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with ‘efficiency’ expressed in statistical terms and quick results – all of which
characterize so much of what currently passes for education (Robinson, 2001).
The following chapters, directly or indirectly, all propose ideas which seek to
restore a balance, so that creative teaching can find its place in this otherwise hostile
and increasingly sterile environment. Many of the chapters do not seek to define the
nature of creativity, assuming perhaps that we all know it when we see it. Those which
do attempt to define it, admit the difficulty of finding an inclusive definition. Many of
the chapters subscribe explicitly to the belief that everyone has the capacity to exercise
creativity, that it is not the preserve of a privileged elite. While not everyone will have
the big ‘C’ creative genius of an Einstein, a Picasso, a Mozart or a Dostoevsky,
everyone can exercise what some have called little ‘c’ creativity, which is inherent in
language itself. The chapters also demonstrate how creativity extends right across all
age ranges, all levels of competence, all teaching contexts and all geographical regions.
And it applies equally to teachers as well as learners. Creativity is universal, though its
manifestations may be specific and local. Creativity is widely believed to be about
letting the imagination loose in an orgy of totally free self-expression. It is, of course,
no such thing. Creativity is born of discipline and thrives in a context of constraints. It
is therefore reassuring to find this view repeatedly expressed throughout the collection.
[2] The issue of the value of constraints both as a stimulus and as a support for creativity
will be dressed again later in this chapter. Related to the issue of constraints is the
frequency with which low-resource teaching environments are cited. Many of the
chapters amply demonstrate that we have no need of expensive and elaborate
equipment and technological gizmos to stimulate the latent creativity of our students.
In a sense, the less we have, the more we make of it.
Creativity helps us to deal with change, and as the world changes ceaselessly, so
will more creative solutions be needed. Linguistic creativity in particular is so much
part of learning and using a language that we tend to take it for granted. Yet from the
ability to formulate new utterances, to the way a child tells a story, to the skill of a
stand-up comedian, to the genius of a Shakespeare, linguistic creativity is at work.
In Carter’s words. In the learning context, creativity also seems to stimulate, to
engage, to motivate and to satisfy in a deep sense. Many of the chapters in this book
testify to the motivational power which is released when we allow students to express
themselves creatively. Likewise, creativity tends to improve student self-esteem,
confidence and self-awareness. This enhanced sense of self-worth also feeds into more
committed and more effective learning. When we are exercising our creative capacities
we tend to feel more ourselves, and more alive.
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