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From Human Motivation by Robert E. Franken:
Creativity is the ability to generate or recognize ideas, alternatives, or possibilities that may be useful in solving problems and communicating with others (p. 396).
To foster creativity in education, students and staff must be given opportunities to view concepts from different perspectives and think beyond ideal solutions. Practical creativity in learning takes many forms, including generating new ideas, exploring alternatives, and approaching problems in non-conventional ways. Though essential to learning, the ability to think creatively does not happen by chance and is not measured by any standard. It is nurtured through opportunities to practice key skills such as flexibility, openness to ambiguity, and a curiosity for discovering the unknown. These qualities are essential for developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills not only in an educational setting but in life itself.
Creativity in learning requires the ability to see new perspectives and embrace ambiguity, abilities often overlooked in standards. Sir Ken Robinson, in his famous TED Talk "Do Schools Kill Creativity?", states that “If you’re not prepared to be wrong, you’ll never come up with anything original.”
The impact of a learning environment where students feel safe to take risks, make mistakes, and explore unconventional ideas is essential to growth.
During my practicum, my students were learning about the fugue in music class. While it is a challenging concept to grasp, incorporating creative technology such as Chrome Music Lab, enhanced their learning experience and supported the creative process.
Though I knew that the assignment of composing a class fugue would provide an opportunity for self-expression, I was amazed when my students took it to the next level; using the music to create a picture of a dragon! Their creativity in this project highlights their openness to new perspectives and ideas, leading to unconventional forms of learning and mastery.
References:
Franken (1993). Human motivation (3rd ed.). Brooks.
Robinson, K (2006, January 6). Do schools kill creativity? [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iG9CE55wbtY
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