Creative Thinking and It’s Importance in Education.
Creative thinking is a process that is expanded across multiple fields of study. It is a crucial skill that is paramount to any innovation and advances we have created around us. Creative thinking is often compared to critical thinking; this is also called divergent and convergent thinking. While both contribute greatly to the formation of new ideas, creative thinking answers a question with multiple ideas, while critical thinking uses factual evidence to form an answer. In this essay, however, we will be focusing on creative thinking and it’s importance within the educational system.
The process of creative thinking can be broken into four stages: preparation, incubation, illumination, and verification. In the first stage, preparation, the mind gathers information from anywhere it can find. It is vital that the brain is feed materials that can be used and manipulated. Incubation is where the mind contemplates a solution to a problem. This can be subconsciously or unconsciously. Illumination is exactly as the word implies. A sudden lightning strike, a stroke of genius. Creative ideas arise and we get a clearer understanding and possible solution. Then the final step, verification. This is where we test the solution found in the illumination stage to see if it is a viable idea to put forth. If not, the creative process is then repeated from the very beginning.
This process, though put into a few words, can be a lengthy and painstaking procedure. A journey that includes loads of refinement and thought. However, as long as the process may be, sometimes the hardest part in and of itself is simply starting. Because sadly, it takes a lot to reach in ourselves and find creative confidence to start. It isn’t a common thing that is taught in our educational systems, and can even be a harder thing to learn and adapt to later on in life.
In 2008, H.O. Wheeler Elementary School in Burlington, Vermont was a failing school. Not only was the environment unsuitable for kids, but their students also were not meeting state standards. Only 17 percent of third-graders had met academic qualifications. Ninety percent of students qualified for reduced lunch, while only a mile away in a parallel universe, another elementary school thrived. On the brink of closing it’s doors, Wheeler Elementary started incorporating the arts into their teaching as a last effort to save its school. This strategy involved the students rotating between music, dance, drama, and visual arts within their curriculum. All classwork and subjects had corresponding creative projects. Within seven years, the school saw tremendous growth. The 17 percent of passing third-graders morphed into 66 percent. Teachers saw a transformation within their students. Kids were seen to be more engaged in class activities, and even eager to come to school. With this huge leap of improvement, the institution became a destination school.
David Eagleman says that “creativity is not a spectator sport.” Simply sitting and watching is not a productive way to acquire a creative mind. It must be molded in physical activity with an active will and integrity. Creative thinking starts within us and is important to integrate into our everyday lives and education.
Sources:
https://www.inc.com/jessica-stillman/the-4-stages-of-creativity.html
Book - The Runaway Species, by David Eagleman & Anthony Brandt
Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16p9YRF0l-g
I love the example you put on how creative thinking works in the educational system. To see such quick results in a school like that is always a great relief. This a wonderful example of Paulo Coelho's quote stating that “Everybody has a creative potential and from the moment you can express this creative potential, you can start changing the world.” The proof is in the pudding with this one. Passing percentage escalating from a mere 17 to an outstanding 66 is more than enough evidence to prove the importance of creative thinking. I would like to see more schools take up a more creative environment for their children to thrive in.















