Strategies for DevelopingCreativity and Critical Thinking

Learning Team C:Ruth Brown, Nathan Ward & Lori White

MED 560 Instructor Mike Torres

Encouraging High School StudentsFive Strategies for developing creativity

Five Strategies for developing critical thinking

Creativity

Brainstorming Sessions

During brainstorming sessions make it clear that all ideas are acceptable and are immune to judgment. This collaborative effort will produce morecreative answers to problems

Support Mistakes

Students should feel welcome and free from judgment when having made mistakes. Whengiven the environment to learn by doing it isimportant to give students the opportunity to screwup their work so that on the next round they knowhow to properly execute their assignment.

Creativity

Creativity

Find ExcitementEncourage students to express what isexciting to them. For example allowing students to listen to music while completing assignments; This doesn't normally happen in the classroom.So when encouraging them to listen to what helpsThem learn it will also excite them. Having students share what they like to listen to and how they learn, allows them to want to share with their teacher what excites them or their interest and abilities.

Creativity

Be a Role Model

When students are a witness to their instructors modeling creativity they become creative. Showing students how to be creative assist in their creativity.

Creativity

Allow time for creativitySociety is in such a rush that everything is a Right now or forget it scenario In order for studentsTo become creative we need to time to evaluate issuesAnd create solutions. This will also suggest that whenPlanning for your high school students to develop theirCreativity also plan for extra time.

Critical Thinking

Open ended questions

When asking students to answer questionsAn instructor must ask open ended questions toPromote creative thought. Yes or no answers do notYeild critical thinking results.

In class debates

Give students the opportunity for active learningBy having them debate each other in class. TheseDebates could revolve around one student’s opinionOf a topic or around factual evidence supporting the topic.

Critical Thinking

Critical Thinking

Maintain a sense of humor

Encourage students to laugh at themselves And situations. Allowing this “free” atmosphereWill help you and your students have the opportunityTo have clear thoughts and perspective.

Critical Thinking

When under pressure stop and think

Quick decisions will make for poor results.Procrastinating doesn't allow the time to reviewThe content of the solution to the problem at hand.Having time allows students to think outside the box;and in turn will generate critical thinking.

Critical Thinking

Keep an open mind

Remind students not to allow their opinions to Interfere with having open discussions. Having anopportunity to express your thoughts and listen toothers encourages students to evaluate everyone’sperspective.

References• http://www.cdl.org/resource-library/articles/teaching_creativity.php

http://www.wikihow.com/Develop-Critical-Thinking-Skills