By Jayden Minton
From a young age we are conditioned to learn new information in creative ways. As we grow older we slowly start to fade and grow out of the ways in which we were taught would help us. The most important information is taught to us while we are young so that we know the basics to build off of for newer and more complex information. Learning information in creative ways that are out of the ordinary tend to stick with us. Why does this not appear more in high school and college?
- What side of the brain is involved with creative thinking?
Many teachers teach in a way that is more helpful for left-brain dominant students (1). Meaning, when notes are projected onto the screen, left-brain dominant students are able to pick up on the information more easily. They think more logically than right-brain dominant students. Right-brain dominant students are more creative in their thinking. Some would call them more artistic than others. You may find them writing down their notes in different colors and drawing pictures, instead of just listening and watching the teacher speak. All areas of the brain work when you feel creative. This explains why you feel very energetic and awake when creativity is flowing (1).
- How does creativity enhance learning?
Creativity enhances learning and studying skills in more ways that some notice. Encouraging students to think in different ways and try things they haven’t done before may be the answer for long-term learning(2). When teachers use hands-on activities, group projects, or even ask questions worded differently than normal, the success rate for achievement increases. It sparks the brain into action which causes the student to become more awake and alert to what they are being taught. There is a correlation between what we are being taught and our opinions on what we are being taught.
- Is creativity one of the most important strategies in learning?
Although creativity is the most difficult thinking skill to have, it is also the most important. It is best used to advance your knowledge. There are examples given about how when we study rocks, we automatically choose a way to tell them apart from all the other rocks. Whether this be the color or shape of the rock, we choose it. Teachers and parents should be more open to providing an environment where the student is able to give input on their ideas(3).
- Why should you want to become more creative?
In many cases, students who are more creative come up with ideas that others have not. They come up with different ways to solve any issues or problems in ways that will benefit them. They also choose ways in changing how they are being taught to help better their understanding of new concepts(2). You are able to express who you are through creativity. With creativity comes self-discovery and what ways we can incorporate it into our everyday life. This allows everyone around us to get a glimpse as to who we really are on a more personal level(4). There are studies done that show that creativity reduces stress and anxiety as a whole. People enjoy feeling accomplished after putting their thoughts into their hard work. For those who are more private and closed off, when they are able to use their creativity to their advantage, they perform better. They feel more comfortable with learning in ways they are passionate(4). Not only does creative learning allow you to have more fun, but it also connects you to people with the same interests and passions. If you are able to do something you enjoy, you find yourself putting in more time and effort into that project more than others(4).
- How can we activate more creativity in our studies?
In order to activate more creativity in our classrooms it starts with our teachers and professors. For the students to be involved in learning and to enjoy using creativity in the classroom they need to feel accepted by their peers and instructors. There must be an environment where the student can feel safe and comfortable to express themselves creatively. When professors are assigning projects using words like design, invent, or create can increase performance from their students(5). Being open minded to lots of ideas and options also can help the students to be heard. Judgement free classrooms help the students who may not be the most creative to still want to try and do the best they can even though they may not see themselves as Leonardo da Vinci. As students when we know how we learn best we can use it to our advantage so we can soak up as much knowledge as possible. Giving positive feedback is essential. It shows that we are doing a good job even if it is just the slightest bit of encouragement or even for the smallest things. Another way to look at it is if you allow students to be creative in their work and add their own spin on things you can grade them on what they truly know and understand and not just the way that they can fill out a rubric for an assignment. As students it is good to remind ourselves that even though we may not have the highest grades in the classroom at times we can still be creative(5).
Resources:
(1) Creativity Boosts the Brain and Promotes Learning, 29 Sept. 2020, grapeseed.com/us/blog/creativity-boosts-the-brain-and-promotes-learning/.
(2) Ascd, Patti Drapeau. “Chapter 1. Intentional Creativity: Fostering Student Creativity from Potential to Performance.” Intentional Creativity: Fostering Student Creativity from Potential to Performance, www.ascd.org/publications/books/115007/chapters/Intentional-Creativity@-Fostering-Student-Creativity-from-Potential-to-Performance.aspx.
(3)Johnson, Ben. “4 Ways to Develop Creativity in Students.” Edutopia, George Lucas Educational Foundation, 16 Jan. 2019, www.edutopia.org/article/4-ways-develop-creativity-students.
(4)“The Significant Benefits Of Creativity In The Classroom.” TeachThought, 17 Nov. 2019, www.teachthought.com/learning/innovation-imagination-12-benefits-creativity/. (5)Davis, Posted By: Lauren Cassani, and Lauren Cassani Davis. “Creative Teaching and Teaching Creativity: How to Foster Creativity in the Classroom.” Psych Learning Curve, 7 Oct. 2019, psychlearningcurve.org/creative-teaching-and-teaching-creativity-how-to-foster-creativity-in-the-classroom/.