Incorporating Problem-Solving and Creativity in Your Classroom
I was really fascinated by the videos and articles that I read regarding creativity and problem solving in the classroom. I completely agree with the statement made by Anaisa Cunha that “Creativity is the best problem-solving tool in the classroom.” This creative problem-solving technique seems to blend critical and creative thinking in order to problem solve.
Depending on which video or article watched, problem solving could have anywhere from five steps to eight steps. The process I like most is the five step process which is: 1. Identify the problem 2. Analyze the problem and gather information 3. Generate potential solutions 4. Select and test the solution 5. Analyze/Evaluate the results
Within these steps, you must implement your critical and creative thinking. Techniques or tools that will help within these steps are Brainstorming, Root Cause Analysis, Cause and Effect Diagrams, Pareto Charts, Flowcharting and Decision Matrix (NDT, 2001-2012). I have always been a fan of Brainstorming. I am sure that I will use this method in the classroom more often than the others. I always begin my research this way. I write the problem down and then just start listing possible ideas or solutions. Of course, I will also use Flowcharting. It is always a good idea to have a “map” of the steps in a process. It will help the kids visualize what needs to take place or could possibly take place. It helps give the kids a type of reference or guide. Anaisa Cunha states in her article that many teachers, while using the brainstorming technique with their students cannot use it themselves to think of other possibilities and see things from different angles (2011). They don’t have the courage to abandon their mode of thinking in order to open up a whole new world of possibilities by thinking creatively.
The videos we watched seemed to agree that everyone can learn to thinking creatively to problem solve. That the question should not be “Am
Depending on which video or article watched, problem solving could have anywhere from five steps to eight steps. The process I like most is the five step process which is: 1. Identify the problem 2. Analyze the problem and gather information 3. Generate potential solutions 4. Select and test the solution 5. Analyze/Evaluate the results
Within these steps, you must implement your critical and creative thinking. Techniques or tools that will help within these steps are Brainstorming, Root Cause Analysis, Cause and Effect Diagrams, Pareto Charts, Flowcharting and Decision Matrix (NDT, 2001-2012). I have always been a fan of Brainstorming. I am sure that I will use this method in the classroom more often than the others. I always begin my research this way. I write the problem down and then just start listing possible ideas or solutions. Of course, I will also use Flowcharting. It is always a good idea to have a “map” of the steps in a process. It will help the kids visualize what needs to take place or could possibly take place. It helps give the kids a type of reference or guide. Anaisa Cunha states in her article that many teachers, while using the brainstorming technique with their students cannot use it themselves to think of other possibilities and see things from different angles (2011). They don’t have the courage to abandon their mode of thinking in order to open up a whole new world of possibilities by thinking creatively.
The videos we watched seemed to agree that everyone can learn to thinking creatively to problem solve. That the question should not be “Am
References: creatitivitybuffstate. April 29, 2011. Creativity 101: Creativing Teaching and Learning. YouTube. Retrieived from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9CWZN9MX6A&feature=player_embedded Cunha, Anaisa. November 20, 2011. Ideas about ESL/EFL Teaching. Blogspot. Retrieved from http://anaisacunha.blogspot.com/2011/11/creativity-best-problem-solving-tool-in.html Danaher, John. January 24, 2012. Philosophical Disquisitions. Blogspot.com. Retrieved from http://philosophicaldisquisitions.blogspot.com/2012/01/enhancement-and-education-lessons-from.html derekphwong. Oct 1, 2006. Child’s Creativity. YouTube. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_hGQuTjI3U&feature=player_embedded NDT Education Resource Center. 2001-2012. Problem-Solving Skills. The Collaboration for NDT Education, Iowa State University. Retrieved from http://www.ndt-ed.org/TeachingResources/ClassroomTips/Problem-solving.htm