Whether children are learning in or out of the classroom, there are challenges, including kids’ short attention spans these days and their different learning sytels. To help teachers reignite their curiosity and develop critical thinking skills to improve classroom engagement and immersive learning, Curiosity 2 Create offers valuable personalized training and resources, including the innovative CREATE Method. I had the opportunity to ask Katie Trowbridge, the President and CEO of Curiosity 2 Create, about supporting a positive, inclusive learning environment and much more.
Disclosure: This sponsored interview looks at learning challenges and teaching obstacles, with the goal to find ways for educators to succeed and, in turn, enable students to thrive.
Interview with Katie Trowbridge, Curiosity 2 Create CEO
Curiosity 2 Create focuses on improving educational experiences through creative and critical thinking strategies, empowering students and teachers in classrooms, as well as homeschooling families. Let’s get to the interview with Katie!
How did you come to be President & CEO of Curiosity 2 Create?
Being in the classroom for over 23 years allowed me to see vast changes in student’s engagement and well-being. I started to see a decrease in deeper thinking, creativity, empathy, and community. As a result, I started to research creative and critical thinking and how it can increase learning in almost all areas of the classroom. I started to implement several strategies and witnessed a vast change in the engagement and level of thinking that started to take place.
When Curiosity 2 Create presented me with the opportunity to help lead this organization, it was a tough decision. I love being in the classroom but knowing that Curiosity 2 Create presented me with an opportunity to work side by side with educators facing the same challenges I did, I knew I had to take it. I am now able to share my experiences and strategies with others, while also learning from their own unique perspectives.
What is the CREATE Method, and how it can help both teachers and students?
The CREATE Method was designed by teachers for teachers, with the aim of inspiring educators to infuse their existing curriculum with creative and critical thinking. It stands for Content Curator, Risk Facilitator, Experience Navigator, Attitude Shifter, Team Transformer, and Evaluation Designer—six key steps that guide teachers in creating engaging and impactful lessons. Teachers can use this method during lesson creation and revision to help students develop important skills such as problem-solving, risk-taking, collaboration, and deeper thinking.
The CREATE Method also encourages students to approach learning more hands-on and immersively. By implementing this method in the classroom, teachers and students can benefit from a more dynamic and stimulating learning environment that fosters growth and creativity. One of the key components of this entire process is naturally a student’s natural sense of curiosity. When students are empowered to learn through inquisitive exploration, they are more likely to retain knowledge and develop a deeper understanding of the subject matter. This is where the CREATE Method truly stands out, as it emphasizes inquiry-based learning and promotes active student engagement.
In today’s rapidly changing educational landscape, traditional teaching methods may no longer be enough to effectively engage and inspire students. As educators, we are responsible for constantly adapting and innovating to provide our students with the best possible learning experience. If we allow students to have a voice in their learning, engagement levels will rise, and learning will become much more meaningful and relevant.
What impacts have you seen in students returning to traditional classrooms after homeschooling during the pandemic?
As we transitioned back to traditional classrooms, it was important to recognize the pandemic’s impact on our students. For many, returning to in-person learning was daunting after months of homeschooling. They may have developed new routines and ways of learning that now need to be adjusted. Additionally, the lack of socialization and hands-on learning experiences may have affected their motivation and engagement levels.
On the other hand, some students may be relieved to return to a more structured and familiar environment. They may have struggled with remote learning and were eager to get back into the classroom with their peers and teachers. However, it is still important to acknowledge and address any uncertainties or anxieties they may have about being physically back in the classroom.
Student and staff support continues to be essential, regardless of their individual experiences during the pandemic. As educators, we must create a positive and inclusive learning environment where students feel comfortable expressing their thoughts and concerns, allowing the classroom to be a place where students feel a sense of belonging and security. This can be achieved through open communication, understanding, and flexibility in teaching methods.
How can the CREATE Method ease the transition back to in-classroom learning?
The CREATE Method empowers teachers to revise their curriculum based on their students’ needs. We can ease this transition by reflecting on where students are, being flexible with our content, and offering opportunities for students to exhibit their thought processes.
Our world is uncertain, and the ability to problem-solve is an essential component for students to feel they can change their circumstances. Using various strategies that allow students to actively take part in their learning and discover various ways to solve meaningful problems our world is facing gives them a sense of control and confidence in their abilities and futures. This prepares them for future challenges and promotes critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity, which are all key components to future success.
Can homeschooling families use the CREATE Method too?
The CREATE Method is just as useful for teachers as for homeschooling families. Curiosity, risk-taking, open-mindedness, collaboration, problem-solving, feedback, and reflective thinking are all key components needed in the future. By incorporating the CREATE Method into their homeschooling experience, families can help their children develop a strong foundation for success in all aspects of life.
One of the main benefits of using the CREATE Method in homeschooling is that it allows for a more personalized and engaging learning experience. With traditional schooling methods, students often have to conform to a certain curriculum and teaching style that may not cater to their individual needs and interests. However, with the CREATE Method, children are encouraged to follow their passions and explore topics that genuinely interest them. This can lead to increased motivation and enjoyment in learning.
The flexibility of the CREATE method also allows for a more well-rounded education. Parents can tailor their child’s learning to include topics that are typically not covered in traditional schooling, such as practical life skills, financial literacy, or even entrepreneurship.
Children, everyone, no matter their academic background, will benefit from learning these important skills. This method can help prepare children for the real world and give them a head start in their future endeavors.
What techniques do you recommend for helping improve kids’ focus in traditional classrooms or homeschool environments?
Engagement is one of the top issues facing schools today. As educators, we tend to teach how we were taught. Unfortunately, that just doesn’t work as well anymore.
Allowing students to experience knowledge they are interested in can make a huge difference in engagement. Consider the child who loses track of time reading, playing video games, or practicing a sport or instrument. Why can they focus for long periods of time on this task but not on a school assignment?
Much of the answer comes from the aspect of relevance. Is the task meaningful and relevant to the child? Do they see the purpose of the task? If we are working on something we care about, we invest our time and energy. This is no different for students. Incorporating their interests and passions into the curriculum can increase engagement and improve learning outcomes.
One way to do this is by providing choices in assignments and allowing students to pursue topics they are interested in. For example, instead of assigning a generic research project on World War II, allow students to choose a specific aspect or event they find interesting during that time. This increases their investment in the project and allows them to develop critical thinking skills as they delve deeper into a topic of their choosing.
Another approach is to incorporate real-world examples and applications into lessons. Connecting academic concepts to real-life situations can help students see the relevance and importance of what they are learning. For example, while teaching fractions, allow students to take a donut and cut it into segments or ask students to calculate the cost of back-to-school supplies that are on sale for 25% off.
For example, imagine a math lesson on budgeting where students are given a scenario of planning a vacation within a specific budget. This teaches them practical skills and helps them see the real-world applications of what they are learning.
There are numerous ways to incorporate real-life situations into learning, thus making it engaging, meaningful and relevant.
Is blended learning helpful, in your opinion, and can the CREATE Method benefit this learning approach?
For some students, blended learning is a win-win situation. It allows students to work independently while still receiving direct instructions and time to collaborate. In aspects of Attitude Shifter and Team Transformer in the CREATE Method, the executive functioning needed to be successful in blended learning is addressed. Students need to learn how to self-monitor and self-regulate; blended learning can be an effective strategy. In addition, blended learning offers flexibility and personalized learning opportunities for students, which the CREATE Method advocates throughout.
Blended learning has become increasingly popular in recent years due to its effectiveness in combining traditional classroom instruction with online learning. This approach gives students more control over their learning experience, as they can work at their own pace and access course materials from anywhere with an internet connection.
Furthermore, blended learning also allows for the use of a variety of teaching methods, such as interactive online simulations, group projects, and traditional lectures. This caters to different learning styles and keeps students engaged by offering diverse activities. Revising a traditional lesson plan using the CREATE Method allows students to thrive in blended learning.
I taught blended learning in my previous high school, and I saw tremendous possibilities for students who have the skills to learn independently. Some students will struggle with this freedom, and at times, it will be essential to reteach executive functioning skills such as time management, goal setting, and organization, ensuring learning success. Blended learning is a great way to learn these skills, and the CREATE Method can help educators infuse these vital skills into their curriculum.
Find out more about the CREATE Method
Get to know the services Curiosity 2 Create provides, including details about the CREATE Method, at www.curiosity2create.org. You’ll also find info there about the Curious Creators’ Club.
Another helpful tool, especially for Homeschooling parents, is the Curious Creator’s Club. This club is designed to help students K-5 learn creative problem-solving skills through hands-on activities and mystery-solving stories. It is based on the children’s book The Adventures of the Curious Creators’ Club, and each character is based on one of the key components of the CREATE Method. This is a scripted curriculum designed in six one-hour sessions.
— Katie Trowbridge, President of Curiosity 2 Create
Also, check out EDLINKS to order educational books.
Thank you for being here, Katie Trowbridge!
A big thanks to Katie for sharing her journey from teaching to leading Curiosity 2 Create. A personalized learning journey is one that is more likely to lead to a meaningful education experience for the student, as is one that encourages creativity. Cheers to improving education!
indeed, this is very productive and infromative presentation!
So glad you found it informative, Miran!
Hi Christy, this is a very informative post. Thanks for sharing it.
There’s so much to know and learn to help students, families, and teachers be at their best! Thanks Robbie for the feedback.