Promoting Creativity, Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving in the classroom

In our pursue of preparing students for real world careers and challenges and equipping them with 21st-century skills, we often forget that as educators, we have a duty to dream and create spaces where everyone has the opportunity to be creative and bring out the best in themselves.

The new edition of the course “Creativity for the future: promoting Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving in the classroom​” took place in Tenerife from 10/11/2024 to 16/11/2024. The participants came from all across Europe, with Patricija Munda and Majda Sitar from Prva gimnazija Maribor in Slovenia, Jacquelina Jansson from Lentiz Revius in Netherlands,Mária Čamborová from Gymnázium VPT Martin in Slovakia.

In exploring the key competencies essential for thriving in the 21st century, participants engaged in a deep dive into learning and innovation skills, digital literacy, and essential career and life skills. Central to our discussions were the 4Cs: critical thinking, creativity, communication, and collaboration. Through hands-on experiences, we discovered how our cognitive processes shift when faced with problem-solving scenarios. Participants tackled a range of challenges designed to illuminate common barriers to innovative thinking and how specific strategies can help overcome them. Using the 6 Thinking Hats method, attendees practiced “lateral thinking” and brainstormed concrete applications relevant to their teaching content.

The versatility of this approach became evident as it can enhance learning across various subjects, from science to language arts, and serve as a formative assessment tool that encourages students to think beyond conventional boundaries. We then transitioned to visual strategies, where participants engaged in activities aimed at fostering students’ creative expression. By broadening the traditional view of “visual thinking,” we introduced innovative digital perspectives that can enrich classroom discussions and brainstorming sessions. Recognizing the necessity of cultivating critical thinking skills in an era saturated with (dis)information, participants took part in reasoning, questioning, and debating exercises. These activities can be tailored to various classroom settings, empowering students to become proactive, discerning learners. To inject creativity and critical thinking into their classrooms, we emphasized the importance of reimagining traditional tools rather than solely seeking new solutions.

Participants relished the opportunity to adapt classic games like Taboo and Battleship to their specific subjects, enriching their educational approaches while reinforcing collaborative learning. As the course came to a close, each participant crafted a personalized display reflecting their training and cultural experiences in Bologna. From a lively fashion show to a spirited snowball fight, we celebrated a week filled with laughter, creativity, and transformative experiences!

Discover more about this course here.