Teaching for creativity: How to shape creative attitudes in teachers and in students

Abstract

Jeffrey and Craft (2004) propose the distinction between teaching creatively and teaching for creativity. The former refers to applying imaginative approaches to “make learning more interesting and effective” (p. 1), whereas the latter focuses on teaching attitudes towards creativity, and teaching how to develop students’ own creative thinking and behavior. Although teaching creatively has its undeniable value, we believe that in terms of the long lasting effects, the focus in education should be on teaching for creativity. The following chapter addresses the role of developing creative attitudes in education for creativity, with the emphasis on two interesting examples of programs for teaching creativity: one is directed to students and the other—to teachers. Both programs stem from a long traditionin Polish pedagogy to nurture creativity in students, and making it one of the major goals of education.