Welcome to my collection of pages on varied aspects related to creativity and creative processes. I use many of the following ideas and concepts in my course on creativity - The creative teacher - ED 784 (formerly ED 794). Many of the pages are a synthesis of other authors' concepts and work, some are original materials, and others are interpretations of material I've collected over the years and are of unknown origins. I apologize in advance for the omission of any sources. If a concept appears with a citation of an unknown source and you know from whence it came, please contact me so that I can offer the appropriate citation.

One of the first things I try to emphasize about creativity is that it is a messy process, one that is also highly personal. The second thing that I try to emphasize is that there are no tried and true cookbook approaches to becoming creative, or to helping others discover their creativity. Developing creativity, at any level, is a series of personal evolutionary steps, trial and error procedures, and again, a process of sorting out messes. This is often intensely personal work. Thus, finding one's creative sense, or spirit, is rather like a journey into the unknown -- there are many wonderful guide books, compasses, and willing gurus, but the ultimate destination is always elusive, enigmatic, often one of changing panoramas and uncharted destinations.

From these perspectives the primary directions of my course have to do with exposure, immersion, exercises in changing perspectives, and offering students opportunities for self-discovery and self-definition. I do not believe that educators can effectively foster or even understand aspects of the creative process, or for that matter highly creative people, unless they have been immersed and consumed by the act of creating something at a personal level. 

Please feel free to browse the following pages, glean ideas, thoughts, even inspiration. Hopefully you will find something useful or thought provoking. Some of the pages are interactive exercises, asking users to internalize thoughts or provide answers. Enjoy.

"A hunch is creativity trying to tell you something."

Frank Capra (film director)

 Topics in creativity:

• On defining creativity

• Books on creativity

• Links in Creativity

• Levels of creativity

• Characteristics of highly creative individuals

• David Perkins' Snowflake Model of Creativity

• Traits and states: Selection criteria for selecting highly creative students

• Thinking patterns that help create new ideas

• On the importance of persistence and reflectivity in fostering creativity

• On killing creativity in children

• Sacred rules of creativity 

• Divergent Thinking Abilities

• Brainstorming techniques

• Blockages to creativity thinking, and living

• The flow or white moment experience

• A schema of the flow state

• Bringing creativity to the workplace -- How to make it work.

• A little inspiration -What things inspire creativity?

• Learn to celebrate: Yourself, others and life

• In the words of others - Notable thoughts related to creativity

TED - Technology, Entertainment, Design - Started out as a conference in 1984 and brings together a phenomenal group of original thinkers from all over the world to share new ideas, concerns, as well as innovations. Site includes many wonderful speeches by attendees. Listen to TEDTalks