Summary: <a href="https://www.teachingchannel.org/blog/categories/tch-talks/" target="_blank" rel="attachment wp-att-286135"></a> What is Critical Creativity? To <a href="http://www.danryder207.com/" target="_blank">Dan Ryder</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/amyburvall" target="_blank">Amy Burval</a>, 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. On this episode of Tch Talks, Dan Ryder, Education Director of the <a href="https://medium.com/@WickedDecent/the-compass-the-canvas-launching-the-success-innovation-center-at-mt-blue-campus-bd761a71fa1" target="_blank">Success and Innovation Center</a> at <a href="https://sites.google.com/a/mtbluersd.org/mt-blue-hs/" target="_blank">Mt. Blue High School</a> in Farmington, Maine, joins us to talk about his and Amy's new book, <a href="http://amzn.to/2CLTUMJ" target="_blank">Intention: Critical Creativity in the Classroom</a>, 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 <a href="https://medium.com/@WickedDecent/the-compass-the-canvas-launching-the-success-innovation-center-at-mt-blue-campus-bd761a71fa1" target="_blank">Success and Innovation Center</a> at <a href="https://sites.google.com/a/mtbluersd.org/mt-blue-hs/" target="_blank">Mt. Blue High School</a> 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 <a href="http://shop.meet-ed.org/store/wicked-focus" target="_blank">WickedFocus.com</a>, a Real World Scholars EdCorps classroom-based 3D printing company that makes fidgets for students experiencing stress and anxiety. He directs and performs <a href="http://teachersloungemafia.wixsite.com/teachersloungemafia" target="_blank">improv comedy</a>, is an ambassador for <a href="https://info.flipgrid.com/" target="_blank">FlipGrid</a>, works with <a href="https://www.sevenzo.org/" target="_blank">Sevenzo.org</a>, 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 <a href="https://twitter.com/amyburvall" target="_blank">Amy Burvall</a> of the book, “Intention: Critical Creativity in the Classroom,” from EdTechTeam Press. Connect with Dan on Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/WickedDecent" target="_blank">@WickedDecent</a>. Related Resources: <a href="http://amzn.to/2CLTUMJ" target="_blank">Intention: Critical Creativity in the Classroom</a> by Amy Burval and Dan Ryder Follow <a href="https://twitter.com/IntentionBook" target="_blank">@IntentionBook</a> on Twitter Follow <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/intentionthebookchat?f=tweets&vertical=default&src=hash" target="_blank">#IntentionBookChat</a> on Twitter Follow <a href="https://twitter.com/search?f=tweets&vertical=default&q=%23rigorouswhimsy&src=typd" target="_blank">#RigorousWhimsy</a> on Twitter Follow the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SICMBC" target="_blank">Success and Innovation Center </a>at Mt. Blue Campus on Facebook Website: <a href="https://xwing212.wixsite."></a>
