Teaching Creative Thinking
Introduction
Creative Thinking
• Is essential for success in learning and success in life
• Involves a range of skills that can be promoted across the curriculum
• Can be integrated in all areas of life
Teaching Creative Thinking
What is Creative Thinking?
Creative thinking is the creationor generation of ideas, processes,
experiences, or objects.
Teaching Creative Thinking
What is Creative Thinking?
…and to see the world in a way that is different
from others.
Thinking in this manner leads to innovation.
Teaching Creative Thinking
Rationale for Creative Thinking
• Many of the skills necessary in the workforce require the ability to think creatively and the ability to use creative problem solving.
• Creativity is essential in today's world.Students must be provided creative thinkingopportunities if they are to becomeinnovative leaders of tomorrow.
Teaching Creative Thinking
What promotes creativity?
• Encouragement of ideas that show imaginationand originality
• Questioning classroom
• Use of new or different approaches and solutionsto problems
• Evaluation of new ideas and actions
Teaching Creative Thinking
Four Elements of Creative Thinking
Fluency Flexibility Elaboration Originality
Teaching Creative Thinking
Review
Fluency
FlexibilityGenerating a wide range of ideas
or a variety of possibilities
Seeing things from differentpoints of view or perspectives
The ability to generatemany ideas, solutions,
or possibilities
Teaching Creative Thinking
Example of Fluency and Flexibility
How might students demonstrate their learning?
1. Compose a fact sheet
2. Write a poem
3. Give a speech
4. Have a panel discussion
5. Write and perform a song
Teaching Creative Thinking
Elaboration
The ability to use words, images,and actions to
enhance meaning
Teaching Creative Thinking
Elaboration
Example:
• Name things that are red.
nose and cheeks
Your nose and cheeks can turn red as an apple when
you go outside on acold winter day.
Teaching Creative Thinking
Elaboration
Examples:
• Name things that stick.
• How can you improve your presentation?
Teaching Creative Thinking
Elaboration
Example:
• Name things that stick.1. masking tape2. duct tape3. cellophane tape4. glue5. thumb tack6. thorn7. pencil lead8. food9. nickname
Teaching Creative Thinking
Elaboration
Example:• How can you improve
your presentation?1. Incorporate sound effects
2. Add video clips
3. Video your presentation
4. Involve the audience
5. Use a rubric
Teaching Creative Thinking
Elaboration Questioning Stems
• Discuss the solution and its benefits.
• What details can you add to __?
• Select one of yourideas and explain how you would implement that idea.
Teaching Creative Thinking
Originality
Examples:• Name things that stick.• Brainstorm new ways
to use a pencil.
Teaching Creative Thinking
Originality
Example:
• Name things that stick.1. masking tape2. duct tape3. cellophane tape4. glue5. thumb tack6. thorn7. pencil lead8. food9. nickname
Teaching Creative Thinking
Originality
Example:• Brainstorm new ways to use a pencil.
1. pointer2. art work3. counters4. picture frame5. a giant’s toothpick
Teaching Creative Thinking
Originality Questioning Stems
• Describe ___ from the ___ point of view.
• How would you revise ___?
• Design a riddle about ___.
Teaching Creative Thinking
Fluency, Flexibility, Elaboration, and OriginalityPractice Example:• Name things that fly.
1. hawk2. robin3. bluebird4. butterfly5. wasp
6. airplane7. car8. speedboat9. motorcycle10. time
Teaching Creative Thinking
Evaluative Criteria for Originality
• Find something that is different in your eyes.
• Select something that does fly, yet it doesnot fly through the air.
• Select the one item that is the most unusualto you.
1. hawk2. robin3. bluebird4. butterfly5. wasp6. airplane7. car8. speedboat9. motorcycle10. time✔
Teaching Creative Thinking
What is Creative Thinking?
CreativeThinking
is the creation or generation of ideas,
processes, experiences, or objects
CriticalThinking
is concernedwith evaluation
Teaching Creative Thinking
Benefits of Creative Thinking
• Engages students in learning• Equips students with skills to face the future• Increases levels of self-esteem and motivation
in students
Teaching Creative Thinking
Critical Thinking Resource• Creative Thinking
Brainstorming Questioning Stems
• Fluency• Flexibility• Originality• Elaboration• Six Thinking Hats
• Critical/Creative Thinking Strategies
Teaching Creative Thinking
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