Along the way, kids demonstrated the very definition of creativity: alternating between divergent and convergent thinking, they arrived at original and useful ideas. And they’d unwittingly mastered Ohio’s required fifth-grade curriculum—from understanding sound waves to per-unit cost calculations to the art of persuasive writing.The Creativity Crisis - Newsweek piece on the downward trend in the scores on the (E. Paul) Torrance test used to measure creativity
So what is the best way for kids to stay kids - in terms of asking questions, finding (their own) answers and running with it?
Do we need school programs that use the mechanics and tools, frameworks for creativity and learning in teams? Or does the problem arise as much in the years leading up to it? Kinder garden or playtime at home - is it the "old" tv and games are bad argument with a twist?
And if so, can we expect to see a break from the trend (since the 90-ies, downward) now with the digital world rapidly expanding both the access to information and opportunities for expression? Are we heading into the shallows
or expending our surplus
of generosity? (Amazon links)On a small aside - I find it rather annoying that Clay Shirkys book is not available on the Kindle in Europe - the Penguin site has a digital version for £20, while the US hardcover is retailing at $17 and the previous book in paperback is at $10 - guess I'll stick with the Shallows for now thank you very much
