As an English teacher, one of the most challenging parts of the job is getting students to think outside the box. From my observations, there are few students who excel both creatively and logically. You know them when you find them. They ace everything from English to math, but it's the ones who are on either one side or another that pose the most challenge for teachers.
The Creative Kid Who Is Always in His Own World
Students who struggle with concrete concepts like math and science have a special place in my heart. Many teachers take one look at these students and write them off due to the fact that they struggle in particular subjects. These students remind me of myself. I wasn't the best student in high school and it really took until college before I gained an appreciation for subjects like math. However, I always loved creative writing assignments. Part of the reason I struggled in these subjects is the fact that I lived in my own world most of the time. The teacher might have been explaining 2 step equations, but I was sitting at my desk daydreaming about super powers or the impending zombie apocalypse. Creativity is a skill that has seemingly fell flat. It's no longer deemed important and I feel it's a true shame. Unfortunately, while creative talents have certainly been kind to particular individuals in the job market, many employers are now seeking concrete skills for their businesses, and if you don't have these skills, your creative writing degree will have a hard time finding you a job. So while there is some merit for getting away from teaching creativity, creative projects allow students to develop critical thinking skills often needed for the workplace. For these students, students like myself, it's imperative that we gain their attention early so that they may learn to respect skills like math and science. It's just difficult to pull them from their world long enough to do it.
Logical, Concrete Students
Getting a student who has no interest in math and science to suddenly want to learn about equations and proofs is tough challenge. However, students who love concrete applications can be just as difficult to reach. These are the students who excel when it comes to multiple choice tests and scientific reasoning but come up short when it comes to creative works. Why is it so hard to teach these students? Explaining to a student that they aren't thinking outside the box is very difficult. Their writing may be grammatically flawless but has the depth of a water fountain. They see the world in black and white, but avoid the shades of grey in between. Many teachers would argue that creativity simply can't be taught, but I would say that's not entirely true. Is it true that some students will naturally excel at certain subjects while others will struggle? Yes, definitely. However, by asking students critical questions surrounding a text or issue can possibly give them the ability to see the world from different angles.
So Why do Students Need a Diverse Array of Abilities?
Students are failing to graduate high school with the abilities needed to excel in both college and the job market. Students who can't think critically are automatically unqualified for jobs, even those in their field to study study after college. Similarly, and unfortunately, those who only enjoy the creative arts have nearly no place in the job market. Trust me; I'm an English major. It's for this reason students need to have the capability to both think outside the box, and at the same time, gain an appreciation for the sciences from an early age.
For the sake of discussion, what is your views on teaching creativity in the classroom? Can it be done? If so, how?
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