Creative Thinking

1. Creative Thinking Techniques for Creative Communication

2. New What is creative thinking? Creative Thinking Critical Thinking A way of thinking that allows one to come to the best possible decision using the knowledge, experience, and information currently available. Innovative Original Ideas or Solutions Lateral

4. Creativity Creative thinking is not a talent; it's a skill that can be learned. It empowers people by adding strength to their natural abilities, which improves creativity and innovation, which leads to increased productivity and profit. Edward De Bono

5. Creative Thinking Techniques Allow teachers to bring creativity into the classroom Can be used to structure activities for more creative thinking Can be added to language practice and think time to improve the creative and communicative interactions with language

6. The Techniques

7. You have probably heard of: • Brainstorming • Generating ideas related to a topic with a group • Mind Mapping • Create a map or webbing to expand on ideas and show idea connection and development

8. Idea Box • Create the following chart:

9. Idea Box • Generate different ways to do something similar • Put those ideas together to come to a new way to do something • IN EFL: • Generate different ways to communicate information • Use a role-play, interview, or information gap to communicate in different ways

10. Lotus Blossom • Draw the following circle: Who do you call?

11. Lotus Blossom • Begin with a single idea • Branch out from that idea, expanding on connected ideas, bringing in reason, and new attributes • IN EFL: • Start with a topic, subject, or point • Expand on who, what, when, where and why as appropriate and time permits • Role play, interview, mingle, or jigsaw to share ideas and information

12. Exquisite Corpse • Listen for your assignments.

13. Exquisite Corpse • Multiple collaborations with artists and writers to create unique drawings and text • One person starts, passing it on to the next person who continues to build and expand on the idea • IN EFL: • Use with images or writing • Assign Ss with initial assignment • Have Ss exchange taking on the next role in the assignment • Continue until a work is complete

14. Random Element • Create this chart.

15. Random Element • When stuck on a problem or in a situation pick something at random and try to make a connection • IN EFL • Have Ss generate a number of ideas related to the topic • Using a spin or toss have Ss incorporate into a conversation about the topic

16. Imperative Spin

17. Additional Techniques • Reverse Brainstorming • Present your idea • Brainstorm opposite ideas or in a different way • Ex) What is your favorite food? Why would you dislike it? • SCAMPER Brainstorming • Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, • Put to another use, Eliminate, Reverse • Ex) What language do we use to make a phone call? What else could we use? How could we combine that with another topic we have studied? Etc…

18. “You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” ― Maya Angelou

20. Thank you! Questions! • You can download lesson plans and worksheets for all of these techniques at http://www.saradavila.com