MOVING OUT OF THE CREATIVE CHASM:
FOSTERING IMAGINATION & CREATIVITY

Creativity and innovation are intrinsic to gaining advantage in the global knowledge economy of our society. So, how can we encourage and teach our students to be more creative? Since 1968, creativity tests have been administered to groups of children. The results have shown that people gradually become less creative as they age; that we learn not to be creative. Through research findings of own experiences this paper investigates ways in which to sustain creativity in the classroom and to advance, rather than degrade, the development of children’s creativity. Through case studies seven methods are presented on how to create a culture of innovation and creativity within the classroom.

As educators we encourage lifelong learning, help students to prioritise what to learn, how to learn and what issues are most vital to engage with. We aim to provide the timeliest content, in correspondence with the students’ needs. Unfortunately, many of us do not teach the students how to think creatively.

Creativity and innovation are the future drivers of the global knowledge economy. ‘Industries of the mind’ will play a central role in regional and national economies and ideas will be the most valuable resource in the market place. If Australia wishes to be at the creative end of the knowledge economy, training to be innovative and imaginative all starts in students’ early years.

From within a non-competitive and nurturing atmosphere, students need to develop their creative skills, expand their senses of perception, nurture their innovative problem solving skills, be inspired by brainstorming, and new ways of looking at life as being exciting and transformative.

Hardcore technology skills are important and essential, but producing young imaginative minds is crucial - people with stirring imaginations that dream and think creatively.

In order to take our student base to the next level of creativity and innovation, we need to take them beyond the rigid policies, prescriptive processes, and fragmented organisational structures of education, that stifle innovation. To create a fresh thinking environment and to inspire and generate ideation in our classes, a mindset of continuous innovation at every stage of learning needs to be adopted. Such a mindset will allow students to achieve and sustain creativity and leadership in all their areas of study.