Practical Solutions for Creative Problem Solving Across the Curriculum

In this workshop, teachers will learn practical steps to introduce original thinking and creative problem solving to their students in any discipline. Specific activities that participants will experience include: Visual Journaling, Mental Mapping, and Collaborative Project Building .

Goals

· Teachers will be able to identify effective creative practice for their teaching (all disciplines).

· Teachers will create a visual journal and creative artifact based on that journaling.

· Teachers will identify at least two practical solutions to how they can apply what they learned in their own teaching practice.

How to find the College of Liberal Arts:

From the intersection of N. 27th Street and Rimrock Rd, turn onto Rimrock Rd. Go west and look for the sign for NORMAL AVE. and turn onto NORMAL AVE. Follow the hill to the bottom, and look for the last, large brick building on the left. That is the College of Education Building. Park in either the lot to your right, or your left, and walk toward the College of Education. The College of Liberal Arts is to your left.

This is a photo of the parking lot at the College of Education as you approach it coming down Normal Avenue. Park in the lot to either the left or right. Walk towards the College of Education. Take the sidewalk to your far left and walk to the Art Building, which is pictured below. The Liberal Arts Building is the tallest building on Campus. Look for signs directing you to the classroom....Room 109.

This is the Liberal Arts College building. There are several entrances that face toward the College of Education. Look for signs directing you to the classroom. We will be meeting in room 109 of the Liberal Arts Building.

About Dr. Lightner:

Jodi Lightner is a Professor of Art at Montana State University Billings where she teaches courses that involve pencils, paint, and presses and is chair of the Art Department. She received an MFA in painting from Wichita State University, Kansas. Her work centers on the fragility of built structures as metaphors for relationship and trust and she enjoys building exhibitions to suit each individual gallery space. Lightner has exhibited her work Nationally and Internationally including Germany, China, Italy, New York, California, Oregon, Kansas, Montana, and South Carolina. She received an Artist Innovation Award from the Montana Arts Council in 2021.

About Dr. Reaves:

After teaching in elementary settings for 15 years, Melanie earned a doctoral degree at The University of Wyoming in Curriculum & Instruction with emphasis in literacy education and qualitative research. She was an assistant professor at Northern Michigan University 2014-2017 and currently serves as an associate professor and Interim Dean at Montana State University Billings in the College of Education. She is passionate about students connecting personally to their learning, creative reflection for teachers and students, and art integration across the curriculum.