This presentation is for the ISTE 2012 Poster Session. Objectives include: Identify games and simulations, including virtual worlds from historical foundations such as Heritage Key, which can be used to spark creativity in middle school and high school English students. Discuss the ways in which games, simulations, and other technologies can encourage curiosity, collaboration, and creative thought in “digital native” students. Develop problem-based lessons that promote creative writing and creative response to aid in understanding of key concepts in English and literature study. Design and promote alternative, technology-enhanced methods of helping students learn from one another through peer review of writing.

1. C r ea t ive Wr it ing, Pr obl em-B a s ed
L ea r ning, a nd t he Tec hnol ogy-
E nha nc ed E ngl is h C l a s s r oom
Anas t as ia Tr ekl es
Clinical Associate Professor, Purdue University Calumet
Board Member, Indiana Computer Educators (ISTE Affiliate)
atrekles@purdue.edu

2. T isp e e t t nw l e py u
h r s n a io il h l o ...
• Identify games and simulations, including virtual worlds from historical
foundations such as Heritage Key, which can be used to spark creativity
in middle school and high school English students.
Discuss the ways in which games, simulations, and other technologies
can encourage curiosity, collaboration, and creative thought in “digital
native” students.
• Develop problem-based lessons that promote creative writing and
creative response to aid in understanding of key concepts in English and
literature study.
Design and promote alternative, technology-enhanced methods of
helping students learn from one another through peer review of
writing.

3. T a h gCr a iv W it g
e c in e t e r in
• Teaching traditional literature studies, along with creative
writing, can help learners comprehend the literature more
thoroughly
Common Core Standards include an emphasis on reading and
response to literature, but does that have to mean creative
writing suffers as a result?
• Why not have students practice writing the very forms they
are reading to enhance comprehension, creative expression,
and emotional connections to the literature?
( e K o l e , 2 0 ; B y h &S e t 2 0 )
s e n e l r 0 3 lt e w e, 0 8

4. “P o l m a e W it g
r b e - s d r in ”
B
• Writing creatively is an ill-structured problem in itself, so
developing a constructivist approach to writing lessons seems
natural
Effective prompts in any problem-based Learning (PBL) lesson
should ensure that the problem is:
• clear
• interesting
relevant
• promotes collaboration
• stimulates self-directed learning
• An immersive learning environment supported by scaffolds to lead
students through constructing their, own ; V nOo t uessential- o e , &
( e S v r &Du f 1 9 meaning r m S e d a J n s
se aey fy 9 5 a s is , t a m n
Ca s n 2 0 ; J n s e &Hu g 2 0 ; )
ro , 0 7 o asn n, 0 8

5. Ca t r gDig a Na iv
p u in it l t e
I a in t n
m g a io s
• What environment could be more immersive for many students than a
video game?
Good video games often present ill-structured, complex problems with
multiple solutions and collaborative opportunities - just like good PBL!
• Evoke the imagination of digital natives to create within familiar and
motivational environments
Familiar and fun stories that are truly “theirs” rather than from the
literature of generations past can encourage students to engage more
deeply in creative writing and critical thinking
( e P e s y 2 0 ; Dic e , 2 0 ; 2 1 ; Ge , 2 0 ;
s e r n k, 0 1 ky 0 5 0 1 e 0 3
2 0 ;W r e , Do d in e , &B r b 2 0 )
0 8 arn n l gr aa, 0 8

6. Cr a iv T c n l g
et e e h o o y
It g a io
•
nert n
Writing doesn’t just have to be typewritten pages
Integrate technology into the creative writing process just as you
might in a PBL assignment
• Allows for increased freedom and creative expression
• Consider the use of:
Video and Audio podcasting
• Alternate kinds of presentations and writing styles (Prezi,
Pecha Kucha format)
• Use Social media to display a story or game character’s “status”
• writing from the perspective of a virtual world avatar

7. A s s mn S r t g s
s e s e t t a e ie
• A collaborative studio or workshop approach allows students
to learn from each other and experts
Promotes mastery learning and continuous feedback
• But, there can be too much of a good thing - limit approaches
that ask for imitation and try not to be too initially critical of
developing work, as this leads to stifling rather than growing
creativity
• Use Peer review and extensive rubrics for assessment, but
reinforce that there is not one “right” answer, style, or
approach - guide ratherv r &Du f 1 9 ; Kn e l r 2 0 ; V nOos r m
( e S than lead 9 5
se aey fy o le , 0 3 a tu ,
S e d a - o e , &Ca s n 2 0 ; B y h &S e t 2 0 ; M v y
t a m nJ n s r o , 0 7 lt e w e, 0 8 c e,
2 0 )
0 8

8. P o l m a e Cr a iv W it g
r b e - s d e t e r in
B
w hV t a W r d : AL s o
it ir u l o l s es n
S ee ht t p://ow.l y/bacpW f or compl et e l es s on
• S t udent s wil l :
• develop stories based on interpretations of a complex situation,
weaving current and historical fact into their writing.
write works of short fiction, accurately applying at least one of
the four literary perspectives (first-person, second-person, third-
person, and omniscient).
• accurately implement principles of plot, setting, and character in
creative writing.
engage in collaborative discussion and peer review of each
other’s writing, offering feedback and criticism as needed.

9. E a p eL s o R s u c s
x ml e s n e o r e
• http://Heritage-Key.com/virtual-experience (to register and
learn more)
• http://heritage-key.com/downloads (to get the software)
• http://QuestHistory.com (related programs from Heritage Key)

10. A d io a Cr a iv W it ga d
d it n l e t e r in n
Ga e a e L a n gR s u c s
m - s d e r in e o r e
B
• http://diariesofanexistentialist.wordpress.com/2012/02/07/five-creative-writing-lessons-from-vi
http://teacher2b.com/creative/creativp.htm
• http://www.creative-writing-solutions.com/legends-of-druidawn.html
• http://www.ehow.com/video_4872321_writing-activities-elementary-students.html
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1328332041/8-bits-of-wisdom-video-game-lessons-for-real-l
• http://www.webenglishteacher.com/creative3.html
• http://odewire.com/52320/reading-writing-and-playing-the-sims.html
• http://www.education.com/magazine/article/Video_Games_Educational/

11. R sac
eer h
• The articles and instructional design theory behind this
presentation come from a paper I researched and composed in
2011
• visit ht t p://zel da 23publ is hing.c om/IS TE 2012
to download a copy of this paper, these slides, and anything
else you would like from my work presented at ISTE 2012
Thanks for your time and interest!

12. I a eCr d s
mg e it
Hand image:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenorton/2229437427/sizes/m/in/photos
Typing image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gusilu/2905410970/
• Heritage Key Virtual Experience:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/86419349@N00/4455080195/sizes/m/in/p

13. T a ky u
hn o !
• Anas t as ia M. Tr ekl es
Clinical Associate Professor
Purdue University Calumet
atrekles@purdue.edu
@instruct_tech on Twitter
facebook.com/iceindiana
zelda23publishing.com