Thursday 25 February 2016

Using Social Media for Creativity.



                                                                    credit: edupundit.org


One of my classmates, Maryam Hatami, prompted a good topic in our forums which is  how is using Social Media assisting our creativity? I thought about this for a moment. On my smartphone, when I take pictures, I would often edit to make it more appealing for my social network friends especially on Instagram.  Many iphone users use an app where they can upload a collage of pictures on Facebook.  Often people create or design their blog pages to captivate their readers. I feel we are seeing a trend of people using social media to boost their creativity. 
  
                                                                                                           credit: Yahoo Images
A student responded to Maryam's post and mentioned that in the medical industry more and more students are bringing in their artistic abilities to improve the quality of learning. There are so many jargon and terminology in medical education and when these students begin their careers, they need to be creative, both verbally and visually, to explain to their patients what is the situation at hand. One of the things students are trained to do is translate is medical radiographic images to themselves and others which is a tricky business.  Perhaps they can look up on internet for videos and images that would help them understand clearly.  However, there is an abundant visual images on social media students can turn to to improve their understanding and creativity. 

                                                                     credit: medicalart.co.uk A 3D image of pectoralis major

At the massage therapy program that I am teaching at, the students are expected to learn the muscles: the names, the origin (where it begins), and insertion (where it ends). Besides learning from online videos, textbooks, and flash cards, the school wants the student to draw each individual muscles as it is a kinesthetic learning tool. Some of them are great artists and others are weak but the point is to encourage the artistic side of their brain (mainly the right brain) and implement as much they can towards creativity while learning. 

I personally think using social media towards creativity is a good thing as long the user has balance in their creative lives.  

The article  (below)  provided by Maryam covers extensively the pros and cons of using social media for creativity. 

 http://www.designorate.com/how-social-media-affects-creativity/

This article discusses on seeing a rise of students enrolling the medical program and one of the requirements is bringing in their artistic and creative abilities as well.  A great read.  

http://www.forbes.com/sites/robertglatter/2013/10/20/can-studying-art-help-medical-students-become-better-doctors/#535971211b3f

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