Encouraging Creativity 
by Keith Lightbody - Facilities Consultant - last updated 5 March 2007
Encouraging Creativity
by Keith Lightbody - Facilities Consultant - last updated 5 March
2007
Ensure
'audience' is positive, makes constructive comments, non-judgemental, etc.
Show
the work produced is valued by using it (eg. in a school publication, on display)
Ensure
name of 'author' is on all images or other pieces of work
Provide
strategies to minimise or cope with peer group pressures
Encourage
acknowledgment of others contributions or ideas
Set
challenging tasks in a context (may be less threatening for cautious
students)
Encourage
peer tutoring and sharing of skills (e.g. a student 'gifted' in art
helps others)
Use
a variety of group teaching strategies
Demonstrate
own weaknesses (e.g. art/drawing) and show strategies to
cope/improve
Choose
tasks with useful or interesting outcomes for students (eg. images
for calendars, CD covers, bedroom door labels)
Offer
special privileges (e.g. can print best piece of work in colour)
Introduce
techniques for creative thinking (e.g. brainstorming, 6 hats, mind
maps, storyboarding, visual thinking, ideatoons)
Include
group viewing of in-progress/completed products
Encourage
individuality
Allow
for different learning styles (e.g. choice of open-ended tasks or
structured steps)
Encourage
collaborative learning
Consider
gender-based preferences
Show
tolerance of different strategies or methods for creating a
product
Assist
with skill development to boost self-confidence and improve quality
of work produced (eg. drawing, design)
Encourage
a cheerful atmosphere (e.g. play music)
Relate
task to other outcomes (e.g. symmetry, design, technology
process)
Offer
simple incentives, rewards or multiple prizes
(Version 5. Many West Australian teachers have contributed ideas to these notes. First published 8 February 2000. My original inspiration was the slogan "Respect Copyright - Encourage Creativity" on a poster published by the Copyright Agency Limited. They also have helpful information on their website at http://www.copyright.com.au)
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