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Creativity + Education

Sometimes, a creative action is taking a look at something that is not working and making some radical changes. But when you make alterations, other areas may suffer. Back to the drawing board. Let’s look for some more changes. Last fall, we made a decision to take our two oldest children out of school. It [...]

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Asides

• Today, I have a post on Women on Writing's The Muffin blog about one way to search for a literary agent. Go on over and check it out. And, thanks for reading! #
• Thanks to everyone for participating in the "Spiced" book giveaway. According to Random.org, Aik is our winner of the Creative Cooking Comments book giveaway! Aik, please send me your mailing address in the comments section of my contact form. I will forward your information and ask the nice Penguin folks to send you a copy of "Spiced." Again, thank you all for participating and thank you to the Business2Bloggers for making the review and giveaway possible. #
• Sometimes it is a little tricky to keep across all the amazing folks and their talks about creativity. That's why I was excited to be contacted by the Accredited Online Colleges organization that has compiled a list of 25 talks that will incite, excite and unleash your creativity. While I've seen many of them, such as the Elizabeth Gilbert and Amy Tan contributions to the creativity discussions, I'm glad to have a list to refer people to. The list also incorporates innovation, inspiration and creative people. What are some of the creativity talks on the Internet that you have seen and enjoyed? Feel free to send me the link or list them in the comments section below. #
• Chronicle Books has some innovative books and kits, which I've had the pleasure of reviewing in the past. This morning I opened an e-mail from the publisher and found out about two cool and, yes, creative concepts. I appreciate different ways in which words and reading are presented to children--making reading fun and accessible. It appears that Readeo is doing just that by creating a service for a faraway grandparent or aunt to read to a child--using a Web camera. Right now, they are offering 50% off for a year's subscription. It's a new service and I haven't used it...my kids live way too close for me to test it out. Just thought it was a creative idea of getting people together over words. So I learned that there is an app for my iPhone that allows me to listen to a police scanner. Who knew?! But what would be even more fun is for my kids to use my iPhone (properly insured!) to look at books, specifically colorful picture books. Books can be downloaded from PicPocket Books and pretty soon, relatives other than those using the Readeo can record the text from the books. Getting the words out. I like that! Dear readers, do you know of any cool applications to share that make someone's creative work more accessible? #
• The Institute for Emerging Issues is sponsoring its 25th annual forum in 2010. February's event will, as their Web site says, "come full circle as we attempt to enhance creative thinking and embrace new ideas -- the very creativity that is needed for true innovation." The forum is billing itself as a place that "will push you to think in new and interesting ways." What a fantastic challenge. The registration opens Dec. 1 for the February 8 and 9 event at the Raleigh Convention Center. #