Developing Creativity Instructor Guide
TABLE OF CONTENTS Preface ..............................................................................................................................................7 What is Courseware? ................................................................................................................................ 7 How Do I Customize My Course? .............................................................................................................. 7 Materials Required ................................................................................................................................... 9 Maximizing Your Training Power .............................................................................................................. 9 Module One: Getting Started ........................................................................................................... 11 Housekeeping Items................................................................................................................................ 11 The Parking Lot ....................................................................................................................................... 12 Workshop Objectives .............................................................................................................................. 12 Module Two: What Is Creativity?...................................................................................................... 13 Divergent Thinking.................................................................................................................................. 13 Problem Solving ...................................................................................................................................... 14 Imagination and Inspiration ................................................................................................................... 15 Something Out of Nothing ...................................................................................................................... 16 Case Study............................................................................................................................................... 17 Module Two: Review Questions.............................................................................................................. 18 Module Three: Getting Inspired ........................................................................................................ 21 Introspection ........................................................................................................................................... 21 Read More .............................................................................................................................................. 22 Removing the Mental Block .................................................................................................................... 23 Art Inspires Art ........................................................................................................................................ 24 Case Study............................................................................................................................................... 25 Module Three: Review Questions ........................................................................................................... 26
Module Four: Beating Procrastination .............................................................................................. 30 Get Rid of Clutter .................................................................................................................................... 30 Self-Imposed Limitations ........................................................................................................................ 31 Build on Small Successes ......................................................................................................................... 32 Don’t Start at the Beginning ................................................................................................................... 33 Case Study............................................................................................................................................... 33 Module Four: Review Questions ............................................................................................................. 35 Module Five: Improving Your Creative Mindset (I) ............................................................................ 38 Open Mind .............................................................................................................................................. 38 Do Not Judge........................................................................................................................................... 39 Positive Mindset ..................................................................................................................................... 40 Ask Why? ................................................................................................................................................ 41 Case Study............................................................................................................................................... 42 Module Five: Review Questions .............................................................................................................. 43 Module Six: Improving Your Creative Mindset (II) ............................................................................. 46 Make Associations .................................................................................................................................. 46 Keep a Journal......................................................................................................................................... 47 Question Assumptions ............................................................................................................................ 48 Creative Confidence ................................................................................................................................ 49 Case Study............................................................................................................................................... 50 Module Six: Review Questions ................................................................................................................ 51 Module Seven: Curiosity .................................................................................................................. 54 Spark Your Curiosity ................................................................................................................................ 54 Curiosity is the Engine of Creativity ........................................................................................................ 55 Engage .................................................................................................................................................... 56 Ask Open-Ended Questions ..................................................................................................................... 57
Case Study............................................................................................................................................... 58 Module Seven: Review Questions ........................................................................................................... 59 Module Eight: Take Risks.................................................................................................................. 62 Be Confident ........................................................................................................................................... 62 Scared to Fail?......................................................................................................................................... 63 Fake It Till You Make It ........................................................................................................................... 64 Afraid to Be Judged ................................................................................................................................. 65 Case Study............................................................................................................................................... 66 Module Eight: Review Questions ............................................................................................................ 67 Module Nine: Think Like a Child ....................................................................................................... 70 Daydream ............................................................................................................................................... 70 Be Curious ............................................................................................................................................... 71 Play Games ............................................................................................................................................. 72 Experiment .............................................................................................................................................. 72 Case Study............................................................................................................................................... 74 Module Nine: Review Questions ............................................................................................................. 75 Module Ten: Environmental Factors ................................................................................................. 78 Work Area ............................................................................................................................................... 78 Additional Environments ........................................................................................................................ 79 Get Enough Sleep .................................................................................................................................... 80 Variables ................................................................................................................................................. 81 Case Study............................................................................................................................................... 82 Module Ten: Review Questions .............................................................................................................. 83 Module Eleven: Individual Brainstorming ......................................................................................... 86 Generate A Lot of Ideas .......................................................................................................................... 86 Mind Mapping ........................................................................................................................................ 87
Visualization ........................................................................................................................................... 88 Organize and Bring Ideas Together ........................................................................................................ 89 Case Study............................................................................................................................................... 90 Module Eleven: Review Questions .......................................................................................................... 91 Module Twelve: Wrapping Up .......................................................................................................... 94 Words from the Wise .............................................................................................................................. 94 Review of Parking Lot ............................................................................................................................. 94 Lessons Learned ...................................................................................................................................... 94 Completion of Action Plans and Evaluations .......................................................................................... 95
Creativity requires the courage to let go of certainties. Eric Fromm Preface What is Courseware? Welcome to Courseware.com, a completely new training experience! Our courseware packages offer you top-quality training materials that are customizable, user-friendly, educational, and fun. We provide your materials, materials for the student, PowerPoint slides, and a take-home reference sheet for the student. You simply need to prepare and train! Best of all, our courseware packages are created in Microsoft Office and can be opened using any version of Word and PowerPoint. (Most other word processing and presentation programs support these formats, too.) This means that you can customize the content, add your logo, change the color scheme, and easily print and e-mail training materials.
How Do I Customize My Course? Customizing your course is easy. To edit text, just click and type as you would with any document. This is particularly convenient if you want to add customized statistics for your region, special examples for your participants’ industry, or additional information. You can, of course, also use all of your word processor’s other features, including text formatting and editing tools (such as cutting and pasting). To remove modules, simply select the text and press Delete on your keyboard. Then, navigate to the Table of Contents, right-click, and click Update Field. You may see a dialog box; if so, click “Update entire table” and press OK.
(You will also want to perform this step if you add modules or move them around.) Page 7
If you want to change the way text looks, you can format any piece of text any way you want. However, to make it easy, we have used styles so that you can update all the text at once. If you are using Word 97 to 2003, start by clicking the Format menu followed by Styles and Formatting. In Word 2007 and 2010 under the Home tab, right-click on your chosen style and click Modify. That will then produce the Modify Style options window where you can set your preferred style options. For example, if we wanted to change our Heading 1 style, used for Module Titles, this is what we would do:
Now, we can change our formatting and it will apply to all the headings in the document. For more information on making Word work for you, please refer to Word 2007 or 2010 Essentials by Courseware.com.
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Materials Required All of our courses use flip chart paper and markers extensively. (If you prefer, you can use a whiteboard or chalkboard instead.) We recommend that each participant have a copy of the Training Manual, and that you review each module before training to ensure you have any special materials required. Worksheets and handouts are included within a separate activities folder and can be reproduced and used where indicated. If you would like to save paper, these worksheets are easily transferrable to a flip chart paper format, instead of having individual worksheets. We recommend these additional materials for all workshops:
Laptop with projector, for PowerPoint slides
Quick Reference Sheets for students to take home
Timer or watch (separate from your laptop)
Masking tape
Blank paper
Maximizing Your Training Power We have just one more thing for you before you get started. Our company is built for trainers, by trainers, so we thought we would share some of our tips with you, to help you create an engaging, unforgettable experience for your participants.
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Make it customized. By tailoring each course to your participants, you will find that your results will increase a thousand-fold. o
Use examples, case studies, and stories that are relevant to the group.
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Identify whether your participants are strangers or whether they work together. Tailor your approach appropriately.
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Different people learn in different ways, so use different types of activities to balance it all out. (For example, some people learn by reading, while others learn by talking about it, while still others need a hands-on approach. For more information, we suggest Experiential Learning by David Kolb.)
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Make it fun and interactive. Most people do not enjoy sitting and listening to someone else talk for hours at a time. Make use of the tips in this book and your own experience to keep your participants engaged. Mix up the activities to include individual work, small group work, large group discussions, and mini-lectures.
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Make it relevant. Participants are much more receptive to learning if they understand why they are learning it and how they can apply it in their daily lives. Most importantly, they want to know how it will benefit them and make their lives easier. Take every opportunity to tie what you are teaching back to real life.
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Keep an open mind. Many trainers find that they learn something each time they teach a workshop. If you go into a training session with that attitude, you will find that there can be an amazing two-way flow of information between the trainer and trainees. Enjoy it, learn from it, and make the most of it in your workshops.
And now, time for the training!
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An essential aspect of creativity is not being afraid to fail. Edwin Land Module One: Getting Started Creativity and innovation will improve your chances of success in business and in life. Fortunately, there are steps that can be take to inspire you and develop your creative mindset. By changing the way that you think and overcoming your fear of risk, you will improve you creativity and change your life. Implementing the guidelines in this module is the first step to forever changing your creative process.
Housekeeping Items Take a few moments to cover basic housekeeping items.
If you need an opening or a way to introduce the participants to each other, utilize the Icebreakers folder to begin or between breaks during the day.
Let participants know where they can find washrooms, break facilities, and fire exits.
Ask participants to turn off their cell phones or at least turn them to vibrate. If they must take a call, request that they do it outside.
Take this time to encourage the group to ask questions and make this an interactive workshop.
Write the words Respect, Confidentiality, and Practice on a piece of flip chart paper and tape it to the wall. Explain to participants that in order to get the most out of this workshop, we must all work together, listen to each other, explore new ideas, and make mistakes. After all, that’s how we learn!
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The Parking Lot Explain the concept of The Parking Lot to participants.
The Parking Lot is a visible place where you will “park” ideas that arise which are not on the agenda, may be off topic, or are better addressed outside of the program.
At the end of the session, we will review parked ideas and follow up, or make suggestions for your own investigation when you are back at work.
Suggestions for the trainer: 1. If you are working with a large group of participants, you may wish to nominate a recorder to park items as you are facilitating. 2. It’s a good idea to note the name of the contributor along with the parked item. 3. Items noted on the parking lot can be useful to you later as you plan future training sessions.
Workshop Objectives Research has consistently demonstrated that when clear goals are associated with learning, it occurs more easily and rapidly. With that in mind, let’s review our goals for today. At the end of this workshop, participants should be able to:
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Define creativity Act with confidence Engage in curiosity Stop acting out of fear Learn from introspection Take risks
Creativity involves breaking out of established patterns in order to look at things in a different way. Edward de Bono Module Two: What Is Creativity? There are different types of creativity, which makes it difficult to define. People often limit their definitions of creativity to art, but this is too limiting. Creativity comes in the form of original thought, divergent thinking, problem solving, inspiration, and imagination. In order to improve creativity, it is essential that you understand the definition of creative thinking and what steps you can take to improve your own thought process.
Divergent Thinking Divergent thinking moves away from the traditional, convergent thinking, which is linear and analytical. It is looking for the right answer. Divergent thinking, on the other hand, is nonlinear and spontaneous. Rather than finding a single correct answer, the divergent thinker discovers multiple options for addressing problems. Brainstorming, predicting, and imagination activities are all examples of divergent thinking. It is possible to increase divergent thinking by implementing open-ended questions when addressing problems rather than closed questions. We will discuss open-ended questions in a later module. Moving toward divergent thinking may not be comfortable for analytical thinkers, but practice will soon help creativity develop.
Estimated Time
8 minutes
Topic Objective
Introduce divergent thinking. Divergent Thinking
Topic Summary Discuss divergent thinking.
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Materials Required
Flipchart/board and marker
Planning Checklist
None
Recommended Activity
Place a problem on the flipchart. As a group, discuss different ways to address the problem. Make sure that people think outside the box.
Stories to Share
Share any personal or relevant stories.
Delivery Tips
Encourage everyone to participate.
Review Questions
What is convergent thinking?
Problem Solving It is possible to improve the problem solving process by implementing creativity. This requires looking at each problem as a unique situation rather than applying the same principles to every similar problem.
Steps to Creative Problem Solving:
View the problem in different ways. Do not make assumptions that all similar projects or problems are the same. Be open to different problem solving options. Look at the big picture when addressing problems. Keep looking even when the solution is not easily found.
Estimated Time
8 minutes
Topic Objective
Problem solving. Problem Solving
Topic Summary Explore creative problem solving. Materials Required
01- Problem Solving
Planning Checklist
None
Recommended Activity
Complete the worksheet individually. Share your answers with the rest of the class.
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Stories to Share
Share any personal relevant stories.
Delivery Tips
Encourage everyone to participate.
Review Questions
What will improve the problem solving process?
Imagination and Inspiration Inspiration and imagination are essential for creativity. Webster defines imagination as the ability to “recombine the materials furnished by experience or memory, for the accomplishment of an elevated purpose; the power of conceiving and expressing the ideal.” In the modern world, it is easy to ignore the development of the imagination, but this is done to your detriment. Exercising the imagination is necessary to improve creativity. Ways to Improve Imagination:
Read stories. Expose yourself to new experiences and influences. Get enough rest. Daydream and meditate.
Inspiration is what prompts creativity. Inspiration provides the motivation that helps people believe that they can or should do something creative; or inspiration can be an idea that comes suddenly. Inspiration is different for different people. There are ways to improve inspiration, which we will address in a later module.
Estimated Time
8 minutes
Topic Objective
Introduce imagination and inspiration. Imagination and Inspiration
Topic Summary
Consider the importance of imagination and inspiration to the creative process.
Materials Required
Flipchart/board and marker
Planning Checklist
None
Recommended Activity
Discuss inspiration and imagination as a group, and other ways to improve imagination, and list these on the flipchart/board.
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Stories to Share
Share any personal, relevant stories.
Delivery Tips
Encourage everyone to participate.
Review Questions
How does Webster define creativity?
Something Out of Nothing Many people have pointed out that it is not physically possible to create something out of nothing. The idea of creating something out of nothing is creating something new or original. True creativity does more than take from the creativity of others, which is why we value originality. Although, it is possible to find creative ways to improve on what already exists. There is no single method or setting to create something new. From art to science to the office, you can create something in any area as long as you have the imagination and inspiration to develop new ideas.
Estimated Time
8 minutes
Topic Objective
Introduce creating something out of nothing. Something Out of Nothing
Topic Summary Discuss true creativity. Materials Required
Flipchart/board and marker
Planning Checklist
None
Recommended Activity
As a group, discuss the creating new things, and make a list of different creative outlets and examples on the flipchart/board. (For example, painting, smartphones, apps, writing, etc.).
Stories to Share
Share any personal, relevant stories.
Delivery Tips
Encourage everyone to participate.
Review Questions
What is not physically possible?
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Case Study Steve was a logical person who prided himself on his problem solving skills. He focused on the convergent thinking and had tried and true methods he used in specific situations. A new project manager challenged the department to apply creative problem solving. Steve was unimpressed with the ideas, he was certain that his ways were best. The next month, his colleagues surprised him. Several of them came up with new ideas that he never considered. Steve decided to apply his imagination and look at problems in a different light. Over the course of the next few weeks, he was able to increase his productivity by discovering new ways of viewing problems.
Estimated Time
5 minutes
Topic Objective
Outline the What Is Creativity case study. Case study
Topic Summary Discuss the importance of imagination and creativity in problem solving. Materials Required
None
Planning Checklist
None
Recommended Activity
Discuss the outcome of the case study.
Stories to Share
Share any personal, relevant stories.
Delivery Tips
Encourage everyone to participate.
Review Questions
Why did Steve resist increasing creativity?
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Module Two: Review Questions 1. Which of the following thinking is analytical? a) b) c) d)
Engaging Divergent Creative Convergent
Convergent thought is traditional analytical thought that looks for the correct answer. Divergent thought looks for the multiple answers. 2. Which of the following thought process is focused on finding different answer choices? a) b) c) d)
Engaging Divergent Creative Convergent
Convergent thought is traditional analytical thought that looks for the correct answer. Divergent thought looks for the multiple answers. 3. What is often incorrectly assumed? a) b) c) d)
Similar problems share a solution Problems are unique The solution is easy to find All of the above
In problem solving, it is easy to assume that similar problems all have the same solution. This is an incorrect assumption. 4. What do you need to look at when problem solving? a) b) c) d)
In house It does not matter The big picture None of the above
Problem solving requires looking at the big picture. This is done in addition to being openminded and viewing the problem in different ways.
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5. What is Not a way to improve imagination? a) b) c) d)
Read stories Creativity Rest Daydream
Imagination is important to creativity. The other answers are useful for empowering imagination. 6. What prompts creativity? a) b) c) d)
Imagination Nothing Everything Inspiration
Inspiration prompts creativity. It provides motivation to people who feel like they should create something. 7. What do we value? a) b) c) d)
Originality Change Inspiration All of the above
Creativity is thinking of something new. This is why we value originality. 8. In which setting can you create something new? a) b) c) d)
Science Art Office All of the above
It is possible to be creative in any setting. The correct answer is all of the above.
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9. What best describes Steve? a) b) c) d)
Logical Creative Playful Imaginative
Steve is a logical and analytical individual. He was a convergent thinker. 10. What did creative problem solving help increase? a) b) c) d)
Happiness Sales Productivity Closures
As Steve learned creative problem solving, he began to increase his productivity.
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Passion is one great force that unleashes creativity because if you’re passionate about something, then you’re more willing to take risks. Yo-Yo Ma
Module Three: Getting Inspired Motivation and inspiration go hand in hand. When you are inspired, you increase your level of creativity. You should not simply wait for inspiration to find you. You need to get in touch with what you are passionate about and what inspires you. By finding ways to increase your inspiration, you will increase your creativity and help find the motivation that you need.
Introspection Introspection is the process of self-examination, which helps people understand what inspires them. Introspective individuals are in tune with their feelings, thoughts, and what motivates their behavior. The art of introspection requires people to take the time to question what they want and how they feel, which is easy to overlook in today’s fast paced society. Activities such as journaling and meditation will help facilitate the process of introspection. Once people become aware of their thoughts and feelings, they will be in a better position to increase their creativity and achieve their goals.
Estimated Time
7 minutes
Topic Objective
Introduce introspection. Introspection
Topic Summary Consider the importance of introspection. Materials Required
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02- Introspection
Planning Checklist
None
Recommended Activity
Complete the worksheet individually.
Stories to Share
Share any personal, relevant stories.
Delivery Tips
Encourage everyone to participate.
Review Questions
What is introspection?
Read More Reading stimulates thinking and is an important tool to improve creativity. When choosing reading material, be sure to include fictional works because they engage the imagination. Look for stories that you find inspirational, and carve out the time to read them. Begin your reading regime by setting realistic goals. If goals are not realistic, you will not read more. You do not need to carve out hours of reading time. Simply set aside 15 minutes a day to read and find your inspiration.
Estimated Time
7 minutes
Topic Objective
Explore the importance of reading. Read More
Topic Summary Discuss reading. Materials Required
Flipchart/board and marker
Planning Checklist
None
Recommended Activity
Have the class share books that they have found to be inspirational. Make a list of books on the flipchart/board.
Stories to Share
Share any personal, relevant stories.
Delivery Tips
Encourage everyone to participate.
Review Questions
What does reading accomplish?
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Removing the Mental Block Everyone faces mental blocks from time to time. These blocks will prevent focusing, finding answers to problems, discovering inspiration, and achieving goals. Overcoming mental blocks is difficult but it can be done. If you find yourself blocked, stop and refocus by doing something distracting. Consider the following techniques to refocus and overcome the mental blocks:
A change of scenery (someplace relaxing or inspirational) Meditate Read Busy work Exercise
Estimated Time
7 minutes
Topic Objective
Introduce mental blocks. Removing the Mental Block
Topic Summary Consider ways to remove mental blocks. Materials Required
03-Mental Blocks
Planning Checklist
None
Recommended Activity
Complete the worksheet individually. Share your answers with the rest of the class.
Stories to Share
Share any personal, relevant stories.
Delivery Tips
Encourage everyone to participate.
Review Questions
What is a mental block?
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Art Inspires Art Art is inspirational, and throwing yourself into art will inspire your own creativity. Simply exposing yourself to random art is not enough to inspire you. You must find the art that speaks to you. Whether you choose photography, sculpture, painting, dance, theater, music, or computer graphics, there is something to inspire everyone. The art that inspires you does not need to be directly connected to what you do; it simply needs to be inspiring. Once you find the art forms that inspire you, immerse yourself in them. Listen to an inspirational song on the way to work or flip through pictures during lunch breaks. Taking the time to immerse yourself in art will help you find the inspiration that you need to think creatively.
Estimated Time
7 minutes
Topic Objective
Consider the influence of art. Art Inspires Art
Topic Summary Discuss the influence of art. Materials Required
Flipchart/board and marker
Planning Checklist
None
Recommended Activity
Discuss different art forms as a group. Make a list of them on the flipchart/board, and have participants share ways that they can immerse themselves in art.
Stories to Share
Share any personal, relevant stories.
Delivery Tips
Encourage everyone to participate.
Review Questions
What is art?
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Case Study Alice had difficulty finding inspiration for her new project. She tried to think creatively, but she was constantly distracted. A friend suggested that Alice go to the park and try to find some introspection. At first, Alice found the task awkward, but after a few minutes, she realized that she was not happy about the job and secretly did not want to do it. Additionally, she realized that she had not reached many of her goals in life and viewed herself as a failure. Once Alice realized all of the negativity that she brought to the project, she was able to address her own thoughts and feelings and refocus on the task at hand. She was able to present the best project she had ever done.
Estimated Time
5 minutes
Topic Objective
Outline the Getting Inspired case study. Case Study
Topic Summary Discuss how introspection can affect creativity. Materials Required
None
Planning Checklist
None
Recommended Activity
Discuss the outcome of the case study and how failing to find introspection would have changed the outcome.
Stories to Share
Share any personal relevant stories.
Delivery Tips
Encourage everyone to participate.
Review Questions
What was Alice experiencing before finding introspection?
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Module Three: Review Questions 1. What does journaling improve? a) b) c) d)
Introspection Creativity Inspiration All of the above
Introspection provides self-awareness. Journaling and meditation improve introspection. 2. Introspection helps identify _______. a) b) c) d)
Creativity Understanding Inspiration Relationships
Introspection provides understanding that identifies inspiration. This improves creative thinking. 3. Which type of reading material connects with the imagination? a) b) c) d)
All of them Fiction Non fiction Biography
Fiction stories are necessary to engage the imagination. This helps improve creativity. 4. What is true of reading goals? a) b) c) d)
Must be followed Must be approved Must be original Must be realistic
Reading goals need to be realistic. Unrealistic goals will not be met.
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5. What removes mental blocks? a) b) c) d)
Interest Distraction Time Effort
Mental block affect everyone. Distractions will refocus attention. 6. What is not a useful method of removing a mental block? a) b) c) d)
Read Busy work Exercise Work
Distractions are needed to remove mental blocks. Working is not a distraction. The other answers are. 7. Art must speak on which level? a) b) c) d)
Personal Collective Creative None of the above
Art is inspiring. For a piece of art to inspire creativity, it must speak to you on a personal level. 8. How should you respond when you find inspiring art? a) b) c) d)
Look for more Remember it Immerse yourself None of the above
When you find art that speaks to you, you need to immerse yourself in it. This will inspire creativity.
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9. Where did she find introspection? a) b) c) d)
Home Park Office Car
Alice went to the park to be alone with her thoughts. She found introspection at the park. 10. How did Alice view herself? a) b) c) d)
Unimportant Important Success Failure
Alice faced how she viewed herself. She believed she was a failure, which hindered her creativity.
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