Here's how you can cultivate creativity in educational settings.

Becoming curious of the world around them is the foundation. Educators draw a student's eyes away from themselves, their experiences, and the often inaccurate view on their phones, and focuses their attention towards the awe, beauty and wonder around them. As students reflect on the creative masterpiece all around them, it ignites their creative imaginations.

La base de la curiosidad tiene dos fundamentos: la pregunta y el problema. Sin estos dos no se puede alimentar la curiosidad como motor para seguir buscando, aprendiendo, para desarrollar el compromiso con el proceso de aprendizaje y de ir más al fondo. Muchas veces dejamos en segundo plano las preguntas correctas y el profundizar en el problema, en este punto toca literalmente enamorarse del problema. Solo así se consigue que la curiosidad se convierta en un fuego

Encourage Curiosity * Ask open-ended questions: Encourage students to think deeply and explore topics by asking questions that begin with what, how, or why. * Provide hands-on experiences: Engage students in hands-on activities, experiments, and projects that allow them to explore and discover concepts. * Create a curiosity-driven environment: Design a learning space that encourages exploration, * Offer choices: Allow students to choose topics or projects that interest them, promoting autonomy and motivation. * Encourage wonder: Share fascinating facts, videos, or images that spark curiosity and inspire exploration. * Teach research skills: Equip students with the skills to find and evaluate sources, and to conduct effective research.

One way that I’ve been able to create a culture of curiosity is to make it okay to wonder in my classroom. I set up a “wonder” wall so when students had something they were curious about, they could write it down and put it on a post-it note so we could refer to wonderings later, or they could during free time. Encouraging curiosity and the pursuit of finding answers is a key part of helping build creative thinkers.

Firstly, it's all about encouraging exploration and curiosity. Provide students with opportunities to think outside the box, ask questions, and pursue their interests. Incorporating hands-on activities, group projects, and real-world problem-solving tasks can spark creativity and innovation. Also, creating a supportive and non-judgmental environment where mistakes are seen as part of the learning process fosters confidence and risk-taking. Lastly, integrating arts, music, and other creative outlets into the curriculum can inspire students to express themselves creatively in diverse ways.

Creativity flourishes when experimentation is encouraged in educational settings. By promoting a culture of trial and error, you give students the freedom to test ideas without fear of failure. Implement activities that invite students to explore, create, and refine their projects. This could involve science experiments, art-based tasks, or coding exercises, where students can experiment with different techniques and solutions. When students realize that failure is part of the learning process, they become more willing to take risks, leading to innovative thinking and a deeper engagement with the subject matter.

One of my favorite ways to approach assessment is through creative means. Providing students with a springboard of ideas and then letting them run with it always, in my experience, leads to shockingly amazing results. When teaching 4th grade, we were completing a unit on theme within literature. I tasked them with a project: create something that tells a story with a theme. Criteria included: we should be able to identify the story and we should be able to identify the theme. From this simple prompt, I had groups of students create poems, videos, skits, comic books, essays, and web pages. They all demonstrated their understanding of the concept and were SO engaged in the work.

Así como se debe de considerar métodos diversos al mismo nivel es considerar las voces de los estudiantes. En el salón de clases es clave saber escuchar las voces o posiciones de cada uno de nuestros estudiantes de un problema de aprendizaje, solo así vamos a poder tener información clave sobre cuáles métodos usar y no asumir que one size fits all. En situación de aprendizaje es clave identificar esto y pasa por escuchar la voz y punto de vista de todos los estudiantes

En el campo de la educación STEM en el que me he dedicado en los últimos a?os, especialmente con estudiantes de secundaria, innovar y diversificar los métodos de ense?anzas es fundamental. Algo que me gusta siempre dejar en claro con mis estudiantes es que buscamos que desarrollen diferentes habilidades que permitan desarrollar su pensamiento crítico, creativo, ingenieril, entre otros. Para esto utilizo la gamificación en el aula, pues he visto que estas herramientas hacen un ambiente más acogedor y abierto para que los estudiantes aprendan. Y un tip extra, es hablar su lenguaje, hacer relaciones con los videojuegos que utilizan en sus tiempos libres generan un engache muy productivo.

Fostering creativity in educational settings means giving students a platform to express themselves. Encourage self-expression by providing varied opportunities for students to share their thoughts, whether through writing, art, presentations, or performances. By allowing them to communicate in ways that resonate with them, you cultivate a sense of ownership over their learning. Support this with a non-judgmental environment where all ideas are welcomed and valued. When students feel safe to express their unique perspectives, they are more likely to engage deeply and develop their creative abilities.

Sumando a la construcción de espacios físicos de creación o innovación, se debe de trabajar para ayudar a los estudiantes a crear su espacio mental de creación e innovación. Hay una interacción entre lo físico y lo mental y eso debe de crearse en el aula

El espacio creativo es indispensable para el desarrollo de diferentes habilidades en los estudiantes. Muchas instituciones no cuentan con los recursos o un número aumentado de espacios para esto, que esto no te limite. Se puede planificar a lo largo del a?o cómo uno quiere dar sus clases, en qué tema en específico busco que mis estudiantes sean más críticos, en cuál pueden ser más prácticos, entonces puede ir desarrollando diferentes elementos dinámicos a través del tiempo. Que en el curso exista un mural para colgar sus dibujos de ciencias, o ir al patio para hablar sobre la naturaleza, utilicemos los juegos del patio para hablar de físicia. Ojo, esto debemos planificar antes de nuestras clases.

I always strive to create an environment of imperfection. That starts with me. I point out mistakes that I make in fun ways- “Oh gosh, I didn’t mean to do that. Oh well!” Or “No mistakes in art- just happy little accidents!” (A quote by the late great Bob Ross), or my most frequently quoted phrase, “I don’t want to be perfect, perfect is boring!” By normalizing and demystifying mistakes, we’re empowering our learners to be risk takers and own their learning in a deeper way.

Creativity often emerges from playfulness. Incorporate elements of play into educational settings to encourage imagination and out-of-the-box thinking. This could involve gamifying lessons, using role-playing activities, or incorporating humor into your teaching. A playful environment reduces stress and makes learning enjoyable, inviting students to take creative risks. When students are engaged in playful exploration, they are more likely to unlock novel solutions and build connections across different subjects. This lighthearted approach can spark creativity and foster a positive learning atmosphere.

Fostering creativity in educational settings involves practicing active listening. By listening attentively to students' ideas, questions, and concerns, you create a classroom culture where everyone feels valued and understood. Active listening allows you to gauge individual learning styles and tailor your teaching methods accordingly. This practice helps students feel heard and encourages them to share their unique perspectives without hesitation. When students see their contributions are genuinely considered, it can lead to increased participation, collaborative creativity, and a more inclusive learning environment.

La escucha activa es un pilar fundamental en las prácticas educativas innovadoras. Constantemente les invito a mis estudiantes a que me proporcionen ideas de cómo quisieran aprender que sin duda son muy creativas, no todo el tiempo se las puede implementar, pero trato de hacerlo. Otra actividad que solemos hacer es tener un diario de la curiosidad, en el que pueden anotar todo lo que se les ocurra, o que este relacionado con su diario vivir y damos ciertas horas al mes para conversar. Considero que hay muchas herramientas más, recuerda que como docentes somos ese puente para acercar el conocimiento, así que déjate llevar por ense?ar abiertamente junto con tus estudiantes.

To cultivate creativity, it's crucial to value student autonomy in educational settings. Give students the freedom to choose projects, topics, or methods that interest them. This autonomy empowers them to take ownership of their learning journey and approach tasks in ways that align with their individual creativity. By allowing choice and encouraging self-directed learning, you foster a sense of responsibility and motivation. When students feel trusted to guide their own work, they are more likely to explore innovative solutions and develop a genuine passion for learning.

Creativity in educational settings thrives when there's a willingness to embrace change. As an educator, be open to adjusting your teaching methods based on feedback and evolving needs. Experiment with new tools, technologies, and approaches to keep the learning environment dynamic. This flexibility shows students that growth often involves change, encouraging them to adapt and innovate. When students see their environment evolving, it can inspire them to be more receptive to new ideas and take ownership of their own learning journey.