Tuesday Tech Tip: The 4Cs...Creativity

Creativity

Just what is creativity? Certainly you have looked at a piece of art or a project and thought to yourself hey, that's creative. Perhaps you have labeled certain people as creative too. Think for a moment, what is it that causes you to think that? How do you define creativity? Do you just know it when you see it? 

Merriam-Webster says:

Simple Definition of creativity

• : the ability to make new things or think of new ideas

Creativity has also been described as turning new and imaginative ideas into reality. Creativity requires two parts: thinking and producing. 

The blog posts for the month of April will be dedicated to another of the 4Cs...Creativity.  

 

From the Partnership for 21st Century Learning we know that educators aim to include creativity in learning, but often times it is the component we abandon first. The P21 site offers a brief from experts in the field sharing examples and ideas for including research based practices in your classrooms. Click here to peruse those documents.

From A Noted Creativity Expert: Sir Ken Robinson

Let's look at creativity from another perspective. Creativity expert Sir Ken Robinson delivered a compelling TED Talk in 2006 on the topic. In it, he challenges us to think about how present systems are stifling the creative spirit.  View the talk below. What does it make you think about?  What are the implications of his message for our educational system.

One of the questions he has pondered more recently is "Can Creativity Be Taught?" Watch the talk below to see what he has to say.

Some additional thoughts on creativity can be found in this blog.  He reminds us that creativity is found in great teaching across a wide spectrum of disciplines.

What does this all mean?  

Brené Brown, noted researcher and storyteller says, "Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity, and change." She shares this through a different angle on the notion of creativity. Her 2010 TED Talk,  The Power of Vulnerability, is one of the top five most viewed TED talks in the world. Take a look at what she has to say.

So, when is the last time you nurtured your creative side? What have you planned in the name of creativity for your students?  What's stopping you? How do you create space for it in your life and weave that into your school world? 

Technology integration and innovation can be a fabulous place to add in some more creative outlets into your classroom. Do you and your students have an appetite for discovery? I bet you do. Go out there...dig deep, work hard...be CREATIVE!