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Show , Spring 2004 page 25 Creativity fosters a different environment of each individual student. It is something that can be learned through the fostering of innovation in the classroom by the instructor. A structured syllabus is typically a large part of any course, but the syllabus doesn't need or have to limit the instructor's ability to be innovative and creative. LaDon Roeder, a doctoral student in the department of educational leadership and policy believes "it truly does take a well thought out syllabus of assignments, class material, and delivery methods in order to allow for creativity." However, "part of creativity is being able to let the class "Amateurs" Paul Landacre (1937). Courtesy Mary Francey at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts go in another direction and reach the same outcome," said innovative. Roeder. A lot of creativity in the classroom tends to be situation dependent. Roeder said that group projects are an example of a specific structure. "With group projects, it's difficult to let the students know they can take risks. Additionally, class size plays a part in the comfort and creativity level within groups and class members." Roeder is convinced that the instructor has the most potential to foster creativity in the classroom. "There is an aura around creativity." Matthew Burgemeister, senior studying economics said, "for me the classes that I've learned the most from are the ones I'm most interested in and most excited about, which means they are entertaining and keep my focus." Burgemeister remembers that all of the professors used a variety of teaching styles. "People learn in different ways, so the more ways a professor can increase classroom creativity, the more students they reach, and the more [students] think about the subject," said Burgemeister. However, sometimes creativity is limited by university structure. As a student, Burgemeister believes that time limits the level of creativity in the classroom. Even still, creativity is forever able to impact the level of learned material in the classroom environment. Burgemeister says, "people are never taught how to be creative. I don't even think that the classes we have to teach students how to think critically teach students to think critically. Creativity and critical thinking should start at the 1000 level, but most teachers don't foster that - they just want to teach what they want you to know." Sadly enough, Burgemeister, like other students, believes that one can get though college without being creative at all. "You can pass your classes and graduate without any creativity or critical thought." However he does think that to have the best education, a student needs to see the creative side of things. Getting the most out of the college education students work so hard for is typically more rewarding when it is enjoyable and Each department at the University has its own way of being creative in the classroom. The College of Science has a more difficult time when allowing for creativity in the classroom because so many aspects are black and white. Even still, creativity is important. Trisha Jorgensen, pre-med student, said "even though it's the science department, professors need to be creative in their teaching styles if they want their students to be creative in their work that they do in the classroom." Jorgensen believes that the structure of the University allows for creativity in any department. "I think it's more challenging for professors in certain fields such as science and math, but if they take the initiative they can be creative." Overall, creativity is still important, no matter what the class is. "I think that the more creative the learning process the more you will learn. If you use a creative learning style, you're going to remember it so much easier than just reading your textbook." Jorgensen believes that "challenge" is an essential element of creativity. Of students, she said, "challenging them to step outside their normal boundaries will allow then to be creative. But you can't challenge them so much that they give up." Joel Arvizo, health promotion and education major agrees with Jorgensen: creativity is a significant part of a student's education. "I think it's essential, just because even for students whose majors are more analytical and quantitative, it allows them to connect their course work to real life, because life in essence is all about creativity," said Arvizo. Creativity in the classroom is a substantial part of a college education. Most students and instructors will agree that creativity is important, but the challenge is to break down the barriers of organizational structure. Maybe Prather's study will help university students and instructors have more insight on the elements of incorporating and improving creativity in the classroom. |