Lighting up Creativity in Classrooms
Creativity is a state of mind that is rich in ideas and possibilities. A fascinating world of original thinking lies within and behind the word. Creativity is about being curious, observing, connecting dots and asking questions; it is about thinking laterally and imaginatively before finding new solutions and new value be it at the individual or community level.
The development of creative minds at KIIT World School is one of the most desirable outcomes of education and is based on four key pillars of our creativity & innovation curriculum:
- Creative Empowerment in Academics Creative learning calls for moving away from learning by rote/memorisation to teaching that leads to discovery and exploration. This rests on original approaches in academic learning for creative empowerment – right from telling students to solve a math problem in a way other than the one that has been taught, to legacy projects that take up and solve a complex community problem.
- Teacher mindsets that go beyond certainty & comfort zones fostering creativity can take teachers beyond their primary role of guiding students towards a designed, structured outcome within timelines. As students explore and engage with new ideas, lesson plans must be more flexible – often navigating ‘why’ questions and new approaches while balancing curricular requirements. R. A. Beghetto in Creative Learning in Education (2021) speaks of “curricular space necessary for students to make creative contributions”. So too, we empower teachers to plan for uncertainty within defined frameworks.
- Fail-friendly classroom environment A safe environment that allows for risk-taking is the minimum criterion for creativity to flourish. Failure is a natural part of creative behaviour and is taken at face value by nurturing teachers, encouraging peers and social ecosystems. Creativity in classrooms calls for trust so that students put out their personal, authentic selves during creative exercises.
- The “whole-being” approach Physical, emotional and intellectual immersion when the ‘whole child’ is engaged in a learning experience takes creativity to its peak. New and original ideas flow from a child who is physically and emotionally fit and operates from a spring of wellness. It is these feelings of well-being that are the true secret of building confidence and developing creative energy.
The student is seen as a co-creator of the creative learning experience at our school along with the teachers. As Einstein said, “A society’s competitive advantage will come not from how well its schools teach multiplication and periodic tables, but from how well they stimulate imagination and creativity. “
About Dr. Sangeeta Bhatia
Dr Sangeeta Bhatia, Principal, KIIT World School, Pitampura and Mentor, Happy Hours School is a recipient of the National Award to Teachers, 2008 by the President of India through MHRD, Govt. of India, CBSE National Teachers Award, 2004 and State Teachers Award, 2003. She has served as Member, Governing Body, CBSE and Chairperson, North-West Delhi Sahodaya School Complex. She is also currently Senior Vice President, Delhi State Science Teachers’ Forum.
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