LISTEN & LEARN: Can We Teach Creativity by E. Paul Torrance

Can we teach students to think creatively?

In the latest episode of the Fueling Creativity in Education Podcast, hosts Dr. Matthew Worwood and Dr. Cyndi Burnett delve into the work of E. Paul Torrance,the father of creativity in education. This fourth installment of the Listen and Learn series continues the exploration of classic literature in the field of creativity, providing a historical perspective that bridges the gap between research and teaching practices. Beginning with Torrance's groundbreaking paper, "Can We Teach Children to Think Creatively?" published in 1972, Cyndi and Matthew discuss the evolution of creativity studies from Guilford's pioneering speech in 1950 to Torrance's influential theories and tests. Cyndi emphasizes Torrance's vulnerability and the qualitative evidence he presented, while Matthew shares his personal journey into creativity, inspired by Sir Ken Robinson and furthered through applying Torrance's principles in his own classroom.

The episode also spotlights the variety of strategies and modalities Torrance examined for teaching creativity, from creative problem-solving to motivation and environmental factors. Cyndi reflects on her own transformative experience with Dr. Roger Firestein's course and the profound impact it had on her life. Meanwhile, Matthew recounts his early career challenges and eventual discovery of the importance of originality in student projects, leading to a dedicated focus on teaching creative thinking skills.

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Eager to bring more creativity into your school district?
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What to learn more about Design Thinking in Education?
Do you want to build a sustained culture of innovation and creativity at your school? Visit WorwoodClassroom.com to understand how Design Thinking can promote teacher creativity and support professional growth in the classroom.
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