Blog 5: Grow Creativity!

E-422: Blog 5

Grow Creativity!

            This was an interesting and informative article defining steps that students and teachers can follow to achieve higher creativity. It centers around “J.P. Guilford’s FFOE model of divergent thinking from the 1950’s” and offers four dimensions for creativity: fluency, flexibility, originality, and elaboration. The article defines each dimension, describes use in a classroom setting, and provides examples for each of the subjects of math, science, social studies, and reading or language arts. Fluency is considered the first step to creativity because it provides many possibilities to choose from, it is “the ability to generate lots of ideas, which loosens up the creative wheels” and includes processes such as lists, concept maps or idea bubbles. Flexibility is “the ability to look at a question or topic from a different angle…shifting to an opposing viewpoint, angle, direction, time, place or modality, or by putting yourself into someone else’s shoes.” Originality is “the quality that generates unique or unusual products, unexpected ideas, or the first of a kind.” Lastly, elaboration is defined as involving “adding details, filling in gaps, embellishing, and completing a creative idea.” These four steps combined can help lead to new ideas, greater creativity and improved projects. The article also provides an extensive list of web-based tools that further assist students (and teachers) with practicing fluency, flexibility, originality, and elaboration.

            I enjoyed this article very much because I myself work through a “creative process” every time I do something—which it turns out is very similar to FFOE. When I begin something, whether it is a school assignment or a sewing project, I begin by brainstorming the possible ideas or ways I can do the project. Next, I try to consider different aspects to my project—what will materials cost, will it fit into the environment I intend, or will it be accepted by the person it is intended for. I always like to incorporate some form of originality in all that I do because I like everything to have an element of uniqueness. The final step in the process is probably my favorite—adding the details. I think life is in the details—the little things that make something beautiful, unique, or a one of a kind memory. I also like that this article lists so many potential websites to use in this creativity process and I look forward to trying some of them out in future projects.

            I feel this article is a good example of ISTE NETS-S 1. Creativity and Innovation, 2. Communication and Collaboration, and 3. Research and Information Fluency. I also feel that this article represents well ISTE NETS-T 1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity.

Shively, C. (2011). Grow Creativity. Learning & Leading with Technology, 38(7), 10-15. Retrieved from http://www.learningandleading-digital.com/learning_leading/201105/?pg=26&pm=2&u1=friend#pg12