Learning via creativity seems at home in the art room. How many times do we think of creativity as a path to learning in other subject areas? Those students who have educators in other classes recognizing and encouraging the priceless value of creativity are indeed blessed with good luck! We must honor academic creativity in order to inspire learning. Let's learn about creativity beyond the art room.
Not only is teaching with creativity good for learning, but also for physical and mental health! See https://www.viewsonic.com/library/education/5-ways-student-creativity-enhances-well-being/#:~:text=Student%20creativity%20involves%20a%20combination,skills%20for%20their%20future%20careers.
Bloom's Taxonomy is an educator's tool which depicts a range of learning skills. Here is an overview: https://citt.ufl.edu/resources/the-learning-process/designing-the-learning-experience/blooms-taxonomy/ Anyone who is or has been in the education field should be familiar with this. In the earlier versions of Bloom's model, he sited Evaluation as the highest level. Later, his model was revised with Creating as the highest level of learning. As an art teacher, I was ecstatic that creating was finally being recognized as the highest level of learning!
Here are some astounding examples of youth who have used creativity in various subject areas.
Learning Math Creativity
A teen pair, Xuming Liang and Ivan Zelich, met on an online math forum. Their homes are half way around the world from one another. While one was crunching numbers, the other was getting shut eye. At day's end, their findings would be shared so the other could carry on. Jointly, with six months of work, they developed a mathematical theorem which may also lead to intergalactic space travel!
Creativity in Music and Science
Amritha Praveen, a 14 year old musician developed a system measuring heart rate and sweat. This biological data was measured while a person listened to music. Her device then comes up with individualized music therapy recommendations.
Scientific Creativity
Jack Andraka, as a 15 year old, invented a simple non-invasive new method to detect pancreatic cancer.
Anna Du, at 12 years old, developed a remotely operated vehicle that uses infrared light to detect microplastics in the ocean.
A high school freshman, Joshua Meier, discovered a potential treatment for cancer. He reversed a process to expedite aging in cancer cells and stop them from growing.
Learning Creativity in Global Studies
Ellie Lou Olvera, 13, studied which natural fibers work best for making affordable and reusable menstrual pads to help solve the global problem of period poverty. She and others then create homemade products for these impoverished females.
Literary Arts Creativity
Amanda Gorman, at 22, was our youngest inaugural poet in the United States when she read her poem, "The Hill We Climb". She was the Youth Poet Laureate of Los Angeles at age 16.
Opening to Creativity in Education
In the field of education, we can exponentially increase excitement for learning when we invite creativity into the classroom. By being creative in our lesson planning, teachers can wake up students with a passion for learning. Remember, creativity is the highest level of learning and the sky is the limit! Just look at the examples of these brilliant youth. What might our students achieve with our nudges? How much could we improve our students' physical and mental health by infusing our classes with creativity? For further information, see Why Creativity Is Crucial.
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