Strategies to Spark Creativity
Guiding Students Toward Higher Level Thinking
A wealth of hidden knowledge awaits you in your classroom...
...stored inside the minds of each of your students...
HOW WILL YOU UNLOCK IT?
FIVE STRATEGIES FOR DEVELOPING CRITICAL THINKING
ASK OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONS
This strategy provides opportunities for multiple perspectives and guides students away from yes and no answers.
DEBATE THE TOPIC
This strategy allows students to voice a point of view. Some students are stronger verbally. Students can generate confidence for self and others when they engage in healthy discussion and debate.
COLLABORATION
This strategy opens the door for students to explore through brainstorming.
GROUP TASK
This strategy can encourage teamwork and push members to work together as problem solvers. Each member accepts responsibilities within the team. This can also help reveal strengths of each student.
ASK THE HIGHER LEVEL QUESTION
This strategy can come into play after students adjust to the idea of digging into the task or problem. Add higher level questions after giving students time to build confidence and think independently toward solutions.
USING FEEDBACK
This strategy is not only a tool between students but is also a tool between the students and the teacher. Providing, sharing, comparing and studying feedback is an excellent tool for learning.
FIVE STRATEGIES FOR DEVELOPING CREATIVITY
VISUAL & WRITTEN MATERIAL
Each child learns differently and has learning strengths. Provide multiple materials that can appeal to various ways of learning.
MAKE USE OF TECHNOLOGY AND MULTIMEDIA RESOURCES
Young minds absorb 21st Century technology well. With appropriate guidance and monitoring, creativity and technology can work hand-in-hand! Don't forget items like YouTube. A video packed with information can be a valuable resource to spark student discussion, provide a great demonstration or a problem-solving adventure.
INVOLVE STUDENT INTEREST
Nobody enjoys boredom. Incorporate student interest into topics as much as possible to foster involvement and attention span. With this framework, creativity can grow
Tina Fruit, MED560, Torres
ADDITIONAL IDEAS TO CONSIDER....
Guide your students to understand that "risk taking" is accepted and encouraged! Exploring new ideas will most certainly traveling down a few dead-end roads. Reinforce to your students that "mistakes" are learning tools, not failure.
Consider having students record team and individual learning experiences in a reflection journal. This type of tool can provide valuable information in retrospect to reveal growth and, possibly, forgotten information from past learning sessions.
Don't forget, educators, that we thrive by utilizing reflection materials as well!