Subject: Creativity, innovation, intuition and discovery

Posted by Connie Woodberry on 10/13/2010
In Reply To:Creativity, innovation, intuition and discovery Posted by Richard Turnock on 10/13/2010

Message:

G’Day

There is a difference between learning creativity, innovation, intuition and discovery and being taught the same.

Some of the wisest teachers I have known will say that children learn despite teachers, not because of them. But this doesn’t have to be true and isn’t in many schools – public and private.

The best thing a teacher can do is put every possible resource, opportunity and support in place for learning to happen and then get out of the way.

I reiterate that despite what appears to be the sentiment of doom and gloom amongst the participants in this forum that there are proven ways to actively and systematically develop opportunities for people (children too!) to explore their creativity, innovation and inventiveness – their creative problem solving and in a manner that is structured but open ended. I have led such programs and created such classrooms in Australia.

Teachers are like everyone else, they need to be given the structure and the openness to explore their creativity and innovation in teaching. There are ways to do this, not easy ways, but if we all are so keen on others being innovative then we really are compelled to find innovative solutions ourselves.

There were three rules in the C2C program (innovative in action) that I led. Any idea is worth exploring but you must define and act within your parameters; time is the enemy so get going and finally you can’t give up. And then it was my job to make sure we provided everything possible (on a limited financial but limitless innovation budget) to help them. We gave them choice, support, responsibility and recognition and there was no stopping them. By the way this happened in one of the toughest teaching environments in Australia.

Here’s the web site that gives a bit more info. www.regionalbreakthroughs.com.au

Cheers

Connie

Follow Ups:

Creativity, innovation, intuition and discovery - Alex Leus 10/14/2010 
Creativity, innovation, intuition and discovery - Jeff Levin 10/14/2010
Creativity, innovation, intuition and discovery - Warren Farr 10/13/2010 
Creativity, innovation, intuition and discovery - Sharon Villines 10/13/2010 
Learning Math - Bob Gorman 10/14/2010
Learning Math - Connie Woodberry 10/14/2010