Spark Creativity in the Classroom Cultivating creative minds in the classroom

In today’s fast-paced and ever-evolving world, the ability to think creatively is not only a valuable skill but a necessity for students who want to succeed in their future careers. In fact, according to the World Economic Forum’s “Future of Jobs” report, creativity and innovation are two of the top five skills people will need to thrive at work by 2025. By fostering creative thinking in the classroom, teachers can help students develop problem-solving skills, critical thinking abilities, and unique selfexpression. Students with strong creative thinking skills will also be better equipped to face life’s challenges and adapt to change. Here are five ways teachers can cultivate creativity in the classroom:

1. Create a supportive environment: Establish an atmosphere where students feel comfortable expressing their ideas without fear of criticism. Encourage risktaking, making mistakes, and learning from failure. This supportive environment can give students the confidence to explore their creativity and discover new skills.

2. Encourage brainstorming and group discussions: Regularly incorporate brainstorming sessions and group discussions into lessons. With these activities, students learn to share their ideas, explore different perspectives, and build on each other’s suggestions. Use visual aids such as mind maps, sticky notes, or whiteboards to help students visualise and organise their ideas.

3. Incorporate open-ended projects: Design assignments and projects that allow students to approach problems in various ways and express their unique creativity. Encourage students to experiment with different creative mediums such as writing, art, presentations, or multimedia projects.

4. Encourage reflection: Help students enhance their self-awareness by encouraging them to reflect on their creative work and experiences. This can be done through journaling, discussions, or peer feedback sessions. Students can identify areas for improvement and develop a better understanding of their unique thinking styles.

5. Use creative prompts: Integrate creative prompts into lessons to stretch students’ imaginations and inspire them to think outside the box. For example, the brainsparker app has thousands of random prompts that can be used as triggers to kickstart fun and engaging creative activities.

Encouraging creative thinking in the classroom can benefit both teachers and students, making the learning process more enjoyable and effective for everyone. Additionally, teachers will be equipping their students with strong creative thinking skills preparing them to excel in a fast-changing world. L

Gabriella Goddard is the founder of Brainsparker App www.brainsparkerapp.com

(Available on Apple School Manager) www.brainsparker.com