What is Creativity?

1. What is Creativity? • “Creativity is the interplay between the ability and process by which an individual or group produces an outcome or product that is both novel and useful as defined within some social context.” ~ Plucker & Beghetto,

2. “Creativity correlates with higher-order cognitive , intrinsic motivation, and a sheer love of creating.” ~ Piirto

3. What is Mathematical Creativity? “Mathematical creativity is the ability to produce original work that significantly extends the body of knowledge, and/or the ability to open avenues of new questionsfor other mathematicians.” ~Sriraman

4. It is nearly impossible to think of Einstein’s creation of the theory of relativity without seeing the characteristics of his creativity: independence, risk-taking, originality and intuition. ~ Karolyi

5. Why is Creativity Important? “Educators that adopt a creative approach to teaching are more likely to deliver content and create a learning environment that develops higher order thinking skills.” Buffalo State University International Center for Studies in Creativity

6. “Creativity in the classroom means significant learning for all students. For gifted students, though, the creative dimension can become the critical element that saves them from limiting the direction and extent of their personal journeys as learners.” ~ Joan Smutney

7. Creative thinking focuses on: • exploring ideas • generating possibilities • considering alternative solutions • looking for many right answers (rather than one)

8. Creative thinking can be expressed through: • divergent thinking (reasoning) • openness to new ideas (sensing) • high emotional energy (affective) • keen state of consciousness (intuitive) ~ Clark, 2008

9. Creative thinking stimulates higher-level thinking: • analysis of problems • awareness of new questions • flexible thinking across disciplines • sensitivity to pattern, color, nuance, gesture • discovery of connections • probing of new mysteries ~ Smutney, 2009

10. Creatively Gifted Learners Re-structure Learning and the Learning Environment • Recognize existing patterns • Make connections • Take risks by making changes • Challenge “obvious” assumptions • Take advantage of chance • See in new ways • Make suggestions for improvements.

11. Goal: maximize the learning possibilities of each student through respectful work: ~challenging ~meaningful ~interesting ~ engaging