Got Creativity?

Who’s saying what about the arts, creativity and the future of America

“The demand for a new work force to meet the challenges of a global knowledge economy is rapidly increasing. As a special report in Business Week magazine observed last year: ‘ The game is changing. It isn’t just about math and science anymore. It’s about creativity, imagination, and, above all innovation. ‘ Most analysts studying the new global economy agree that the growing creative and innovative economy represents America’s salvation.” Eger, John M. (2008) The Arts in Contemporary Education, The School Administrator, March, 2008

Robert Root-Bernstein, a biochemist and MacArther prize winner, studied 150 eminent scientists from Pasteur to Einstein. His findings were startling to those educators lobbying for more emphasis on the sciences for he discovered that nearly all of the great inventors and scientists were also musicians, artists, writers or poet.” Root-Berstein and his wife Michelle co-authored the book Sparks of Genius which examines the minds of inventive people and shows that creativity is something that both artists and scientists learn. More important, the authors show that the seemingly disparate disciplines of art and science, music and math complement and enhance one another. Eger, John M. (2008) The Arts in Contemporary Education, The School Administrator, March, 2008

“Sadly, with the way we currently approach schooling in America, we are destined to become a third-rate economy and a Third World Power. We are forfeiting our greatest edge by walking away from what we do best. America should compete at what it has always done best: being the innovative engine that drives the world economy. Houston, Paul D. (2006) Barking Up the Right Tree, Phi Delta Kappan, Vol. 88 NO 1, September, 2006

The Creative Process

Steps of the Creative Process

Ask the Question Define the Problem ? ? ? ?

Saturation: gather information; do research.

Incubation: time to think; Let ideas “cook”.

“A-ha!” – a solution emerges!

Verification: test out the idea to see if it works. If the idea doesn't work--repeat the process!

Creativity Choice Change

“Sadly, with the way we currently approach schooling in America, we are destined to become a third-rate economy and a Third World Power. We are forfeiting our greatest edge by walking away from what we do best. America should compete at what it has always done best: being the innovative engine that drives the world economy. “ Houston, Paul D. (2006) Barking Up the Right Tree, Phi Delta Kappan, Vol. 88 NO 1, September, 2006

“The dominance of the “left-brained-driven” world, where everything is sequential and logical is giving way to a more “right-brained” endeavor that focuses on the creative, holistic skills.” Pink, Daniel, A Whole new Mind, ( 2005) Riverhead Books, New York

Creativity is a habit. The problem is that schools sometimes treat it as a bad habit. And the world of conventional standardized tests we have invented does just that. Try being creative on a standardized test, and you will get slapped down just as soon as you get your score. That will teach you not to do it again. Sternberg, Robert J. (2006) Creativity Is a Habit, Education Week Vol. 25 NO 24, February 22, 2006

Like any habit, creativity can either be encouraged or discouraged. The main things that promote the habit are (a) opportunities to engage in it, (b) encouragement when people avail themselves of these opportunities, and (c) rewards when people respond to such encouragement and think and behave creatively. You need all three. Sternberg, Robert J. (2006) Creativity Is a Habit, Education Week Vol. 25 NO 24, February 22, 2006

Now evidence is emerging that arts education can have powerful effects on student achievement, and that these effects may be most profound for struggling students. Gains associated with high arts participation were greatest for students in the lowest SES quartile, those most at risk of academic failure. Low-performing students in these programs consistently defied teachers’ expectations as they found pathways to success through the arts that eluded them in conventional classrooms. Many changed from withdrawn or disruptive elements to active and productive class members 1. “Obama Arts Policy Committee Briefing Paper, Arts Education and School Improvement.”

Quality arts education is a priority for ALL students because: a. Equity ALL students have a right to equitable access to arts and culture. Not only the privileged, not only the exceptionally talented, but ALL learners. In a democracy, the arts belong to EVERYONE. b. 21 st Century Work Skills: Quality arts education is an essential part of 21 st century learning needed by young people to succeed in an information economy, where the nature of work is constantly changing, and today’s students must develop the flexibility and creativity necessary to adapt to the jobs of tomorrow. The skills developed by the arts (collaboration, expression, imagining options) are no longer a luxury for the few, but basic skills needed by all. “Obama Arts Policy Committee Briefing Paper, Arts Education and School Improvement.”

Got Creativity?