Planning for creativity
Why is it that some people can articulately describe and actually facilitate their personal creative process while others have no idea how they go about “making” things? You might think just “letting ideas happen,” sparks the highest level of creativity: serendipitous fireworks that splash across our mental and aesthetic skyline. I would propose that those who pause to notice, name, and massage their personal creative process — a seemingly UNcreative thing to do– are the most prolific artists, writers, and thinkers.
Analyzing how a successful project evolves requires a very sophisticated level of metacognition, a true intrapersonal intelligence. Taking note of the circumstances that help you generate ideas or pluck the best from a messy pile of possibilities will help you “set up” similar circumstances the next time you seek to complete a project.It seems counterintuitive that those we call “creative” people actually do this. We think of artists and writers as somewhat random — or a little crazy. Artists, writers, and deep thinkers may not call it metacognition, but they pay attention, tuned in with a powerful intrapersonal awareness, to how they work. Their studios or workspaces may seem disorganized, but there is method to their madness, and they KNOW that method. Those less aware among us may founder when asked to “be creative,” not because we lack ideas, but because we don’t know enough about how our own creative process works to move from inspiration to fruition.
In about two months, I have a presentation about creative process at ISTE2011. Right now, I am struggling with exactly the process I propose to speak about. I need to manage my own creative process, putting this presentation together on a deadline and subject to the accountability of my own presentation proposal. I know that allowing subliminal incubation time with a looming deadline has always worked for me. Mulling questions in the background as I swim, walk, work, drive, and do other things has always helped me reach an AHA! moment when ideas explode to the forefront. At that moment, I know how to put the presentation or quilt or blog post or article together. But it is frightening to manage this need for a looming deadline and time for incubation when I have so many other tasks at hand, not the least of which involves relaunching a huge web site on exactly the same timeline as the presentation! And I wonder: Is it better to work up against pressure and a looming deadline or force ahead now to be overprepared and possibly stale? Which makes for the most creative, vital product? How much should my own messy creative process be shared as part of a preso on creative process? Obviously, I am still at the messy stage right now. So I will step back to look for the learning that can come from this moment.
I think creative process matters for all of us, even those who call themselves “just teachers.” Teaching is a blessedly creative process, if we allow it to be. We sculpt a product — a plan for learning. We try it, revise it, tear it apart, remix its pieces, and try it again. I wonder how many teachers experience teaching this way? I can’t imagine teaching any other way, but it is all I have ever known.
I really enjoyed reading all of this post, but I think the last paragraph really stood out to me. It makes perfect sense. I know that is they way I taught. That is the way that I now work with teachers. When I hear teachers say, “oh I am not creative … I could never do that” it makes me cringe to think about all the things they do that they may not realize (or all the things they could be doing).
I think creativity is strongly tied to critical thinking.
I could identify with “mulling things over” and then the idea on just how to do something “hits” since it happens to me too.
I think I have just found a blog to add to my list of ones to read …
Comment by Melissa — April 21, 2011 @ 9:56 am
Thanks, Melissa. It’s always fun to find kindred spirits via Twitter/blogs!
Comment by Candace Hackett Shively — April 21, 2011 @ 9:59 am
Conditions for creativity are to be puzzled to concentrate to accept conflict and tension to be born everyday to feel a sense of self Erich Fromm.Ill be honest Ive only been composing a relatively short while in comparison to a lot of other composers on here so I dont think that my creative process is in anyway matured its probably all over the place and changes every time I create a score or even music in general. I believe that I dont have enough experience in composing yet to think about my own creative process and see what it looks like so while I was thinking about what to write about in this article I started looking into the psychological side of the creative process and look at some literature on the subject.
Comment by Mike Carabini — April 22, 2011 @ 1:08 pm
I just read a great article about creativity in “Learning and Leading with Technology.” I looked to see who the author was so I could find more from that person. When I typed in the name, I went to the twitter account. When I saw the twitter profile, I clicked on the blog/website. When I got to the blog/website, I saw that I had already left a comment on one of the most recent posts … this one!! What a great “Grow Creativity!” article. I can’t wait to share the ideas about Fluency, Flexibility, Originality, and Elaboration!
Comment by Melissa — April 28, 2011 @ 2:40 pm
Thanks, Melissa. Yes, I guess you can tell that I am deeply committed to modeling ways that creativity is core to any human endeavor and I strive to bring creativity into focus in classrooms and in the lives of kids and adults. Creativity is THE cognitive endorphin!
I am delighted that you enjoyed the article. Please come back to share any experiences you have trying some of the ideas with your students. And help spread the word.
Comment by Candace Hackett Shively — April 29, 2011 @ 7:06 am
[…] kids. But first we need the teachers to recognize creative process in themselves. As I said in a recent post, Teaching is a blessedly creative process, if we allow it to be. We sculpt a product — a plan for […]
Pingback by Think Like a Teacher » The jury has left the room — May 6, 2011 @ 1:24 pm
I absolutely love this! You really spoke to how I personally think and my process for creating! AND how I feel teachers should teach!…This is a first! AMAZINGAMAZING
Comment by Lakeisha Hill — September 20, 2012 @ 4:56 am
Reading your post really made me think about my own creative process. I have always felt that I am not a very creative person. Most of my kindergarten students can draw much better than I can. As I read your post I began to realize that I actually am a very creative person. Your last paragraph is very powerful in saying that teaching is a creative process. As a teacher I am constantly planning, revising, and retrying. Like an artist might do as they work on a project. It takes a lot of creative thinking in order to revise. Reflection also plays a large role in this process. Being a reflective teacher allows us to make these changes to help student learning improve. With everything that teachers do during the day, finding time to reflect is a challenge. Being reflective should be a top priority among educators. Finding the time in your day is crucial to being a highly effective teacher. Thank you for helping me to realize that I am creative!
Comment by Kelli English — October 5, 2012 @ 1:40 pm