“How do we Help Students Develop Creativity?”

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1. 

   Zane Dickey on March 16, 2017 at 6:16 am

   Start with defining creativity:

   the use of imagination or original ideas to create something; inventiveness.
   “firms are keen to encourage creativity”

   2. the ability to transcend traditional ideas, rules, patterns, relationships, or the like, and to create meaningful new ideas, forms, methods, interpretations, etc.; originality, progressiveness, or imagination.

   Given the definitions it appears students imaginations can be enhanced by:
   1) a variety of cultures
   2) Different perspectives = writing from different perspectives, learning another language (different rules, patterns, interpretations)
   3) Creating art/drama/dance/sport – (playing different instruments, performances to show imagination or different forms of personal and shared experiences, group work/collaborative learning.)
   4) Critical thinking – http://www.criticalthinking.org/ctmodel/logic-model1.htm and what it means to be able to make connections so that students can actually understand the importance of thinking outside of the box and how creativity can influence the world in a positive manner – Creative Change Agents.
   5) Travel – in order to see how cultures approach problems differently, a walk in the woods, a new city or town, new smells
   6) Time to actually discuss issues, debate, and socratic method (Theory of Knowledge – TOK) to learn how to “see” – training in “seeing” and looking for the good in being different.
   7) TED Talk (TED HOUR), Podcasts, Ideas from CBC, (exposure to multiple views)
   8) Harnessing technology for free (Coursera, EDx) – more ideas from anywhere in the world
   9)inviting your neighbor over for dinner and conversation
   10) Mindfulness training – taking time to reflect
   11) Getting enough sleep
   12) Understanding that too much work can reduce creativity
   13) Volunteering to see people outside of your own bubble
   14) Reading both fiction and non-fiction books
   15) Having someone to intentionally question or contradict your ideas (perspective)

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