FOSTERING CREATIVITY

What is creativity?

Creativity is the ability to see things in a new and unusual sight, to see problems that no one else may even realize exist, and then come up with new, unusual and effective solution. ( Papila and Olds, 1987)

Is the capacity of an individual to create, discover, or produce a new or noble idea or an object, including the rearrangement or reshaping of what is already known to him which proves to be a unique personal experience.( Mangal, 1994)

In general creativity is defined as flexibility of thinking, or fluency of ideas and the ability to come up with new and noble ideas, to see the things in new relationship or to think in the way that are different from other people.

What is creative teaching?Creative teaching may be defined as student-

centered teaching method in which teacher carries out the creative learning activity that promotes creativity in the learners.

Advantages of creative teaching1. Through creative teaching the teacher may

intellectually challenge the student to come up with their own unique creativity products or ideas.

2. Creative teaching helps the students to identify their innate talents and potentials.

3. It also helps students to acquire creative abilities and sharpen them.

Principle of creative teaching

1. Remove the internal blocks to creativity

2. Creates an awareness of the role of the consciousness.

3. Defers judgment4. Provides experience with mind-

stretching exercise.5. Keeps fantasy alive.6. Increase knowledge

Phases in fostering creativity

Turney et al suggested three distinct phases:1. Initiating phase2. Pupil action phase3. Culminating phase1. Initiating phase: This phase attempts to initiate the students

into the creative process. It consists of: Establishing context Stirring imagination or inducing puzzlement Encouraging response

2. Pupil action phase: This phase seeks to involve the students

more actively in the creative process with minimum teacher interference. It consists of:

Facilitating phase Supporting individuality Extending ideas3. Culminating phase:This phase attempts to engage the students

to consolidate their creative outputs. It consists of:

Promoting accomplishment Appreciating individuality

Methods of fostering creativity

1. Brainstorming method2. Creative problem solving3. Synectics method ( making strange

things familiar and familiar things strange)

4. Playing with ideas