Peter Nilsson gave a presentation on creativity in the classroom at SXSWedu 2012. He began by asking questions about how to teach creativity, what creativity is, and how it relates to critical thinking. He then outlined his presentation, which included definitions of creativity, two new theories of creativity, examples of applying creativity in the classroom, and closing thoughts. Nilsson argued that creativity and critical thinking are both important skills that can be taught through restricting choices and connecting ideas. He also suggested creativity can be assessed through clear guidelines and rubrics.

1. A few books to start with:
Creativity: flow and the psychology of discovery and invention
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
...for reflective thinking about creatives
Creativity 101
James C. Kaufman
...for some cognitive science and creativity
Where Good Ideas Come From
Steven Johnson
...for innovation in culture
Creativity in the Classroom: Promoting Innovative Work
Peter Nilsson - SXSWedu - 3/7/2012
@pnilsson
Saturday, March 17, 12

2. Questions:
How do we teach creativity?
What exactly is creativity?
What is the relationship between creativity
and critical thinking?
How do we assess creativity?
Where does this fit in our already busy lives?
Nilsson - SXSWedu 2012 - Creativity in the Classroom
Saturday, March 17, 12

3. A short argument
Definitions, distinctions
Two new theories
Theory in practice
Closing thoughts
Nilsson - SXSWedu 2012 - Creativity in the Classroom
Saturday, March 17, 12

4. (Why we need critical thinking)
Saturday, March 17, 12

5. r world is like
W hat ou
(Why we need creativity)
Saturday, March 17, 12

6. A short argument
Definitions, distinctions
Two new theories
Theory in practice
Closing thoughts
Nilsson - SXSWedu 2012 - Creativity in the Classroom
Saturday, March 17, 12

7. Taxonomies of Educational Objectives:
Anderson & Marzano &
Bloom (1956) Krathwohl (2001) Kendall (2006) PISA (2000)
Evaluation Create Self-System inking Communicate
Synthesis Evaluate Metacognition Construct
Analysis Analyze Knowledge Utilization Evaluate
Application Apply Analysis Integrate
Comprehension Understand Comprehension Manage
Knowledge Remember Retrieval Access
Le s s o n s :
a l l o we d s i x o bje c t i ve s . )
- ( We’re o n l y a n d o ve r l a p.
s s ign i f ic a n t ag re e me n t
- Th e re i
This scaffolds Critical Thinking.
Nilsson - SXSWedu 2012 - Creativity in the Classroom
Saturday, March 17, 12

8. What is innovation?
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Inn ova n Nilsson - SXSWedu 2012 - Creativity in the Classroom
Saturday, March 17, 12

9. Convergent Thinking Divergent Thinking
Information Solutions
Solution(s) Prompt
Nilsson - SXSWedu 2012 - Creativity in the Classroom
Saturday, March 17, 12

10. A short argument
Definitions, distinctions
Two new theories
Theory in practice
Closing thoughts
Nilsson - SXSWedu 2012 - Creativity in the Classroom
Saturday, March 17, 12

11. Two ways to understand Creativity:
Three Regions for Creativity
A Taxonomy of Creative Design
Nilsson - SXSWedu 2012 - Creativity in the Classroom
Saturday, March 17, 12

12. ree Regions for Creativity
Mental
Modal
Material
Nilsson - SXSWedu 2012 - Creativity in the Classroom
Saturday, March 17, 12

13. Brabantio
= Trust
= Hatred
= Deception
Cassio Othello Roderigo
Iago
Nilsson - SXSWedu 2012 - Creativity in the Classroom
Saturday, March 17, 12

14. How do I teach creativity?
Nilsson - SXSWedu 2012 - Creativity in the Classroom
Saturday, March 17, 12

15. A Taxonomy of Creative Design:
Novelty in
Form
Genesis (Original Creation)
Transformation
Combination
Variation
Novelty in
C u ra tio n Imitation
Content
Nilsson - SXSWedu 2012 - Creativity in the Classroom
Saturday, March 17, 12

16. A short argument
Definitions, distinctions
Two new theories
Theory in practice
Closing thoughts
Nilsson - SXSWedu 2012 - Creativity in the Classroom
Saturday, March 17, 12

17. Content is king (or queen) Simplicity marks the best
creative work
Barcelona Chair
Mies Van Der Rohe
Creating Successfully
Ranch House
Floor Plan
Steven Johnson,
via Louis Pasteur
Restriction promotes innovation “Chance favors the connected mind”
Nilsson - SXSWedu 2012 - Creativity in the Classroom
Saturday, March 17, 12

18. Assessing Creativity?
(not the bugaboo we think it is)
If our purpose is clear,
and our guidelines narrow,
then we have a definitive rubric
for evaluating creative work.
Nilsson - SXSWedu 2012 - Creativity in the Classroom
Saturday, March 17, 12

19. A short argument
Definitions, distinctions
Two new theories
Theory in practice
Closing thoughts
Nilsson - SXSWedu 2012 - Creativity in the Classroom
Saturday, March 17, 12

20. Thank you!
Peter Nilsson
pbnilsson@gmail.com
@pnilsson
Saturday, March 17, 12