Sir Ken Robinson’s video “Can Creativity be taught?” (2014) examines exactly that – the ability for creativity to be taught and assessed. Robinson (2014) argues that although people often say you can’t teach or assess creativity that this is ultimately wrong and often based on a narrow view of teaching. Robinson (2014) states that to assess creativity you would define set criteria and look to peers in the industry.
My top 3 insights from “Can
Creativity be taught?” would be:
1. Creativity is work...crafting and reworking
2. You can be creative at anything - creativity is not just for the arts
3. Creativity can be taught (just don't narrow your thoughts of what teaching is). Gifted teachers guide students on the creative journey and help remove the barriers individuals put up - they give permission.
Overall, I agree with Robinson's perspective. When I reflect on times I have been at my most creative there has more often than not been someone supporting me through the process. This is through many means; from showing me new tools, providing feedback or simply helping me re-frame my mind to be broader. The right teacher has a huge impact on the way we allow ourselves to think, the breath to which we allow ourselves to be creative.
The following ten key practices can help teachers and managers develop creativity (Templer 2014):
1. Providing positive feedback, recognition and rewards for creativity
2. Developing innovation facilitators, ambassadors or catalysts
3. Holding regular opportunity/threat workshops
4. Raising awareness of the need for creative collaboration
5. Looking outside your industry for the other possible best practices
6. Training people in creative problem solving tools
7. Developing and implementing a system for idea management
8. Involving diverse people in special innovation projects
9. Taking a sponsorship role in providing resources for creativity and
10. Having a clear, written strategy for innovation
1. Creativity is work...crafting and reworking
2. You can be creative at anything - creativity is not just for the arts
3. Creativity can be taught (just don't narrow your thoughts of what teaching is). Gifted teachers guide students on the creative journey and help remove the barriers individuals put up - they give permission.
Overall, I agree with Robinson's perspective. When I reflect on times I have been at my most creative there has more often than not been someone supporting me through the process. This is through many means; from showing me new tools, providing feedback or simply helping me re-frame my mind to be broader. The right teacher has a huge impact on the way we allow ourselves to think, the breath to which we allow ourselves to be creative.
The following ten key practices can help teachers and managers develop creativity (Templer 2014):
1. Providing positive feedback, recognition and rewards for creativity
2. Developing innovation facilitators, ambassadors or catalysts
3. Holding regular opportunity/threat workshops
4. Raising awareness of the need for creative collaboration
5. Looking outside your industry for the other possible best practices
6. Training people in creative problem solving tools
7. Developing and implementing a system for idea management
8. Involving diverse people in special innovation projects
9. Taking a sponsorship role in providing resources for creativity and
10. Having a clear, written strategy for innovation