A Catalyst for New Thinking: The Concert of Ideas
Thinking of Things as if They Could be Otherwise When my colleagues and I work with university faculty, business leaders, and other professionals, our goal is to help people think in new ways. Typically, they have a problem to solve or some big new idea to wrap their minds around, or maybe they’re confronting change […]
The Real Reason You Should Invest in Your Creativity
Your Investment in Creative Thinking Have you ever invested in a creative thinking course? What was your primary reason for investing in this course? When I started to invest in creativity, my motivation originated from my wish to improve my mental well-being. Although I felt that creativity was what I needed, I did not, at […]
Cultivating an Environment for Well-Being in Schools
Staff well-being and creativity require structural and cultural change When I hear concerns about teacher well-being, I am often frustrated by the short-term tokenistic measures that are suggested. I have nothing against buying cakes for the staffroom, but no amount of cakes will make a difference if my daily work is distrusted and undervalued. The […]
Creativity and the Well-Being of Educators
As we approach the tail end of the winter months, cooped up in our houses, and feeling a general sense of isolation and fatigue, our resourcefulness to maintain our well-being is key. Right now, there is really nothing more important than care for our well-being and the well-being of others, because, of course, the two […]
Go Big or Go Home:
Encouraging Risk-Taking in the Classroom
Why go big? Go big or go home is a phrase we frequently use to encourage someone to take a risk. Why is going big so important? Because the “big” is where great things happen. There are many similar sayings out there, such as “no one ever achieved greatness by playing it safe” or “great […]
Highlight the Essence: My Quest for Bringing Creativity into my ELA Lessons
January ushers in a much anticipated New Year —a chance to look back and look forward during a dizzying time for all. While there were unspeakable challenges in 2020, there have also been opportunities for creativity, collaboration, and growth. Back in March, when the pandemic hit, I realized that my elementary and middle school students […]
The Most Important Thing to Put in Your School Backpack: A Letter to High Schoolers
Dear High Schooler, A new school year is starting. I know this is a weird one. You’ve probably already gathered the materials you will need this year in your backpack, or in your designated learning space if you’re doing virtual learning. But there’s one more important thing you’ll need, this year more than any other, […]
No Punishment
Part three of our Creative Parenting Series. Read the full series – links within article.
Collaborative Parenting
This blog is part two of our Creative Parenting Series. To read part one, click this link: Show, Don’t Tell. Ismet: When I was 10 years old, I started writing about parenting. I felt that there was plenty of room for improvement in how I was being raised. I wanted to make sure that when I […]
Engage your Students in Virtual Visual Arts: 13 Tips for Teachers
Some takeaways with action items that we can use to improve our instructional practices for our students. 13 tips that have worked for me in virtual teaching.
Distant But Together: A Student Perspective of Virtual Learning
Create in a Flash
Are you looking for a complete curriculum that will help you teach a creative problem solving course? Then you need Create in a Flash! A Leader’s Recipe for Breakthrough Innovation. I’m Dr. Roger Firestien, and I’ve spent the last 42 years teaching, researching, and consulting in the field of Creative Problem-Solving (CPS). I have written […]