fish from drowning, unfortunately it happens to die in the process."
Amy Tan.
There has been a lot of buzz going around the blogoshere about about
how our educational system is killing creativity. In the act of giving
the students an education their creativity just happens to die in the
process. (Well not always but way to often.) Damn, we are Buddhist
fishermen.
** Update **
This post was made from my iPod Touch so I was unable to add links. One of the articles I was talking about was this one from Ewan McIntosh.
3 comments:
One cannot be creative without a structure. I think it is our job to teach structures - and encourage the creativity that comes because of it - or in spite of it. (After all, Picasso did his most famous work by breaking the rules of the art world). If we don't have some structure, how do we know when creativity is in fact chaos? (Another question I ponder: if it is creative only ever to the creator is it in fact creative? Do we need at least two communicators to be creative as creativity is a shared meaning....etc. etc.....)
:| bye....
This is a complex topic. Trying to structure or label creativity often kills it. Creativity often comes out of chaos and structure then develops. However, as teachers, this is a scary thought. We are employed to direct and guide students, but I am finding that when students are given the chance to direct and guide on their own terms much more learning takes place. I guess it is structured...I don't know. All I know is that my classroom is gradually moving away from a traditional structure that I feel is not relevant in today's world. I don't however, know what type of structured environment it is becoming, and I find that exciting.
Nickell
Pcone, I agree with you - creativity is what comes out in spite of structure. At least the best creativity does. As for the other question - creativity only really matters to the creator. He/she creates to fill a need that they see. Solutions are found by those who see the problem.
Nickell - your classroom is definately moving away from the traditional structure and the students enjoy it. I often find my students skipping to hang out in your classroom. It works.
Now I have to find a way to allow more creativity in my classes. Math is traditionally a by the book type of class and I have to get past that.
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