Category: Teaching

The Creator Mindset: Create Something You Love

Published on by Sandy Davis

I’ve been a teacher for 25 years, a writer all my life, and a “content creator” since 2021. It has come to my attention the internet if full of massive amounts of low-quality garbage. Too many people are trying too hard to get rich quick. It reminds me of all of the sales scammers of my childhood, the MLMs, the mail-in envelope-stuffing business scams–trying to make a quick buck is a tale as old as time.

I’ve since learned that you have to create something that YOU want. I no longer chase the mythical audience. I’m not sure how to find or describe or anlalyze or understand an audience, I think the whole concept of “audience” is something of a myth. Most people who have created something great were simply creating something they loved.

In the past 3-4 years I’ve had modest success on Fiverr and Teachers Pay Teachers (TpT) and I’ve created a tiny following on this blog (I have 80 subscribers!). My highest month of earnings is about $800 and my lowest is $24. But I’m learning, I’m ready to expand this, and I have ideas for what to do next.

First and foremost, I’m a teacher. One of my most lucrative clients on Fiverr just likes working with me because I know how to teach her things. As a teacher, both at the secondary (middle and high school) and college levels, I’ve learned how to develop high-quality content, how to capture and hold an audience’s attention, and how to assess my abilities. It feels very natural to teach people how to reach their goals and acheive their dreams as well.

Under the Creator Mindset umbrella, I will be creating courses and tutorials on how to create lucrative side-hustle, how to get started selling on Fiverr, Etsy, TpT, and Gumroad, how to use Canva to create templates, how to find a niche and create courses on Udemy and other platforms, how to create long-form content for Medium and YouTube, how to repurpose that content for Instagram and Pinterest, and how to help others and create value.

I’m not the least bit interested in chasing cheap thrills and quick money through casino-washing, credit-card churning, surveys, affiliate marketing, or drop-shipping. All of those things bore the crap out of me.

I’ve decided that I will also be offering most of my stuff for free, giving you access to as much high-quality content and real hands-on tutorials and guidance as I have time to make. Only after I’ve successfully helped a lot of people with my content over the long term will I start bundling it for sale (or offering other ways for people to support my content.

So come along for the ride! I’m a good writer and storyteller with a genuine love of teaching, consulting, and coaching. I have many digital media skills like writing, illustration, photography and editing, teaching and public speaking, coaching, designing effective and engaging learning experiences, and creating sincere and authentic content.

Discovery Writing & the Art of Process

Published on by Sandy Davis

As writers, we often think of our craft as a means to an end. Whether it’s finishing a novel, completing a research paper, or submitting a blog post, the focus is usually on the final product. But writing is so much more than the polished piece we send out into the world. It’s an act of discovery, reflection, and growth. Writing isn’t just about what we produce—it’s about the journey we take to get there.

This idea of writing to discover is at the heart of what makes the creative process so fulfilling. When we sit down with a blank page or screen, we may have only the faintest glimmer of an idea. It’s through the act of writing—the messy, circuitous, sometimes frustrating act—that we find clarity, have epiphanies, and learn not only about our subject but also about ourselves.

Writing as a Tool for Learning and Reflection

Writing is one of the most powerful tools we have for learning and reflection. When we write, we’re forced to slow down and engage deeply with our thoughts. This deliberate act allows us to explore ideas, connect seemingly unrelated concepts, and arrive at insights we might not have discovered otherwise.

For students, this process is especially valuable. In an age where instant answers are just a Google search away, writing teaches patience and critical thinking. It encourages them to wrestle with complex ideas and come to their own conclusions, fostering a deeper understanding of the material. Writing to learn isn’t about regurgitating facts; it’s about grappling with them until they become meaningful.

Embracing the Struggle

Let’s be honest: writing is hard. It’s messy, it’s unpredictable, and it rarely goes as planned. But that’s exactly why it’s so valuable. The struggle is where growth happens. When we’re stuck, when we don’t know what to say, when our ideas feel like an incoherent jumble—those are the moments when we’re forced to dig deep and push through. And in doing so, we often discover something unexpected and profound.

As teachers, it’s crucial to help students embrace this struggle. Too often, students are focused solely on the end result: the grade, the word count, the “perfect” essay. But if we can shift their mindset to see writing as a process of discovery, we can help them find joy and meaning in the act itself. The best writing doesn’t come from avoiding the struggle; it comes from working through it.

Why Shortcuts Undermine the Process

In today’s world, shortcuts are everywhere. AI tools can generate essays, rephrase sentences, and even mimic a writer’s voice. While these technologies can be helpful in certain contexts, they also risk undermining the very essence of writing. When we rely too heavily on shortcuts, we cheat ourselves out of the opportunity to think deeply, to wrestle with our ideas, and to grow as writers.

This isn’t to say that AI tools have no place in the writing process. Used thoughtfully, they can assist with tasks like brainstorming or editing. But they should never replace the creative act of writing itself. For students especially, it’s important to resist the temptation to outsource their thinking. Writing is about more than producing words on a page; it’s about learning, reflecting, and discovering who they are as thinkers and creators.

Writing to Have Epiphanies

Some of the most rewarding moments in writing come when we have a sudden epiphany—when an idea clicks into place or we see a connection we hadn’t noticed before. These moments can’t be forced, and they certainly can’t be generated by a machine. They arise organically, often when we’re deep in the flow of writing, fully engaged with our thoughts.

For me, these moments are a reminder of why I write. They’re a testament to the power of the process—a process that is often messy, frustrating, and slow but ultimately transformative. And it’s this transformative power that we, as teachers and writers, must nurture in ourselves and our students.

Encouraging Discovery Writing in the Classroom

So how can we foster this mindset of writing to discover in our classrooms? Here are a few strategies:

  1. Emphasize Process Over Product: Build time for brainstorming, drafting, and revising into your assignments. Celebrate progress and effort, not just the final submission.

  2. Incorporate Reflective Writing: Use journals, freewrites, and personal reflections to encourage students to explore their thoughts without worrying about perfection.

  3. Teach Writing as Thinking: Frame writing as a way to work through ideas, solve problems, and make connections. Encourage students to write even when they’re unsure of what they want to say.

  4. Model the Struggle: Share your own experiences with the challenges of writing. Let students see that struggle is a normal and necessary part of the process.

  5. Discuss the Role of AI Thoughtfully: Help students understand both the potential and the limitations of AI tools. Teach them to use technology as a support, not a substitute, for their own thinking and creativity.

Writing is a journey, not a destination. It’s about the process of discovering, learning, and growing—a process that is deeply human and profoundly rewarding. As writers and teachers, we have the privilege of engaging with this process and helping others do the same. So let’s embrace the messiness, celebrate the struggle, and remind ourselves that the true value of writing lies not in the product but in the act itself.

The Profound Benefits of Prioritizing the Learning Process over the Final Product

Published on by Sandy Davis

In a world driven by outcomes and results, there is a growing need to shift our perspective from the end goal to the journey itself. Focusing on the process of learning or creation, rather than fixating solely on the final product, brings about a multitude of benefits. This shift not only fosters a healthier learning environment but also helps to mitigate issues such as cheating, plagiarism, overreliance on AI, anxiety, and procrastination.

  1. Encourages Genuine Understanding: Prioritizing the learning process promotes a deeper and more genuine understanding of the subject matter. Instead of seeking shortcuts to achieve a polished final product, individuals engage with the material, grapple with challenges, and develop a comprehensive comprehension that goes beyond mere surface-level knowledge.

  2. Cultivates Critical Thinking Skills: The journey of learning involves navigating through complexities, problem-solving, and critical thinking. Focusing on the process encourages individuals to analyze information, connect concepts, and apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios. This cultivation of critical thinking skills is essential for personal and professional growth.

  3. Reduces the Temptation of Cheating and Plagiarism: When emphasis is placed on the process, the need for shortcuts diminishes. Cheating and plagiarism often stem from a fixation on the final product, pushing individuals to cut corners to meet deadlines or expectations. By valuing the journey, the pressure to resort to unethical practices decreases, promoting academic integrity.

  4. Mitigates Overreliance on AI: While AI, such as ChatGPT, can be a valuable tool, an overreliance on it can hinder individual cognitive development. Focusing on the learning process allows individuals to grapple with challenges independently, enhancing their problem-solving skills and reducing dependency on external sources.

  5. Alleviates Anxiety: The pursuit of perfection in the final product can lead to heightened anxiety. Shifting the focus to the process eases the burden of unrealistic expectations, allowing individuals to embrace mistakes as opportunities for learning. This shift in mindset fosters a healthier relationship with learning and creativity.

  6. Combats Procrastination: The overwhelming pressure associated with producing a flawless final product can often lead to procrastination. By breaking down tasks into manageable steps and valuing the learning process, individuals are more likely to approach their work with a sense of curiosity and enthusiasm, reducing procrastination tendencies.

  7. Fosters a Growth Mindset: Emphasizing the learning process aligns with the principles of a growth mindset. Individuals with a growth mindset view challenges as opportunities for growth rather than insurmountable obstacles. This mindset shift promotes resilience, adaptability, and a positive attitude towards learning and creativity.

In a society that often prioritizes outcomes, it is crucial to recognize the profound benefits of focusing on the process of learning or creation. By embracing the journey, individuals can develop a deeper understanding, cultivate critical thinking skills, and mitigate issues such as cheating, plagiarism, overreliance on AI, anxiety, and procrastination. This shift not only enhances individual development but also contributes to the creation of a more ethical, resilient, and creative society.

Leveraging Language Models for Effective Communication: A Guide for Teachers and Content Creators

Published on by Sandy Davis

Language models have revolutionized the way we interact with text and information. Models like Chat GPT and Bard, though freely available, possess immense potential for educators, content creators, and anyone seeking accurate and insightful responses to their inquiries. It’s important to learn how to to maximize the utility of language models, focusing on writing effective prompts to extract the most valuable and nuanced information.

Understanding the “Stochastic Parrot” Mental Model

Before delving into the nuances of utilizing language models effectively, it’s crucial to grasp the “stochastic parrot” mental model. Language models generate responses based on patterns learned from the data they were trained on. They don’t possess personal opinions, beliefs, or creativity. Hence, the output is a variation or amalgamation of existing content in response to a given prompt.

To optimize the use of language models, it’s essential to frame prompts that align with this understanding. Instead of seeking personal opinions, it’s better to request objective information, best practices, or consensus on a particular topic.

Writing Effective Prompts: A Paradigm Shift

Consider the scenario where you seek advice on managing a common parenting issue: a baby struggling with sleep. Employing the “stochastic parrot” mental model, we can redefine the prompt to extract comprehensive and comparative information.

Example:

Original Prompt: “My baby has a hard time sleeping. What do you think about the cry it out method?”

Revised Prompt: “My baby has a hard time sleeping. Give me a list of reasonable solutions. Compare and contrast each to the cry it out method.”

Breaking Down the Revised Prompt

The revised prompt encourages the language model to provide a list of potential solutions for the baby’s sleep issue. It explicitly requests a comparison of each solution with the cry it out method. This structured approach yields a more informative and balanced response, showcasing different perspectives and options.

Another Example

Another example is to think about how to use a tool like ChatGPT to best learning new strategies for teaching and content creation.

For example, instead of asking: How can I stop students from talking and distrupting class?

Ask: What are some effective classroom management techniques that can be used in different contexts?

Utilizing LLM Responses Wisely

When you receive responses from the language model, it’s crucial to assess and verify the information for accuracy and relevance. Cross-reference the generated content with reputable sources, consider various viewpoints, and use your judgment to arrive at well-informed decisions or conclusions.

Summary

Effectively leveraging language models involves understanding their inherent limitations and aligning our expectations accordingly. The “stochastic parrot” mental model underscores the importance of framing prompts that aim for objective information and consensus rather than personal opinions.

By adopting this mindset and structuring prompts to encourage comparative analysis, educators, content creators, and individuals at large can harness the power of language models like Chat GPT and Bard to access valuable insights and information on a myriad of topics. Remember, language models are tools to aid and enhance our understanding, not arbiters of truth or creativity.

Tips for Engaging Any Audience

Published on by Sandy Davis

Engaging an audience, whether they are students in a classroom, an online audience for your content creation, or readers of your written work; is a skill that can make a significant difference in how effectively your message is received. It’s not just about delivering information; it’s about creating a connection and sparking interest. Here are some tips to help you engage your audience and keep them captivated:

  1. Know Your Audience:
    • Before you can engage your audience, you need to understand them. Consider their age, background, interests, and prior knowledge. Tailor your content and approach to meet their specific needs and expectations.
  2. Start with a Hook:
    • Begin your presentation or writing with a compelling hook. This could be an interesting fact, a thought-provoking question, a relevant anecdote, or a surprising statistic. A strong start grabs your audience’s attention right from the beginning.
  3. Tell a Story:
    • People love stories. Whether you’re teaching a lesson or writing an article, use storytelling to illustrate your points. Stories are relatable, memorable, and help to humanize your content.
  4. Use Visuals:
    • Visual aids like images, charts, and graphs can enhance understanding and engagement. Visuals break up text and make your content more visually appealing. Use them to support your message, not overwhelm it.
  5. Interact and Involve:
    • Engage your audience actively. Ask questions, encourage participation, and create opportunities for discussion or reflection. In the classroom, this might involve group activities or class discussions. In writing, it could mean including interactive elements like polls or quizzes.
  6. Be Passionate:
    • Enthusiasm is contagious. If you’re excited about your subject matter, your audience is more likely to be engaged. Show your passion through your tone of voice, body language, and choice of words.
  7. Keep It Clear and Concise:
    • Avoid jargon and complex language unless it’s necessary. Clear, concise communication is more likely to be understood and retained. Break down complex concepts into digestible pieces.
  8. Use Humor (Appropriately):
    • A well-timed joke or a touch of humor can lighten the mood and make your content more enjoyable. However, be mindful of your audience and the context, ensuring your humor is appropriate and doesn’t offend anyone.
  9. Connect Emotionally:
    • Appeal to your audience’s emotions. Share stories or examples that elicit empathy, excitement, or curiosity. Emotions help create a deeper connection with your audience.
  10. Be Responsive:
    • Listen to your audience’s feedback and adapt accordingly. If you notice confusion or disinterest, adjust your approach. Encourage questions and address concerns.
  11. Provide Value:
    • Ensure that your content is valuable and relevant to your audience. They should feel that they are gaining knowledge, insight, or entertainment from your presentation or writing.
  12. Practice, Practice, Practice:
    • Whether you’re giving a presentation or writing an article, practice is essential. Rehearse your delivery, refine your content, and be prepared to adapt as needed.

Engaging an audience takes effort and creativity, but the rewards are worth it. When you successfully capture your audience’s attention and keep them engaged, you not only convey your message effectively but also create a positive and memorable experience for your students or readers. So, go ahead and apply these tips to captivate and connect with your audience in your next endeavor.

Getting Ready for the School Year: How to Manage Anxiety and Stress

Published on by Sandy Davis

I haven’t blogged here in a while, mainly because I’ve been getting my kids ready for their school year (I have one in middle school and one in high school) and I’ve also been working with new teachers to help them prepare for the coming year. This can indeed be a stressful and anxiety-inducing time for teachers.. Here are some strategies both new and experienced teachers can use to overcome and prepare for the beginning of the school year anxiety and stress:

  1. Set Realistic Expectations: Understand that the beginning of the school year can be overwhelming, but it’s important to set realistic expectations for yourself and your students. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and it’s okay if everything isn’t perfect from the very start.
  2. Plan Ahead: Create a detailed plan for the first few weeks, including lesson plans, classroom setup, and administrative tasks. Having a clear roadmap can help alleviate anxiety by giving you a sense of control and direction.
  3. Organize Your Space: A well-organized classroom can significantly reduce stress. Take time to arrange desks, materials, and resources in a way that is conducive to learning and easy to navigate.
  4. Connect with Colleagues: Reach out to fellow teachers, both experienced and new, to share ideas, tips, and experiences. Collaborating with others can provide a sense of camaraderie and the opportunity to learn from one another.
  5. Self-Care: Prioritize self-care and well-being. Make sure you’re getting enough rest, eating healthily, staying hydrated, and engaging in activities you enjoy outside of work. Taking care of your physical and mental health is essential.
  6. Set Boundaries: It’s easy for teachers to overwork themselves, especially during the start of the year. Set clear boundaries between work and personal time to prevent burnout.
  7. Practice Mindfulness: Incorporate mindfulness techniques into your routine, such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga. These practices can help you stay centered and reduce stress.
  8. Celebrate Small Wins: Acknowledge and celebrate even the smallest accomplishments during the beginning of the school year. Each step forward is a reason to be proud.
  9. Reflect and Adjust: Regularly reflect on your progress and adjust your plans as needed. This ongoing assessment can help you stay on track and make necessary improvements.
  10. Seek Support: If your anxiety and stress become overwhelming, don’t hesitate to seek support from a counselor, therapist, or support group. Your mental well-being is a priority.

What are your favorite go-to strategies for getting ready for the new year? Or, if you’re not a teacher, some strategies you use to manage stress or plan your week.

Creating in Real Time

Published on by Sandy Davis

I’m in the process of learning how to create online courses for the general public. I’m currently taking a Udemy course called “How to Create In-Demand Online Courses.” This is to learn how the nuts and bolts of creating an online course, but will also benefit me in my professional life, since as a professors I also teach an online course. I’m hoping to both improve as a teacher and a content creator, but also pass along that knowledge to you.

As a full-time college professor, former middle school and high school teacher, and someone who has a doctorate in curriculum design and is in the process of learning game design and digital marketing (as fun hobbies, lol), I feel uniquely qualified to help you on your journey to becoming a better teacher or content creator, or to get started on a side-hustle.

One of my biggest frustrations as a newbie content-creator is that so many of the resources out there are loaded with generic bullshit, click bait, and useless platitudes. For example, many of these resources will tell you to “choose a niche” or “know your audience” without really giving you the nitty gritty details of HOW to do that.

That’s why I’m doing a fun experiment and bringing you along for the ride. I’m going to explore several different types of content creation, from blogging to YouTube to TpT (Teachers Pay Teachers) to Fiverr and walk you through the step-by-step details of EXACTLY what I’m doing, how it’s going, what’s working and not working, and how to see results.

In addition to doing 30 days of blogging (which I’ll report on soon), I’m also learning how to create a course and then I’m going to create a post a course. Today I’m going to learn from Udemy and several other online resources, and then tomorrow I will start creating my course.

I would LOVE to hear suggestions for things you’d like to see me build a course on. Taking into consideration my experience and expertise, some options are:

How to improve student engagement

How to improve student writing

How to be a better writer

Reading like a writer

Game design in the classroom

How to sell on Teachers Pay Teachers

How to sell on Fiverr

FREE Curriculum Planning Template for a Unit or Online Course

Published on by Sandy Davis

I’ve recently started working on prep for a free online course (Coming Soon!) and for my fall classes, and I wasn’t happy with most of the course planning or unit planning guides I found online, so I created my own. I’ve included it here as a printable PDF and also a fully editable MS Word Document. Feel free to take this and use it any way you like!

MS Word Version:

curriculum-planning-template-1Download

PDF Version w/preview:

curriculum-planning-templateDownload

Planning and Creating Engaging Course Content

Published on by Sandy Davis

Whether you’re creating online courses as a content creator, or in-person lesson plans and curriculum as a teacher, many of the same curriculum design principles apply.

Create a Plan

Creating an instructional plan is essential for organizing, guiding, and optimizing the teaching and learning process. It supports both teachers and students in achieving desired learning outcomes, managing time and resources effectively, and providing differentiated instruction to meet the needs of all students.

Determine Your Learning Objectives

The most important part of creating a plan is determining your learning objectives. Many teachers balk at this because they’ve been to terrible PD sessions with too many buzz words. Just think of Learning Objectives as your GOALS for the course. What is it that you want students to learn, gain, or walk away with?

Keys to Engaging Design

Here are three of the most important elements of engaging design:

1. Small wins

Small wins are simple activities/challenges in your course that give your students a sense of accomplishment and confidence. They keep students excited about learning and refuel their motivation.

Include small wins throughout the course, and award your learners with badges and congratulatory pop-up messages every time they complete a challenge.

2. Scaffolding

Scaffolding is layering the learning experience, so students build on the concepts they already understand. Scaffolding requires that you gradually layer from simple concepts to more challenging ideas by telling students how this new information fits into what they already know. Keep in mind that scaffolding is an excellent way to prevent cognitive overload.

3. Active learning

It is not enough to include dozens of videos of yourself speaking into the camera or do a lot of screen recording. Learners must DO something to learn. Use quizzes, assignments, and interactive elements to transform learners from passive to active. Social activities like course discussions and live workshops are also incredibly effective and engaging.

Creating an Online Course

Published on by Sandy Davis

If you’re currently a content creator or thinking about becoming a content creator, it’s my opinion that teachers and writers are most suited to creating online courses. I’ve also found that online courses are not only fun to create (I always learn something every time), but they are also the most potentially lucrative. Creating an online course can offer numerous benefits for content creators and their audience. Here are some key advantages to working with this medium:

  1. Share expertise and knowledge: Online courses allow content creators to package their expertise and knowledge in a structured format. They can share their unique insights, skills, and experiences with their audience, providing valuable learning opportunities.

  2. Reach a wider audience: By offering an online course, content creators can reach a global audience. Unlike traditional in-person workshops or seminars, online courses can be accessed by anyone with an internet connection, breaking down geographical barriers and increasing the potential reach of their content.

  3. Monetization opportunities: Online courses can be a source of income for content creators. They can charge a fee for access to the course, creating a revenue stream that complements other content creation efforts. Courses can also be offered as part of a subscription or membership model, providing ongoing revenue.

  4. Establish authority and credibility: Developing and delivering high-quality online courses can enhance a content creator’s reputation as an authority in their field. By sharing in-depth knowledge and providing valuable educational content, they can build credibility and trust among their audience, potentially leading to additional opportunities such as speaking engagements or collaborations.

  5. Fostering deeper engagement: Online courses often provide a more immersive and interactive learning experience compared to other forms of content. They allow content creators to engage with their audience on a deeper level, facilitating active participation, discussions, and feedback. This can strengthen the relationship between the content creator and their audience.

  6. Flexible learning options: Online courses offer flexibility in terms of timing and accessibility. Learners can access the course material at their own pace and convenience, fitting their education into their schedule. This flexibility accommodates diverse learning styles and allows individuals to tailor their learning experience to their specific needs.

  7. Addressing specific needs: Online courses enable content creators to address specific pain points or needs of their audience. They can develop courses that provide practical solutions, step-by-step guides, or specialized knowledge in a particular niche. This targeted approach enhances the value of the course and increases its relevance to the learners.

  8. Evergreen content and scalability: Once created, online courses can be available indefinitely, making them evergreen resources. Content creators can continue to generate revenue and provide value over time without constantly creating new content. Additionally, online courses can be scaled easily to accommodate a growing audience without significant additional resources.

By creating online courses, content creators can leverage their expertise, reach a wider audience, generate income, establish authority, foster engagement, provide flexible learning options, address specific needs, and scale their offerings. It can be a win-win situation for both content creators and their audience, providing valuable educational experiences while creating new opportunities for growth.