What do you do if learners lack creativity in project-based activities?

Provide Inspiration: Share examples of creative projects related to the topic or theme of the activity. This can help spark ideas and inspire learners to think outside the box. Encourage Brainstorming: Foster a supportive environment where learners feel comfortable sharing their ideas without fear of judgment. Encourage brainstorming sessions where everyone can contribute their thoughts and build upon each other's ideas. Offer Choice and Autonomy: Give learners the freedom to choose their project topics or approaches within certain guidelines. When learners have a sense of ownership over their projects, they are more likely to feel motivated and engaged in the creative process.

Please provide examples of creative projects and encourage them to think outside the box. Offer guidance and prompts, such as brainstorming sessions or creative exercises, to stimulate creativity. Break down complex tasks into smaller, more manageable steps to reduce overwhelm and encourage experimentation. Incorporate elements of choice and autonomy into the projects to empower learners to explore topics that interest them and unleash their creativity.

I always encourage the students by showing them just how out-there they are allowed to be. I used to have an exercise for my ESL students every year where they would have to draw an invention and describe it. My example was a useful nose-cleaning brush complete with an over-the-top blurb. The vast majority of people did excellently on that task because they knew they could be as crazy as they liked. Also, they had an example where they could think to themselves, "I can do better than that. I have a better idea."

Mind Mapping: Use mind mapping tools like MindMeister or Coggle to visually organize and connect ideas. This technique can help learners brainstorm and explore different aspects of their projects in a non-linear way. Storyboarding: Storyboarding tools like Storyboard That or Canva's storyboard feature can help learners plan and visualize their project ideas, especially for multimedia or narrative-based projects. Digital Collaboration Platforms: Platforms like Miro or Google Jamboard enable real-time collaboration and brainstorming among learners. They can use these tools to collectively generate ideas, share feedback, and co-create project plans.

Choice. Students are not engaged because the project, while they are hands-on, are not relative to them. Modify the project description to allow students to demonstrate those same skills, but through their own ideas. In fact, have them submit a project proposal where you can grill them on their idea, really make them defend it, which it turn deepens their "buy-in" investment. Win Win. Now push them to go beyond your expectations to reach their own expectations. You will find now they are submitting higher quality projects for their own reason, not your reasons.