Motivating Students to Take Creative Risks

From my experience, I’ve noticed that while students are very comfortable consuming media, many seem unsure or hesitant when it comes to creating it, especially if it involves trying something new or unfamiliar to them. They tend to stick with what they know or what feels safe. I sometimes wonder if it’s a lack of creativity, focus, or time, or maybe even a work ethic issue. But more likely, it’s about a fear of failure or being judged. So much of what they see on social media looks perfect, and the messy, trial-and-error side of creativity isn’t always visible. I think many students don’t realize that real creative work often involves unusual ideas and failed attempts. They sometimes avoid redoing or revising their work, and instead choose the safe option from the start just because it’s the easy route to take.

Something I think would be worth trying is including an assessment criterion that asks students to show how their work developed over time, based on feedback and reflection. This would encourage them to step out of their comfort zone, take creative risks, and embrace the idea that revision is a necessary part of the process. For example, students could be asked to provide evidence of how their idea evolved, what changes they made, or what alternate directions they considered. That way, we’re not just assessing their final product, but also their creative process, which should also include the risks they took along the way.

This focus on creative risk-taking is supported by a few specific expectations. These include A1.3, which encourages students to “produce and refine media art works, using research, exploration, input, and reflection," and B1.3, which asks students to reflect on how their understanding changes over time, for example, by comparing their initial idea to their final project. These expectations reinforce the idea that media arts isn’t just about polished products, but about taking risks, reflection, and growth. 

REFERENCES: 

Ontario Ministry of Education. (2010). The Ontario curriculum, grades 11 and 12: The arts. Queen’s Printer for Ontario. https://www.arts.on.ca/oac/media/aire/Documents/Design/Ontario-Arts-Curriculum-11-12-2012.pdf

Choi, J., Payne, A., Hart, P., & Brown, A. (2018). Creative Risk‐Taking: Developing Strategies for First Year University Students in the Creative Industries. International Journal of Art & Design Education. 38. 10.1111/jade.12169. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/327885580_Creative_Risk-Taking_Developing_Strategies_for_First_Year_University_Students_in_the_Creative_Industries