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Welcome to the Creativity Cafe. Josie Harvey University of Huddersfield j.v.harvey@hud.ac.uk. Paper is based on findings and developments of an on-going TQEF Project in ‘Creativity and Innovation in Teaching in Higher Education’
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Welcome to the Creativity Cafe Josie Harvey University of Huddersfield j.v.harvey@hud.ac.uk
Paper is based on findings and developments of an on-going TQEF Project in ‘Creativity and Innovation in Teaching in Higher Education’ • Purpose of the project is to establish a development unit which will encourage and promote creative and innovative teaching and learning across the University.
The paper has four Themes • How the Creativity Café was built. 2. How the ideas and activities of the Café Menu were developed. 3. Reflecting on the networking of the ‘customers’. • The benefits, issues and way forward
Using a Collaborative Methodology • Interviewed over 40 academic staff • Creative and innovative methods they used in teaching • The importance of creativity to them and their students
Main Findings from the inquiry • 4 Broad Categories of Creativity identified • Unaware of creative practice outside the department • Welcomed the opportunity to meet others and share their work on creativity
4 Broad Categoriesof Creativity in Teaching • The Process of Creative Thinking • Creative Teaching Techniques • Creativity in Community and Employer Engagement • Creativity and Information Technology
The Creativity Cafe • An informal, but structured day where staff could network and share good practice • Themed session set out in a ‘bistro’ style with tablecloths, candles and waiters • ‘Diners’ sat with unfamiliar staff • Followed up at least one contact • Activities around the 4 areas of creativity
Feedback from the Creativity Cafe • All relished the time and space to share good practice • New ideas on creative practice and a chance to share issues • More examples wanted of creative teaching techniques • More opportunities to network and collaborate across Schools
Where next… • Creativity Cafes are on the Staff Development listing for next year • Encouraging informal networks between staff • Networking with other universities and their Centres of Creativity • Setting up a Creativity website • Producing a Creative Teaching Techniques DVD for July 2008 • ‘A Toolkit for Creative Teaching in Post-Compulsory Education’ textbook published March 2009 • National Conference Café at the University on 6th November 2008