by Ernest Smartt

Created on: August 05, 2008   Last Updated: November 19, 2008

Creativity in education is the process of producing something new, innovative and unique in the area of education. Education is a very broad term which includes everything from professional educational training to classroom teaching, to parent teacher relations, and more. Creativity in education can be accomplished by educational professionals, teachers, and students alike.

CREATIVITY DEMANDS FREEDOM. In order for radical creativity to take place everyone from top management down in the education field needs to be given the freedom to stretch their wings, explore, and experiment with new and innovative ideas. It is teachers who have been willing to go out on the edge and take risks who have been able to make the most radical and successful changes in the way education is done. One example of a great creative teacher is Mr. Escalante as portrayed in "Stand And Deliver". He took education to a new level for his students. What he did changed a school, and the lives of his students.

CREATIVITY INCLUDES NEW WAYS TO DO THE SAME THINGS. There is room for creative thinking in all areas of education. Creativity can include new ways to do what we have been doing the same way for years. Educators are continually searching for ways to improve, though not all of the new ideas they pursue work. The general principles of education will likely never change. As I look back to my school days, it is clear that some things never change. However, methods can and do.

CREATIVITY IS NOT FOUND ON THE BEATEN TRAIL. Teachers and educational professionals need to step off the beaten path and do something that is radically creative either in administration or in the classroom. Because of high costs in everything, many new ideas are often unable to be realized, but with a little creativity, even that problem can be overcome. New ways to do a fundraiser, or get sponsors need, to be explored. Educators need to reach out and risk getting a "no" answer more often than not in order to find that one important "yes." Teachers need to step out of their comfort zone, and try new methods.

CREATIVITY DEMANDS WORK. Creativity in education Is not easy. Hard work, trial and error, and even ridicule are in it's path. There is often far more opposition than encouragement for educators who seek to do things different. When an attempt to change your teaching style fails, it is followed by a great fear of trying again. Trying again is precisely what has to happen in order find a way to make it work.

BRAINSTORMING,

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>