Maximising Creativity is a deep-dive into creative and critical thinking. This four-part Professional Learning Community (PLC) engages teachers in Creative Problem Solving (CPS) techniques to strengthen their professional commitment towards creative and critical thinking. It introduces eight new Creative Problem-Solving tools and provides support facilitating teachers to incorporate the new tools into their classroom teaching. ErlyBirds have included two small “new-knowledge” sections and two CPS tools in each of the four, 120-minute sessions. A teacher’s workbook is provided to support the new tools being utilised in lessons.
These workshops focus on active participation, where teachers collaborate on lesson-ideas incorporating the newly acquired CPS tools. The PLC focus allows for intrinsic learning and reflection on each teacher’s pedagogy. CPS aims for a diversity of teaching styles – considering creative and practical learning preferences.
If pupils are required “to be able to use critical and creative thinking” as prescribed by the curriculum (DBE, 2012:4), it implies that teachers are expected to specifically teach these skills to the pupils.
What to expect in each of the four Maximising Creativity Workshops – each workshop awards 15 CPTD points
#MC1
Theory: Rethinking Intelligence & The Elements of Creativity
CPS Tools: Stick ’em Up Brainstorming & Brainwriting
#MC2
Theory: Multiple Intelligences & Sternberg’s Triarchic Theory
CPS Tools: Attribute Listing & SCAMPER
#MC3
Theory: The Creative Classroom
CPS Tools: Word Dance & Visual Connections
#MC4
Theory: Empowering Teachers
CPS Tools: Forced Fittings & Matrixes
ErlyBirds is SACE accredited (SACE Provider No. PR13410) and all workshops offer 15 points.