Creativity is more than an artistic ability; it involves thinking differently, collaborating, developing solutions, and communicating in a way that connects with others. Taking advantage of creativity in the classroom helps students develop deeper understanding and make cross-curricular connections. Creativity is also a Valuable skill for the workforce through many fields. EdSurge podcast host Carl Hooker recently discussed with field experts how educators can foster creativity for college and career readiness.
How important is creativity when it comes to college and career paths?
Whether high school graduates are transitioning to college or a career, there’s a good chance they’ll put their creative abilities to good use. Tacy Trowbridge, global education advocacy and thought leadership leader at Adobe, points to an analysis of 2 million resumes and 2 million job postings that revealed that employers are widely seeking creative skills. In fact, says Trowbridge, “98 percent of college placement officers think creative skills are essential for college and career success.”
Donna Caldwell, a senior solutions consultant at Adobe Education, says this is partly due to the demand for innovation. “Employers don’t know what tomorrow will be like. But what they do know is that they need collaborators, storytellers and people with new ideas. And creativity is at the center of all of that.”
How can educators develop creativity in today’s students?
Are today’s students really that different from those of previous generations? Investigation indicates that Gen Z students are tech-savvy and appreciate interdisciplinary, project-based learning experiences. Katie Fielding, educational technology coordinator at Arlington Public Schools in Virginia, sees that today’s students are heavily inclined toward video and collaboration for deeper understanding, suggesting that Gen Z learns best by working with others. .
Trowbridge adds that while 65 percent of students cite making and creating as the most effective methods of learning, they often do not have such opportunities in the classroom. So how can we adjust learning experiences to further cultivate creation?
For Caldwell, one strategy is appreciating that students offer diverse backgrounds and talents. She supports students in exploring their gifts and interests through projects and encourages educators to start by replacing a traditional task with an opportunity to create. This can spark creative confidence in students, where they go from passive consumers to successful creators. And the results are impressive: integrating creativity leads to better student outcomes.
What tools or resources can teachers use to help foster creativity in the classroom?
For educators who aren’t sure how to incorporate more creative outlets into their lessons, Trowbridge suggests finding a community, like ISTE Connection either Adobe Education Exchange, where professionals share ideas and resources. After all, it’s important for educators to nurture their own creativity and keep learning.
Some educators can feel overwhelmed by adding projects to their already busy curriculum, but Caldwell and Fielding offer two strategies that can greatly reduce stress and time: using rubrics for assessment and incorporating peer reviews. The rubrics help to bring a more concrete evaluation to creativity., a skill that many consider difficult to score. AND studies show that peer reviews build community among students and help them develop critical thinking and communication skills.
Fielding encourages teachers to immerse themselves in Universal Design for Learning (UDL), a research-based framework that embraces creative solutions while removing barriers to learning. It teaches students to be more inclusive by making their creations accessible to people with different abilities.
Trowbridge adds that opportunities to enhance creativity are not inherently accessible or equitable, leading to what might be considered a “creativity gap.” But educators have the opportunity to blaze trails through collaborative projects that encourage innovation and creative thinking.
Watch the full on-demand webinar “Impact of Creativity on College and Career Readiness” now.
How does creativity help students’ mental health and well-being?
“Creativity can give students an outlet to process some of the emotions they feel by giving them opportunities to explore and build their personal identities,” says Fielding. As students mature and their digital worlds grow, she encourages them to move from a digital citizenship approach to digital wellbeing. Caldwell agrees, noting that today’s students can be overwhelmed by digital influences that make them feel less valuable. But giving students a stage to have a voice, tell their stories and express their emotions can have a fundamental impact on how they feel about themselves; it can keep them involved and engaged in their education.
Creativity, in turn, can lead to optimism. “Creative and authentic problem solving opens students’ minds, gives them agency, and empowers them with meaningful skills,” says Trowbridge. It gives them a stronger self-identity and a voice to face challenges.
Not all students go to college. How can infusing creativity into the K-12 environment help them when they leave our institution?
The key to preparing students for the workforce is integrate real world experiences involving learning in the workplace into the classroom. Caldwell suggests that educators need to make connections with the community so that students recognize the true value of the skills they are learning. And one viable option is through career and technical education (CTE) programs.
Trowbridge agrees that CTE programs provide students with a solid path to careers that are in-demand, and creativity is an important skill. Jobs in the creative economy can bring higher wages and faster advancement, according to a Adobe-LinkedIn Studio. Creativity has a wide reach throughout the workforce. Students are already using creative thinking and problem solving to be successful in class. Trowbridge encourages educators to take those implicit skills and make them explicit. For example, students can create a portfolio of their work and emphasize what they have learned through collaboration and creativity.
What creative skills are employers looking for?
Today’s careers require creativity. For some careers, creativity is expressed through storytelling. Caldwell connects creativity with presenting an idea or telling a story to stimulate action. Employers who foster a culture of innovation provide their employees with increased job satisfaction and lead to better performance in the workplace.
Fielding adds that creativity builds the advocacy skills employers wantsuch as communication, collaboration and critical thinking. Trowbridge outlines what employers look for as a cross-section of creative skills: creative communication, creative problem solving, and creative thinking.
