Introduction

Aims 

The aim of this blog is to reflect upon 5 key concepts studied throughout the 'Enquiring Minds' module and to explain their significance within 21st century education. This blog will also consider the work of others and reflect upon my personal opinions. 

Key Concepts

1. Creativity in today's Curriculum: Does Education kill Creativity? 

2. Creative Partnerships 

3. Curriculum Design: The Leonardo Effect

4. Curriculum Design: Mantle of the Expert  

5. Creative Opportunities in the Outdoor Learning Environment 

Honorato (2014) is an American entrepreneur that provided this definition of Creativity.

What is Creativity?

Gardner (1997, p. 48) stated that 'Creativity is the ability to solve problems, fashion products and to raise new questions.'  

However, Lucas (2001, p.2) defined the term Creativity as 'A state of mind where in which all our intelligence's work together.'

Sharp (2014) agreed and specified that being creative enables children to make connections between one area of learning and another and so extends their understanding. This area includes art, music, dance, role-play and imaginative play.


Sharp (2014) contested that definitions of creativity are not straightforward.  However, she agreed with most theorist opinions that creativity involved a number of components, five to be exact. These are:

• Imagination

 • Originality
   (The ability to come up with ideas and products that are new and unusual)

 • Productivity 
   (The ability to generate a variety of different ideas through divergent        thinking)

 • Problem Solving (Application of knowledge and imagination to a given                 situation)

 • The ability to produce an outcome of value and worth.

Bibliography

Gardner, H. (1997) Extraordinary minds. New York: Basic Books.

Honorato, M. (2014) Creativity.  http://www.mhonorato.com/creativity (Accessed: 15 November 2014).

Lucas, B. (2001) 'Creative Teaching, Teaching Creativity and Creative Learning', in Craft, A., Jeffrey, B., and Leibling, M. (eds.) Creativity in Education. London: Continuum. pp. 2-3.

Sharp, C. (2014) 'Developing young children’s creativity: What can we learn from research? How has creativity been interpreted in educational policy?'  pp.5. [Online]. Available at:  http://moodle.swanseamet.uwtsd.ac.uk/pluginfile.php/73893/mod_resource/content/1/Seminar%20reading.pdf (Accessed: 15 November 2014)

Sharp, C. (2014) 'Developing young children’s creativity: what can we learn from research? Defining creativity.'  pp.5. [Online]. Available at:  http://moodle.swanseamet.uwtsd.ac.uk/pluginfile.php/73893/mod_resource/content/1/Seminar%20reading.pdf  (Accessed: 15 November 2014)