Mathematics and Creativity both include complex processes sharing elements, such as fluency, flexibility, novelty and elaboration (Ayllon et al., 2016). Math and Creativity are often not thought of together.
Mark Lonergan (2007) states that students need to feel creative opportunity to feel engaged.
Mark Lonergan (2007) states that students need to feel creative opportunity to feel engaged.
Brain Hemisphere Theory
This theory states that people are either left-brained or right-brained based upon the fact that the brain's two hemispheres function differently from one another. The left brain hemisphere leads to convergent thinking while the right brain hemisphere leads to divergent thinking.
Creative thinking is a mental process using both convergent and divergent thinking. Convergent thinking emphasizes the most appropriate single response. Divergent thinking is a spread thinking process. |
Brain Networks
While different parts of our brains have different functions, the connections between these areas creates cognition.
Neuroscientists have identified three important brain networks for creativity (Morr, 2019).
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As Morr (2019) says "Creativity is a skill that allows you to draw understanding of the world around you, connect those observations to your existing knowledge reservoirs, and imagine new applications of your knowledge on the world."
What is creativity?
Creativity is defined as the use of imagination or original ideas (Google, 2021). Sitorus et al. (2016) describe creativity as "the act of conscious and unconscious thinking process that underlies scientific discovery, artistic originality, and inspiration."
Creativity has four standard indicators (Sitorus et al, 2016)
When students are given a problem to solve that is not straight forward and poses a challenge, they are encouraged to develop both their creativity and math skills.
Creativity has four standard indicators (Sitorus et al, 2016)
- fluency
- originality
- flexibility
- elaboration
When students are given a problem to solve that is not straight forward and poses a challenge, they are encouraged to develop both their creativity and math skills.
How to support students' creativity
To support students creativity in the classroom, positive relationships must be built, students need encouragement from their social environment to be able to realize their creative potential (Sitorus & Masrayti, 2016). Students need to be provided with opportunities that encourage them to think creatively. as Bahar & Maker, 2011) say, "mathematical creativity usually has been viewed as solving a problem by choosing an original and insightful method regardless of usefulness of the product" (p. 34). In general, mathematical creativity is the students' ability to use a variety of solutions to solve problems.
Koestler (1964) says that when a person solves a problem it contributes to their creative spark (Ayllon et al., 2016).
The Four C's (Lonergan, 2007).
These four considerations for projects help students apply math skills in meaningful ways.
Reflection
Allowing students time to reflect on their creative thinking both individually and in group settings will help to build the students' understanding of creative thinking and encourage them to hear new ideas and thoughts. When the students engage in conversations about strategies and ideas, they are expanding their thoughts and creating more strategies and solutions for them to think about in the future. When students are encouraged to reflect on their creative thinking it has the potential to encourage further creative thinking.
Koestler (1964) says that when a person solves a problem it contributes to their creative spark (Ayllon et al., 2016).
The Four C's (Lonergan, 2007).
These four considerations for projects help students apply math skills in meaningful ways.
- Content - rich math content at the core of the project
- Connection - authentic connection to the real world
- Choices - allow students to make choices and solve questions in different ways
- Co-Authorship - students have a roll in creating problems and finding solutions
Reflection
Allowing students time to reflect on their creative thinking both individually and in group settings will help to build the students' understanding of creative thinking and encourage them to hear new ideas and thoughts. When the students engage in conversations about strategies and ideas, they are expanding their thoughts and creating more strategies and solutions for them to think about in the future. When students are encouraged to reflect on their creative thinking it has the potential to encourage further creative thinking.
In the video above, Roberta Ness explains cognitive frames and how creativity can be explored and used.
References
Ayllon, M., Gomez, I.A., Ballesta-Claver, J. (2016). Mathematical thinking and creativity through mathematical problem posing and solving. Propositos y Representations. 4(1). 169-218.http://dx.doi.org/10.20511/pyr2016.v4n1.89.
Bahar, A.K., Maker, C.J. (2011). Exploring the Relationship between Mathematical Creativity and Mathematical Achievement. Asia-Pacific Journal of Gifted and Talented Education 3(1). 33-48.
Lonergan, M. (2007). The Case for Creativity in Math Education. Horace Spring 23(2)
Morr, K. (2019). What is creativity? The ultimate guide to understanding today's most important ability. 99designs. https://99designs.ca/blog/creative-thinking/what-is-creativity/
Pietrangelo, A. (March 7, 2019). Left Brain vs. Right Brain: What Does This Mean for Me? HealthLine. https://www.healthline.com/health/left-brain-vs-right-brain
Sitorus, J., Masrayati. (2016). Students' creative thinking process stages: Implementation of realistic mathematics education. Thinking Skills and Creativity 22, 111-120. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2016.09.007
Unknown. (2021). Creativity. Google Dictionary Search.
UTHealth School of Public Health. (September 24, 2015). Learn Innovation Generation [video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8D66A0d4fB0
Images
Pixaby. (unknown). [Image]. Pexels. https://www.pexels.com/photo/pile-of-covered-books-159751/
FreePik. (unknown). The human brain on a blue background, the hemisphere is responsible for logic [image]. https://www.freepik.com/premium-photo/human-brain-blue-background-hemisphere-is-responsible-logic_4675233.htm#page=1&query=brain&position=9
Neuroscience News. (July 8, 2019). Structure of brain networks is not fixed [image]. https://neurosciencenews.com/brain-network-structure-14435/
Ayllon, M., Gomez, I.A., Ballesta-Claver, J. (2016). Mathematical thinking and creativity through mathematical problem posing and solving. Propositos y Representations. 4(1). 169-218.http://dx.doi.org/10.20511/pyr2016.v4n1.89.
Bahar, A.K., Maker, C.J. (2011). Exploring the Relationship between Mathematical Creativity and Mathematical Achievement. Asia-Pacific Journal of Gifted and Talented Education 3(1). 33-48.
Lonergan, M. (2007). The Case for Creativity in Math Education. Horace Spring 23(2)
Morr, K. (2019). What is creativity? The ultimate guide to understanding today's most important ability. 99designs. https://99designs.ca/blog/creative-thinking/what-is-creativity/
Pietrangelo, A. (March 7, 2019). Left Brain vs. Right Brain: What Does This Mean for Me? HealthLine. https://www.healthline.com/health/left-brain-vs-right-brain
Sitorus, J., Masrayati. (2016). Students' creative thinking process stages: Implementation of realistic mathematics education. Thinking Skills and Creativity 22, 111-120. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2016.09.007
Unknown. (2021). Creativity. Google Dictionary Search.
UTHealth School of Public Health. (September 24, 2015). Learn Innovation Generation [video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8D66A0d4fB0
Images
Pixaby. (unknown). [Image]. Pexels. https://www.pexels.com/photo/pile-of-covered-books-159751/
FreePik. (unknown). The human brain on a blue background, the hemisphere is responsible for logic [image]. https://www.freepik.com/premium-photo/human-brain-blue-background-hemisphere-is-responsible-logic_4675233.htm#page=1&query=brain&position=9
Neuroscience News. (July 8, 2019). Structure of brain networks is not fixed [image]. https://neurosciencenews.com/brain-network-structure-14435/