Whether schools help or hinder creativity is a topic of vibrant, international debate. Some contend that the focus on structure, rote learning and standardised assessments associated with formal education stifles children's creativity. Others argue that creativity, much like numeracy or literacy, is a skill that can be taught, and educational…

The current study aimed to investigate whether age, gender, and testing environment may have an effect on children's creativity in a real-life setting. Participants included 111 children aged from seven to eleven years. They were given one verbal (Guilford's Alternative Uses Task) and one figural (Test for Creative Thinking-Drawing Production)…

Researchers have argued for the importance of the classroom context in developing students' creative potential. However, the emphasis on a performative learning culture in the classroom does not favour creativity. Thus, how creative potential can be realised as one of the educational goals in the classrooms remains a key question. This study…

From the beginning of the twenty-first century, many authorities and educational policies had begun to campaign their curricula towards the promotion of creativity. Researchers' interest turned to teachers' perceptions, implicit theories and beliefs about creativity-related issues which reflect and influence their behaviours and actions in…

Art teachers are renowned for their claims that the creative properties of their senior secondary pupils' artworks occur as a result of the realisation of a creative process. Drawing on my recent ethnographic studies in senior art classrooms in Sydney, Australia, and Illinois, USA, I uncover a sociological, rather than a psychological explanation…

Describes an inspiring atmosphere for creative self-expression in the classroom. (GB)

The goals of this project were to create a learning environment where the individual talents of each student and staff member could be optimally utilized. Seven specific objectives were a) more flexible space utilization, b) an increase in staff experimentation with different teaching techniques, c) increased process orientation of instructional…

THE EDUCATIONAL PROCESS CONDUCTED BY ANY SCHOOL SYSTEM INVOLVES MUCH MORE THAN THE PRESENTATION OF FACTS TO BE LEARNED OR THE DISCIPLINING OF UNDESIRABLE BEHAVIOR. THE TEACHER SHOULD INSPIRE THE PUPIL TO WANT TO LEARN AND TO UNDERSTAND AND SHOULD SEEK THE PROGRAM OR CURRICULUM MOST CONDUCIVE TO REALIZING THE FULL POTENTIAL OF THE PUPIL'S…

Describes the nature of the creative act and discusses creativity as the foundation of learning. Also examines the qualities of creative teachers and environments. (Author/CM)

Gives an overview of creativity by defining it, characterizing the creative person, and identifying ways in which to encourage its development, such as providing creative role models, maintaining a safe and secure environment, avoiding criticism, communicating, and remaining flexible. (DC)

This article explores the conditions necessary to facilitate the growth of creativity. These conditions include cultivation of such personality traits as independence, self-confidence, initiative, flexibility, courage to express divergent ideas, and persistence; encouragement of reception to new ideas; and use of classroom exercises to produce new…

Describes a project whereby a harpist collaborated with a preschool to introduce a harp and related music instruction into the classrooms. Notes the various learning experiences of individual children and the appropriateness of play as the mechanism for creating an inviting environment as children experienced the harp. (HTH)

This article considers the synergistic force, specifically imagination, which can serve as the catalyst for motivation and learning. The importance of classroom climate in fostering imagination and developing growth, discovery, and vision is emphasized. Ways to make imagination an important element of classroom climate are listed. (JDD)

This article criticizes classroom traditions and environmental factors that serve to limit and impair students' creativity. Steps required for a more creative classroom are discussed, including adequate "think time," conducive supplies and surroundings, a risk-free environment, empowerment to think independently, and teachers who model creative…