CreativityCreative Thinking & Creative Problem-

solving

2 Models of Creative Problem Solvingplus

The Incubation Model of Teaching:13 Additional Creative “Qualities”

Creativity is not:

The domain of a few individuals Not known to be linked to specific factors

or traits Exclusive of many individuals

Shared by all, varies by many factors Exclusively “world-altering”

Personal vs Cultural creativity Importance of distinguishing between these 2 Need to develop Personal to achieve Cultural

Creativity is:

Universal All people have this capacity, as with

intelligence Continuous

Varies by degree, type, as with intelligence

In Potential (subject to “training”) Identifiable via types of “performances” Performance competencies can be

developed

2-Factor Model

Novelty: Unique, distinct, “original” responses to environment, experience, circumstances

Usefulness: Serves a purpose; responds to perceived need; solves identified problem/s

4 Factor Model Fluency:

Frequency of response; actual total number of responses to a stimulus

Flexibility: Frequency of categories of responses; actual

total number of types of responses Originality:

Statistical infrequency of response for a given individual in a given group at a given time

Elaboration: Development of responses Completion of ideas Integration across ideas “Marketing” ideas/alternatives

Application of Models

Working in your group, do the following: Identify a situation in a curriculum

(content to be taught/learned) in which you could apply these models

Briefly describe the instructional situation: Who, what, when, why, how long, what’s

expected… Plan/state an activity that would

develop each step of the 4 factor model

The Incubation Model of Teaching:

Getting Beyond the Aha!E. P. Torrance & H. T. Safter (1990) What is the “aha”? Moments of “insight” “intuition” “revelation” Moments of “wholeness” or “oneness”

uniting with everything Rational vs Supra-rational view of Creativity Non-linear sequence/-ing of creative events

The Incubation Model of Teaching

Creative “indicators” beyond the “big 4” factors: 13 additional “qualities” Highlighting the essence (abstract titles) Keeping open (resist premature closure) Emotional awareness Putting ideas into context Combining & synthesizing Visualize richly, colorfully Using fantasy Using movement & sound Unusual visual perspective/s Internal visualizations Extending/breaking through boundaries Using humor Getting glimpses of infinity

The Incubation Model of Teaching:

3 Additional Issues Problem-finding

Pervasive impediment: Assuming the problem is known, therefore, focus on finding the solution

Producing Alternatives At all levels of problem-solving, increased

fluency supports the processes; the more alternatives, the greater the probability of creative solution/s

Originality: Acceptance of being “different” Adequate time Play with ambiguity/uncertainty Heightened awareness of importance Make legitimate

The Incubation Model:Information Processing Strategies for Creative

Teaching & Learning Stage 1: Heightening

Anticipation Stage 2: Deepening Expectations Stage 3: Keeping it Going

The Incubation Model:Creative Teaching &

Learning Stage 1: Heightening Anticipation

(see p.9) Create desire to know Heighten anticipation/expectation Get attention Arouse curiosity Tickle imagination Give purpose/meaning

The Incubation Model:Creative Teaching & Learning

Stage 2: Deepening Expectations (see p.10) Digging deeper Looking twice Listening for smells Crossing out mistakes Cutting holes so see through Cutting corners Getting in deep water Getting out of locked doors

The Incubation Model:Creative Teaching &

Learning Stage 3: Keeping it Going (see pp.11-

12) Having a ball Singing in one’s own key Building sand castles Plugging in the sun Shaking hands with tomorrow

The Incubation Model of Teaching:

13 Qualities

Highlighting the essence Retaining sense of importance Staying focused Discriminate relevant from irrelevant

information

The Incubation Model of Teaching:

13 Qualities

Elaboration Add details Develop a plan Implement/sell a solution

The Incubation Model of Teaching:

13 Qualities

Keep Open Resistance to premature closure Need for & use of time Practice with ideas in variety of

circumstances w/o time constraints

The Incubation Model of Teaching:

13 Qualities Emotional Awareness

Acknowledge role/significance of affective experience/s

Adds to, not replaces, rational-cognitive experience/s

Personal insight/s

The Incubation Model of Teaching:

13 Qualities Putting Ideas into Context

Meaningful synthesis of ideas & experiences

Personal, individual Abstract analysis/synthesis:

Part-part relationships Part-whole relationships Generalizations across concepts

The Incubation Model of Teaching:

13 Qualities Combine & Synthesize

Combine types & modes of information acquisition, processing & retrieval

“Brain laterality”: Right- vs Left-brained

Visualize Richly & Colorfully Alternative perceptions

The Incubation Model of Teaching:

13 Qualities

Using Fantasy Future possibilities Varying point-of-view Feeling comfortable with the “unknown” Unconstrained by “reality”

The Incubation Model of Teaching:

13 Qualities

Using Movement & Sound Experience via multiple modalities

deepens concept learning Kinesthetic & auditory experiences:

Natural modalities for children (& experienced adults)

The Incubation Model of Teaching:

13 Qualities

Unusual Visual Perspectives Ability to “see in different ways” heightens

experiences of innovation & inventiveness

Internal Visualizations “Seeing the insides” of objects, events,

people, experiences can lead to new, deeper insights; seeing “multiple perspectives”

The Incubation Model of Teaching:

13 Qualities Extending/breaking through Boundaries

Confronting the “what’s given” limitation/bias

Recognizing that new possibilities always exist

Acknowledging the potential for & ambiguity of the “incomplete” idea, object, etc, & continuing problem-solving work

The Incubation Model of Teaching:

13 Qualities

Using & Enjoying Humor Integrates or synthesizes physiological,

psychological & social processes Accepting/understanding perceptual,

conceptual incongruities Recognizing unusual, unexpected

combinations, surprises

The Incubation Model of Teaching:

13 Qualities

Glimpses of Infinity Open-ended environment Positive focus on the future Actively engaging one’s self as part of

perceived future for ideas to transcend the present

Developing anticipation for an open-ended, multi-possibility future

The Incubation Model of Teaching

Creative “indicators” beyond the “big 4” factors: 13 additional “qualities” Highlighting the essence (abstract titles) Keeping open (resist premature closure) Emotional awareness Putting ideas into context Combining & synthesizing Visualize richly, colorfully Using fantasy Using movement & sound Unusual visual perspective/s Internal visualizations Extending/breaking through boundaries Using humor Getting glimpses of infinity