The Creative Classroom with John Spencer https://spencereducation.com/category/podcast/ John Spencer is passionate about seeing schools embrace creativity and design thinking. In this podcast, he explores the intersection of creative thinking and student learning. Fri, 17 Apr 2026 16:00:02 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://spencereducation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/cropped-icon-copy-32x32.png Podcast Archives - Spencer Education https://spencereducation.com/category/podcast/ 32 32 noCopyright 2024, Spencer Creative Servicescreativity,education,design,thinking,student,engagement,teaching,learning,K12,education,collegeI want to see teachers transform classrooms into spaces of creativity and wonder. So, here's where I explore what it means to make this a reality. I want to see teachers transform classrooms into spaces of creativity and wonder. So, here's where I explore what it means to make this a reality. John Spencerjohn@spencerauthor.comJohn Spencer Contextual Thinking is Becoming Vital in the Age of AI https://spencereducation.com/contextual-thinking/ https://spencereducation.com/contextual-thinking/#respond Fri, 17 Apr 2026 04:46:56 +0000 https://spencereducation.com/?p=66850 Authentic learning has always required a connection to a real context. However, in a generative age, where AI cannot “read the room,” contextual thinking has become more important than ever. In this article and podcast episode, I explore the implications of this and share six...

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]]> https://spencereducation.com/contextual-thinking/feed/ 0 john@spencerauthor.com (John Spencer)noAuthentic learning has always required a connection to a real context. However, in a generative age, where AI cannot “read the room,” contextual thinking has become more important than ever. In this article and podcast episode, I explore the implications of this and share six... The post Contextual Thinking is Becoming Vital in the Age of AI appeared first on Spencer Education.John SpencerAuthentic learning has always required a connection to a real context. However, in a generative age, where AI cannot “read the room,” contextual thinking has become more important than ever. In this article and podcast episode, I explore the implications of this and share six... The post Contextual Thinking is Becoming Vital in the Age of AI appeared first on Spencer Education.creativity,education,design,thinking,student,engagement,teaching,learning,K12,education,college How to Be Proactive About Classroom Management in PBL https://spencereducation.com/pbl-classroom-management/ https://spencereducation.com/pbl-classroom-management/#comments Wed, 08 Apr 2026 10:40:13 +0000 https://spencereducation.com/?p=64372 The post How to Be Proactive About Classroom Management in PBL appeared first on Spencer Education.

]]> https://spencereducation.com/pbl-classroom-management/feed/ 4 john@spencerauthor.com (John Spencer)noThe post How to Be Proactive About Classroom Management in PBL appeared first on Spencer Education.John SpencerThe post How to Be Proactive About Classroom Management in PBL appeared first on Spencer Education.creativity,education,design,thinking,student,engagement,teaching,learning,K12,education,college How to Design AI-Resistant Writing Before, During, and After the Writing Process https://spencereducation.com/ai-resistant-writing/ https://spencereducation.com/ai-resistant-writing/#respond Thu, 02 Apr 2026 14:22:51 +0000 https://spencereducation.com/?p=66842 The post How to Design AI-Resistant Writing Before, During, and After the Writing Process appeared first on Spencer Education.

]]> https://spencereducation.com/ai-resistant-writing/feed/ 0 john@spencerauthor.com (John Spencer)noThe post How to Design AI-Resistant Writing Before, During, and After the Writing Process appeared first on Spencer Education.John SpencerThe post How to Design AI-Resistant Writing Before, During, and After the Writing Process appeared first on Spencer Education.creativity,education,design,thinking,student,engagement,teaching,learning,K12,education,college The Five Biggest Pitfalls of Collaborative Grouping (And How to Avoid Them) https://spencereducation.com/group-collaboration-next-level/ https://spencereducation.com/group-collaboration-next-level/#comments Wed, 25 Mar 2026 13:41:57 +0000 https://spencereducation.com/?p=59590 The post The Five Biggest Pitfalls of Collaborative Grouping (And How to Avoid Them) appeared first on Spencer Education.

]]> https://spencereducation.com/group-collaboration-next-level/feed/ 7 john@spencerauthor.com (John Spencer)noThe post The Five Biggest Pitfalls of Collaborative Grouping (And How to Avoid Them) appeared first on Spencer Education.John SpencerThe post The Five Biggest Pitfalls of Collaborative Grouping (And How to Avoid Them) appeared first on Spencer Education.creativity,education,design,thinking,student,engagement,teaching,learning,K12,education,college The Problem with “They Didn’t Teach Us That in School” https://spencereducation.com/didnt-teach-us/ https://spencereducation.com/didnt-teach-us/#comments Thu, 19 Mar 2026 00:01:29 +0000 https://spencereducation.com/?p=66837 The post The Problem with “They Didn’t Teach Us That in School” appeared first on Spencer Education.

]]> https://spencereducation.com/didnt-teach-us/feed/ 1 john@spencerauthor.com (John Spencer)noThe post The Problem with “They Didn’t Teach Us That in School” appeared first on Spencer Education.John SpencerThe post The Problem with “They Didn’t Teach Us That in School” appeared first on Spencer Education.creativity,education,design,thinking,student,engagement,teaching,learning,K12,education,college The Power of Silent Discussions for Deeper Collaboration https://spencereducation.com/silent-discussions/ https://spencereducation.com/silent-discussions/#respond Tue, 17 Feb 2026 18:31:12 +0000 https://spencereducation.com/?p=66817 The post The Power of Silent Discussions for Deeper Collaboration appeared first on Spencer Education.

]]> https://spencereducation.com/silent-discussions/feed/ 0 john@spencerauthor.com (John Spencer)noThe post The Power of Silent Discussions for Deeper Collaboration appeared first on Spencer Education.John SpencerThe post The Power of Silent Discussions for Deeper Collaboration appeared first on Spencer Education.creativity,education,design,thinking,student,engagement,teaching,learning,K12,education,college The Five Biggest Fears that Kept Me from Empowering Students https://spencereducation.com/fears-empowering-students/ https://spencereducation.com/fears-empowering-students/#comments Mon, 02 Feb 2026 21:39:15 +0000 https://spencereducation.com/?p=55728 The post The Five Biggest Fears that Kept Me from Empowering Students appeared first on Spencer Education.

]]> https://spencereducation.com/fears-empowering-students/feed/ 4 john@spencerauthor.com (John Spencer)noThe post The Five Biggest Fears that Kept Me from Empowering Students appeared first on Spencer Education.John SpencerThe post The Five Biggest Fears that Kept Me from Empowering Students appeared first on Spencer Education.creativity,education,design,thinking,student,engagement,teaching,learning,K12,education,college Susan M. Riley on the Power of Creativity in the Age of AI https://spencereducation.com/susan-m-riley-on-the-power-of-creativity-in-the-age-of-ai/ https://spencereducation.com/susan-m-riley-on-the-power-of-creativity-in-the-age-of-ai/#respond Wed, 28 Jan 2026 02:08:25 +0000 https://spencereducation.com/?p=66795 In my latest episode, I talk to Susan M. Riley about what creativity looks like in a generative age. She talks about how it’s changing, why it’s important, and what creative thinking looks like in a K-12 classroom. Listen to the Podcast If you enjoy...

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]]> https://spencereducation.com/susan-m-riley-on-the-power-of-creativity-in-the-age-of-ai/feed/ 0 john@spencerauthor.com (John Spencer)noIn my latest episode, I talk to Susan M. Riley about what creativity looks like in a generative age. She talks about how it’s changing, why it’s important, and what creative thinking looks like in a K-12 classroom. Listen to the Podcast If you enjoy... The post Susan M. Riley on the Power of Creativity in the Age of AI appeared first on Spencer Education.John SpencerIn my latest episode, I talk to Susan M. Riley about what creativity looks like in a generative age. She talks about how it’s changing, why it’s important, and what creative thinking looks like in a K-12 classroom. Listen to the Podcast If you enjoy... The post Susan M. Riley on the Power of Creativity in the Age of AI appeared first on Spencer Education.creativity,education,design,thinking,student,engagement,teaching,learning,K12,education,college The Push and the Pull Needed to Help Students Focus https://spencereducation.com/push-pull-focus/ https://spencereducation.com/push-pull-focus/#respond Thu, 22 Jan 2026 06:51:57 +0000 https://spencereducation.com/?p=66785 Focus is no longer our default. It’s not something that tends to happen by accident anymore. In a culture built on notifications, infinite scroll, and instant answers, students need both a pull toward deeper thinking and a push away from the distractions that steal their...

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]]> https://spencereducation.com/push-pull-focus/feed/ 0 john@spencerauthor.com (John Spencer)noFocus is no longer our default. It’s not something that tends to happen by accident anymore. In a culture built on notifications, infinite scroll, and instant answers, students need both a pull toward deeper thinking and a push away from the distractions that steal their... The post The Push and the Pull Needed to Help Students Focus appeared first on Spencer Education.John SpencerFocus is no longer our default. It’s not something that tends to happen by accident anymore. In a culture built on notifications, infinite scroll, and instant answers, students need both a pull toward deeper thinking and a push away from the distractions that steal their... The post The Push and the Pull Needed to Help Students Focus appeared first on Spencer Education.creativity,education,design,thinking,student,engagement,teaching,learning,K12,education,college The Human Advantage: Nine Skills We Can’t Afford to Lose in an AI-Powered World https://spencereducation.com/human-advantage/ https://spencereducation.com/human-advantage/#respond Tue, 13 Jan 2026 17:22:47 +0000 https://spencereducation.com/?p=65636 With AI becoming a helpful tool in education, it’s easy to see the benefits of quick access to information, personalized support, and the efficiency that technology can bring. However, as we embrace these tools, we also want to preserve and nurture the learning experiences that...

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]]> https://spencereducation.com/human-advantage/feed/ 0 john@spencerauthor.com (John Spencer)noWith AI becoming a helpful tool in education, it’s easy to see the benefits of quick access to information, personalized support, and the efficiency that technology can bring. However, as we embrace these tools, we also want to preserve and nurture the learning experiences that... The post The Human Advantage: Nine Skills We Can’t Afford to Lose in an AI-Powered World appeared first on Spencer Education.John SpencerWith AI becoming a helpful tool in education, it’s easy to see the benefits of quick access to information, personalized support, and the efficiency that technology can bring. However, as we embrace these tools, we also want to preserve and nurture the learning experiences that... The post The Human Advantage: Nine Skills We Can’t Afford to Lose in an AI-Powered World appeared first on Spencer Education.creativity,education,design,thinking,student,engagement,teaching,learning,K12,education,college