5 Simple Techniques to Develop Creativity in Students for Modern Classrooms
Introduction
“It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge” ~ Albert Einstein
Creativity is one must-have skill that students should learn to stay ahead of the competition in this fast-paced world. It not only enables them to think out of the box but also solve problems in innovative ways in the changing learning environment. If you view things from an educator's point of view, you will likely find that most students perform better in a creative environment. This is because creativity helps students think critically and originally leading to many innovative ideas.
In this blog, we will discuss the top five techniques that school leaders, principals, and educators can use to enhance students' creativity and nurture growth in modern classrooms.
Understanding creativity in students
Many believe that creativity in students is an inborn skill; however, much to the contrary, it can be developed with the right guidance and support over time. For students, it means sharing new ideas and ways of thinking to tackle obstacles. Hence, educators can build important life skills by encouraging creativity among students, like resourcefulness and confidence. This is crucial because, in today’s world, students need to be able to adapt, solve complex problems, and think in innovative ways to succeed. Therefore, nurturing creativity helps students prepare for the demands of modern life and work.
According to a report, approximately 70% of CBSE-affiliated schools have integrated creative learning programs into the curriculum to promote innovativeness among students. Furthermore, this learning is segregated into Project-Based learning and Art-Integrated Learning, which encourages students to develop practical knowledge.
How to enhance creativity in students?
Here are the best five techniques to nurture creativity in students:
1. Encourage Collaborative Learning
Collaboration is one of the effective ways to spark creativity. A study by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) revealed that students who were involved in collaborative learning showed a 25% increase in creative problem-solving skills compared to those who learned individually.
With group work, students can share more ideas, inspired by one another's thoughts. This approach can even help them view problems from other angles, leading to innovative ideas. Open communication during collaborative learning enhances the creative process by combining diverse perspectives. Group projects, brainstorming sessions, and peer discussions can create an environment that encourages creativity in students.
2. Integrate Technology in Education
In this digital age, technology plays a crucial role in enhancing creativity in students. According to the National Educational Technology Forum, NETF, schools that adopt technology-based curricula have a significant impact on students, with their creative skills growing 35% through access to various sources and interacting more efficiently with peers.
Students would get a chance to experiment with new forms of expression, such as video editing, coding, and graphic design, using digital tools and platforms. These apps and software enable students to engage in creation, discovery, and innovation in ways that would have been impossible in a normal classroom setting. Educators would be able to prompt their students to think about new ways and means of solving problems by incorporating technology into lessons.
3. Provide Real-Time Problems to Solve
Creative thinking in the classroom is the right approach to help students develop problem-solving skills. Research conducted on primary school students in India revealed that engaging students in creative problem-solving activities leads to better outcomes in terms of creativity and critical thinking. According to the study, a structured program on creative problem-solving can actually improve these among young children.
Presenting students with real-world problems is yet another method to improve student creativity. This can help them to effectively overcome real-time issues in life, as most real-time issues often cause confusion, which can encourage them to think critically. For example, they may start analysing the present situation and what the situation will be in the future. As a result, they not only practice effective problem-solving skills but also guide students through project-based learning and foster practical creativity.
4. Design a Flexible Learning Environment
A rigid classroom structure might discourage innovation. Therefore, by designing a flexible learning environment, the educator can allow students to develop creativity by sharing innovative or creative ideas.
For instance, open spaces, varied seating arrangements, and flexible schedules allow a student to engage in creative ways that suit his particular learning style. This freedom promotes creative thinking and encourages him not to fear failure or chime in under some kind of constraint. A dynamic classroom setup influences creativity to flourish.
5. Promote Risk-Taking Attitude
A research showed that students who engage with life skills-based programs have positive coping mechanisms and most likely will accept setbacks as potential learning opportunities and thus tend to perform better in studies and interact much better socially. Creativity in students is encouraged in a classroom where they feel safe to take risks and make mistakes.
Encouraging a risk-taking attitude would mean fostering a classroom culture that views failure as an opportunity to learn rather than as something to fear. When students are allowed to experiment, explore, and fail without judgment, they will have the confidence to try new ideas. Such an approach requires students to take risks; creative growth necessitates this so that students learn how to develop resiliency and innovative thinking.
Conclusion
Creativity skills for students is not just an artistic expression but it is about providing students with the tools required to think imaginatively and find unique solutions to their problems. Hence, educators can foster creativity by encouraging collaboration, incorporating technology, solving real-world problems, designing flexible environments, and developing a risk-taking attitude among their students. A creative classroom is not merely a space for learning but for growth, innovation, and preparation for the future.
Embracing creativity in learning can benefit students in many ways. For schools seeking financial support to implement these initiatives, NBFCs like Varthana offer customized financial support with flexible EMIs and quick disbursal options, helping leaders focus on building transformative learning environments without financial stress and staying ahead of their competition.
