The concept of teaching creativity has existed for some time.
See also What is divergent thought?
A large part of the blame for a lack of creativity, and therefore of innovation, can be attributed to our traditional education systems.
It is based on teaching to the right answer. An innovative thinking model is necessary.
Most of the practice of creative methods are done outside of traditional educational establishments by consulting companies and by people in companies that have been trained in creative problems of problem solving. In universities, little has changed since 1950, when the distinguished psychologist JP Guilford in his inaugural speech as president of the American psychological association said that the negligence of education with regard to the subject of creativity was appalling.
Adding to this sequence of events is the fact that the manuals are at least three years up to date when published and. . . Educational systems have been the slowest adopters of innovation. Thus, we see that educational establishments need a high dose of creative problems of problems.
What are the educators that we favor and promote creativity in classrooms?
50 (especially) simple means to encourage creativity in class
1. Project learning (PBB)
Let students explore the challenges of the real world through long -term and open projects.
Example: Design a sustainable city using local data and models created by students.
2. Creative writing assignments
Use writing to explore feelings, invent characters or solve imaginary problems.
Example: Write a story where gravity disappears for a day.
3. Integration of arts
Mix artistic expression with non -art subjects to promote – or even assess – understanding and imagination.
Example: illustrate the water cycle using watercolor and mixed media.
4. Role play and simulations
Let the students enter the character to explore empathy, decision -making and creative thought.
Example: simulate a United Nations climate summit with student delegates representing different nations.
5. Hour of genius
Give students the time dedicated to exploring and presenting on a subject that fascinates them.
Example: a student builds a working cardboard freak as a design challenge.
6. Use emotion
Design lessons that connect to the feelings, values or the lived experiences of students.
Example: Write a poem on a time when you felt poorly understood.
7. Use a creativity model
Thinking structure with steps that promote divergent and convergent processes.
Example: Use the Osborne -Parnes model to reinvent films, stories, literature, music – what the lesson or activity could benefit.
8. Celebrate students’ questions
Highlight curiosity by giving space for requests generated by students.
Example: Create a “wonder wall” where students ask weekly questions.
9. Allow errors
Normalize the error in the context of growth and creative discovery.
Example: hold a “Friday failure” where students share what they learned from a flop.
10. Encourage curiosity
Invite students to investigate, explore and stay curious about the world.
Example: Start each class with an unusual object or a mystery photo to cause questions.
11. Explicitly teach creative skills
Decompose creative behavior such as flexibility, originality and persistence.
Example: Teach students to generate several solutions before choosing one.
12. Design multidisciplinary lessons
Connect the concepts between subjects to feed novelty and understanding.
Example: use rap words to analyze literary devices and poetic structure.
13. Use combined learning
Students can have an idea of one “thing” and apply it to another
Example: students can take an idea of a mathematical equation, a poem, a video game, a painting or a drawing and apply this idea to something else – a story, a t -shirt, a scientific project or a certain number of ideas.
14. Start class with a visual prompt
Use images to activate previous knowledge, narration and abstract thinking.
Example: Ask: “What’s going on in this painting-and why?”
15. Use open questions
Promote the expansion of the idea with questions that have more than one answer.
Example: “What could another way to resolve this conflict?”
16. Creativity based on practice constraints
Encourage creativity by limiting tools or time.
Example: Design a bridge using only paper and adhesive tape.
17. Course led by students
Allow students to search for and teach content in a commitment.
Example: a student uses memes to teach photosynthesis.
18. Flip the script
Let the students reinvent stories, processes or historical results.
Example: Rewrite the end of a novel from the point of view of another character.
19. Connect with nature
Use outdoor learning to update the perspective and inspire content.
Example: sketch a scientific diagram based on natural observations.
20. Use humor intentionally
Playful thinking encourages risk -taking and control of the idea.
Example: Create ridiculous inventions like a shoe that cooks eggs.
21. Create collaborative murals
Large -scale art promotes teamwork and visual narration.
Example: students contribute to a mural representing what creativity means for them.
22. Use time travel scenarios
Encourage critical thinking by modifying historical or future contexts.
Example: How did Shakespeare write in the Youtube or Tiktok era?
23. Hold on the days “and if”
Devote class time to the exploration of imaginative scenarios.
Example: “What if the school happened underwater?”
24. Use music to inspire thought
The sound opens doors to abstract thought and the implementation of mood.
Example: Write a story that corresponds to the tone of an instrumental piece.
25. Play with analogies
The creation of connections strengthens conceptual understanding.
Example: How is the circulatory system like a road network? How is a burp as a market correction?
26. Use non -traditional materials
Inspire inventiveness with unexpected media.
Example: Build a character sculpture from the chain, cardboard and aluminum foil.
27. Organize a creativity challenge
The timed challenges develop a flexible and rapid thought.
Example: Create a hat using only paper and staples.
28. Incorporate improvisation
Improvisation games strengthen spontaneity and collaboration.
Example: play a narration game “Yes and …”.
29. Ask alternative purposes
Encourage perspective and originality by rethinking the results.
Example: Write a new end for a scientific experience that has failed.
30. Encourage the storyboard
Planning through images helps visual and sequential learners. And they should not limit themselves to telling fictitious stories!
Example: Storyboard A scientific laboratory process before running it.
31. Hold a class exhibition
The presentation of work increases the creative bar.
Example: Show students’ passion projects during a “evening of creativity”.
32. Use abstract art as a writing prompt
Abstract imaging invites youth interpretation and metaphor.
Example: Write a poem based on the shapes and colors of a painting.
33. Use humor to solve problems
Stupid ideas often arouse serious innovation.
Example: Design a machine that makes homework fun.
34. Celebrate unfinished work
Present the drafts and the process to honor the experiment.
Example: host a “Work in Progress” showcase.
35. Use narration tools
Combine technology and creativity for modern stories.
Example: Make a short film using the book creator or the canva, or even the storyboard based on paper
36. Start with an error
Imperfect examples stimulate publishing and innovation. Give simple students ways to learn through mistakes.
Example: revise a story with a major hole in the plot.
37. Consider cultural creativity
Use global examples of art, invention and expression.
Example: Study how native symbols are used in contemporary design.
38. Use mental mapping for ideas
Visual brainstorming helps connect thoughts.
Example: Maple of mind every way to represent a mathematical concept.
39. Let the students choose their medium or their shape
Flexible expression honors different forces.
Example: Explain a scientific process using a sketch, a song or a model.
40. Invite local creators to speak
Community artists bring a new perspective and a possibility.
Example: a local animator explains how they are storyboard ideas.
41. Host a “Curiosity Fair”
Let students share explorations of their own choice.
Example: Present a prototype made by students or an artistic creation.
42. Celebrate the process on the product
Crop success as growth and effort.
Example: Post students’ reflections alongside finished work.
43.
Look back the problems to generate new angles.
Example: How would you say this express invention?
44. Gamify Creative Tasks
The games make the expression more welcoming and dynamic.
Example: Transform the vocabulary into a drawing game.
45. Use items found for design
Upcycling inspires ingenuity and originality.
Example: Make a Rube Goldberg machine using only class remains.
46. hold one day of mystery object
Stimulate narration with the unknown.
Example: Tell the story of a mysterious ancient box.
47. Use reality in the lessons
The elements of the real world deepen the context and study the questions.
Example: Use a broken compass to launch a geography lesson.
48. Build class rituals that celebrate ideas
Routines can strengthen the value of creativity.
Example: Start every Monday with a 5 -minute “creator moment”.
49. Give students creative roles
Assign rotating roles such as the illustrator, the connector or the questioner.
Example: a student draws diagrams while another calls into question ideas.
50. Final class with a reflection prompt
Reflection strengthens self -awareness and creativity.
Example: “What have you tried today that you have never done before?”
See also Five experiential learning elements
Teachthought’s mission is to promote critical thinking and innovation education.
