5 Ways to Destroy Creativity in Your Classroom

The word “no” sets limits. Often boundaries are good and healthy for us to set up in our lives. When we set boundaries by establishing rules and consequences for our students, it often leads to positive results. Sometimes “no” is the appropriate word to choose. But there is one spot where the saying “no” kills what art teachers strive to cultivate in their students: creativity.

98% of Children are Genius, test and study have scientifically proven this.

NASA was already looking for a way to “effectively measure the creative potential of their rocket scientists and engineers” and they had Dr. Beth Jarman and Dr. George Land develop a test designed to recognize the capacity for divergent thinking and creativity.

Scientists of NASA were pleased with both the test and the results, so George Land and Beth Jarman decided to go ahead and test this test on a different group of people. Since the questions were simple and suitable for any age category, we decided to start with pre-schoolers. The results were really impressive.

1600 children between the ages of 4 and 5 were involved in the test and decided to monitor their progress. 98% got the result of “genius” in this test. 5 years later, the same children were given the same test. The figures were disappointing 30%! The same group of children, the same test, and the result worsened more in the third time. Another five years passed, the children became high school students only 12% stayed genius.

After research, psychologists concluded that “The school kills creativity in us.” Creativity is the path to freedom and new accomplishments.

We want our children to be creative, and then, often without thinking about it, we do the very things that destroy it. Encouraging creativity needs tolerance, openness, patience, and acceptance. Busy teachers and overwhelmed parents/guardians are often short of these qualities. However, sometimes all it takes is a little reminder. So, if you find yourself doing any of these things, then ask yourself if there isn’t another method to accomplish a similar goal.

Blackboard and Chalk

Blackboard and chalk method of teaching is a traditional method of teaching and still widely used. In this method, teachers are the ones who make the student familiar with their textbooks. They are also responsible for various information and teachings children learn in their initial age, hence instructions from teachers play a very significant role. Rules and regulations in the classroom completely depend upon a teacher, so freedom of creativity also majorly depends on them. Even the exams conducted are not creativity friendly.

No innovation

Innovation and creativity are two significant things and are heard frequently when we talk about education today. Education is the foundation of our economy. What and how we learn in school determines who we become as individuals and our success throughout our lives. It informs how we solve problems, how we work with others, and how we look at the world around us. Innovation in education is an ongoing process and is needed every once in a while to keep things healthy and engaging for students as well as teachers. Also in today’s innovation economy, education becomes even more important for developing the next generation of innovators and creative thinkers.

Monotonous teaching Methodology

According to the traditional method of teaching, most of the schools and colleges follow wherein “teacher teaches on the board, and students listen to it by seating on the chair”. Over time this method of teaching becomes monotonous and thus student gets bored by this form of teaching. There is a huge gap between teachers and students in terms of their generation. Today’s children expect a teacher to go with their space of interest, instead of teaching by the same old boring method.

Repetitive syllabus

In the face of mounting pressure and countless initiatives that at times seems to pull teachers in different directions, some districts respond the best way they know how: following a syllabus that is repetitive and scripted. This gives the pleasing image of all educators on the “same page,” and would seem to make tracking learning results simpler across classes. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way, and worse, it stifles creativity and ultimately reduces teacher capacity.

The syllabus has to be responsive and flexible. Syllabus maps that aren’t living, breathing documents can confound efforts to align learning experiences. Scripted and repetitive curricula, such as SpringBoard by SAT’s College Board, are a placebo for schools and districts wishing to consistently offer high-level, progressive, and personalized learning experiences that result from well-thought-out innovation.

Less emphasis on practical learning

Just having knowledge on the basis of books has a drastic effect on the skills of students. For one, students will always start their career treated as a novice who has zero experience in using or operating even the simplest of tools. Two, they will no longer be in a learning environment, which means that the new work process could be unpleasant and dangerous. Therefore, at least to prepare a student for the rigors of a job, practical education at a school level is important.

Another significant aspect of practical knowledge is the acquiring of skills. A country is always in need of good, skilled workmen. When it comes to fields like carpentry or metalworking, the country still relies mostly on informally trained personnel and their experience. If schools and especially colleges offer practical subjects with intent, the country will be able to produce graduates who have skills in such areas. This useful experience with the additional theoretical knowledge would prove an asset to the economy, thus increasing the opportunities that are available to the students.

Concluding words

End of creative approach is the prime reason that such students turn out to be struggling employees and all of this ultimately leads to dwindling talent reinforcement and employee management. Technology and other changes in society demand innovation in the education system as well. While many schools face various challenges such as underfunding, unengaged students, and outdated curriculums, innovation offers a path forward.

Innovation is not only important for businesses but in many ways, education stands to benefit the most from utilizing, teaching, and encouraging innovation in the classroom.