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Working at Creativity
December 28, 2010
Nothing will work unless you do.
-Maya Angelou, writer, 1928-2014
-Maya Angelou, writer, 1928-2014
"Creativity has been put up on such a pedestal. When the media says, 'This person is creative,' it's almost always paired with the word 'genius,' and that turns off a lot of people because they say, 'I'm not a Mozart.' Unfortunately, creativity is also drained by schools, which teaches kids that there is one answer. So creativity that happens is in art class. People associate it with the arts and being for the anointed few struck by lightening. In reality, it's much less exciting. It's something everyone can do — and like everything else, it takes practice."
"You get engaged in a creative endeavor every day. Does it mean you paint every day? No, there's creativity in everything. If you're a chess player, play with different opening moves. If you cook, vary recipes, add an ingredient. Creativity is not creating a masterpiece — it's creating something new.... Often someone comes up with an idea that everyone laughs at but turns out to have a nugget that, when someone else hears it and gives it a twist, becomes a good idea."
What keeps adults learning is the combination of ongoing reading, dialogue, trial and error, skill development, and continual self-reflection. There are always old and new ideas to visit, mentors and models to re-examine, and adjustments to make in one's approach. The Exchange CD Book Developing Capable, Creative Teachers offers an exhaustive collection of 53 articles in PDF format offering a host of practical ideas and strategies in the following categories:- Staff Development Basics
- Staff Development Strategies and Solutions
- Team Building Strategies and Solutions
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Comments (4)
Displaying All 4 CommentsOklahoma Department of Human Services
Oklahoma City, OK, United States
I use Microsoft Windows operating system as a metaphor in problem solving. With Windows there are always at least 3 ways to accomplish any task. When you approach problems this way, people begin to explore multiple solutions instead of trying to find only one answer.
United States
Bravo!
United States
oops, meant to say "schooling and media ARE"
United States
Creativity is a way of thinking and viewing the world that enables you to function in a more enriching and productive way. "How can I do this differently? Is there another way to think about what that person is saying?" Schooling and media is narrowing thinking test answers and sound bites. It is not natural--just watch a 2.5 year old play--there's creativity in everything she does.
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