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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

Discussion of creativity in teachers of the gifted considers different kinds of creativity, techniques that promote creativity in students, the role of planning in creative teaching, and improvisational creativity during the teaching process. (Contains extensive references.) (DB)

IN CREATIVE WRITING, UNLIKE IN FORMAL COMPOSITION, STUDENTS CHOOSE THEIR OWN FORMS AND MATERIALS TO EXPRESS THEIR THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS. SUCH AN OBJECTIVE DEMANDS A CLASSROOM ATMOSPHERE IN WHICH STUDENTS CAN EXPRESS THEMSELVES FREELY AND CONFIDENTLY WITHOUT FEAR OF HARSH NEGATIVE CRITICISM. IN ADDITION TO WRITING EXTENSIVELY, STUDENTS CAN BE AIDED…

A practicum was designed to help high school students become more creative by encouraging them to be audacious, divergent thinkers capable of entertaining several contradictory ideas simultaneously. Tolerating paradox and ambiguity are vital components in developing creativity. These goals were achieved by developing a nurturing, caring, accepting…

Presents a teacher training methodology for translating creativity into classroom practice by helping teachers (1) identify their own filters and agendas; (2) create an environment that fosters creativity; (3) deepen their understanding of child development; and (4) refine their techniques for student-teacher interaction. (AC)

This study was designed to test the null hypothesis which states that there will be no significant difference in mean creativity scores on the verbal or figural subtests of the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking among subjects with no creativity training, those with creativity training under traditional, and those with creativity training under…

The concept of creativity has many attributes and is a significant factor in our lives. Creative persons are observant, express part-truths, see things as others do not, are independent in cognitive faculties, are motivated by their talent and values, can hold many ideas at once, have greater sex drive, see a complex world, and have strong egos.…

This teaching guide suggests practical ideas for encouraging creative talent in preschool children. It is part of a series of similar guides developed by the RAPYHT Project (Retrieval and Acceleration of Promising Young Handicapped and Talented) for educating young gifted/talented handicapped children and gifted children with no handicaps. The…