of a confined project....

Reference: Papert, S. (1991). Situating constructionism. In I. Harel & S. Papert (Eds.), Constructionism, (pp. 1-11). Norwood, NJ: Ablex.

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