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!
There are many definitions of critical thinking, making it difficult at times to understand the concept. Some feel that critical thinking is clear, rational, logical, and independent thinking, applicable to critical any kind of subject, problem, or situation (Global Digital Citizen Foundation). Many teachers and students hear the term critical thinking often because it is considered a learning and innovation skill (P21’s Framework for 21st Century Learning) often paired with problem solving necessary for school and the workforce. The Partnership for 21st Century Learning includes phrases such as reason effectively, using systems thinking, making judgments and decisions, and solving problems. Although some of these terms are self-explanatory, truly understanding what critical thinking means can be a challenge.
Dr. Richard Paul is the Directory of Research and Professional Development at the Center for Critical Thinking. He is also the Chair of the National Council for Excellence in Critical Thinking. He defines critical thinking as: “the art of analyzing and evaluating thinking with a view to improving it” (Paul, 2013). In the video below, Gary Meegan breaks down this definition.
Why is it important?
Critical thinking is an important skill that takes time and practice. It requires students to understand their own reasoning, while dissecting their thinking, and looking at how that thinking is constructed. Finally, critical thinking requires students to evaluate and judge the quality of their own or another’s thinking. These are all important skills needed to be successful in our current society. For example, with such an emphasis on improving test scores, many students are graduating school lacking critical thinking skills necessary to succeed in higher education or in the workplace (Szymanski, 2013). Current research on critical thinking indicates that by having a more in-depth focus on enhancing critical thinking skills in schools, it can increase academic rigor and the scores on the standardized assessments (VanTassel-Baska, Bracken, Feng, & Brown, 2009; McCollister & Sayler, 2010; Snodgrass, 2011; Tsai, Chen, Chang, & Chang, 2013). When teachers create and facilitate activities that enhance critical thinking, students are better able to understand why something has occurred instead of only understanding what has occurred. This deeper understanding “allows the students to better analyze the circumstances surrounding the occurrence and differing viewpoints about the occurrence” (Tsai et al., 2013).
How does one foster critical thinking in students/classroom?
There are many resources available for teaching critical thinking (see Resources). In order for teachers to effectively engage their students in critical thinking, they must shift their role from that of a lecturer, imparting wisdom for the students, to a facilitator of learning, allowing for discussions and encouraging an open thought process. Teachers need to encourage students to ask questions, evaluate multiple, sometimes conflicting, answers and opinions (Henderson-Hurley & Hurley, 2013; Tsai et al., 2013). Educational philosopher John Dewey always believed that students have an “innate love of learning” based on their survival instincts (p. 611). In fact, the simple act of discovery plays a central role in learning. When students “become interested in a problem as a problem and in inquiry and learning for the sake of solving the problem, [student] interest is distinctively intellectual” (Dewey, 1939, p. 614). Students who are strong critical thinkers will grow up making better decisions as adults and be creative, imaginative people who understand the world on a deeper level.
Henderson-Hurley, M., & Hurley, D. (2013). Enhancing critical thinking skills among authoritarian students. International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, 25(2), 248-261. doi: 10.1080/10511250300085841
McCollister, K., & Sayler, M. (2010). Lift the ceiling: Increase rigor with critical thinking skills. Gifted Child Today, 33(1), 41-47.
Snodgrass, S. (2011). Wiki activities in blended learning for health professional students: Enhancing critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 27(4), 563-580.
Tsai, P., Chen, S., Chang, H., & Chang, W. (2013). Effects of prompting critical reading of science news on seventh graders’ cognitive achievement. International Journal of Environmental & Science, 8(1), 85-107. doi: 10.1002/tea. 20385.
VanTassel-Baska, J., Bracken, B., Feng, A., & Brown, E. (2009). A longitudinal study of enhancing critical thinking and reading comprehension in title i classrooms. Journal for the Education of the Gifted, 33(1), 7-37.
Have you heard of the 4C's? If we're talking to Tom Shane he would say color, cut, clarity, and carat weight. Alas, even though diamonds are a girl's best friend our topic is not diamonds, it's technology and learning. The 4C's are learning and innovation skills brought to you by P21, the Partnership for 21st Century Learning.
The 4Cs are:
But wait, let's take a step back. What is P21? They are an organization supporting learning by building partnerships in education, business, community and government leaders. Their mission is:
to serve as catalyst for 21st century learning to build collaborative partnerships among education, business, community and government leaders so that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills they need to thrive in a world where change is constant and learning never stops.
Over the next 4 months we will be devoting our posts to the 4C's.
This month we will focus on Communication. In March we will dive into Critical Thinking. April will be devoted to Creativity. And in May we will take a look at Collaboration. Our friends from Common Sense Education have created this introduction to the 4C's. Take a look.
Thought provoking? It is indeed...
Our students need to be able to go beyond and we need to embrace the 4C's with them. We must continue to think about how we can weave these skills in the classroom and into our own learning.
P21 and FableVision partnered to create this animated film called Above&Beyond. It's a story about what's possible when communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity take center stage and transform learning opportunities for all.
Your challenge...how will you communicate about the 4C's?
Yes, diamonds are forever...but so are sound super skills that will last an eternity!
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.
