Email Leslie Back to Homepage Copyright and Usage A little Inspiration About Leslie Professional  Links Best Picks - Books, etc. Wm. Blake   Levels of Creativity   Creativity Index   Curriculum Index   Sample Lesson Plans   Models of Teaching   Reflective Teacher Index   Newer Views in Learning   Graduate Exam Questions   "If you want to be creative, stay in part a child, with the creativity and invention that characterizes children before they are deformed by adult society."                                                                            Jean Piaget   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 Caring for the inner muse  - A separate series of pages devoted to techniques, suggestions, and thoughts for maintaining creative inspiration. Just for Fun Brain Test Unique personality test Color Test   Graduate Exam Questions �Leslie Owen Wilson 2004,  restrictions on usage Levels of creativity The first three levels of creativity can be attained by anyone who is motivated and who has persistence enough to see projects and ideas through. The last two levels may be unattainable to all but those who are highly gifted creatively, or those who are naturally creative geniuses. 1. Primitive and intuitive expression: This  first level of creativity incorporates the primitive and intuitive expression found in children and in adults who have not been trained in art. There is an innocent quality to primitive art, but also directness and sensitivity. The naive artist creates for the joy of expression. 2. Academic and technical level: The second level of creativity is the academic and technical level. At this level the artist learns skills and techniques, developing a proficiency that allows creative expression in myriad ways. The academic artist adds power to expression through the mastery of craft. 3. Inventive level: Many artists experiment with their craft, exploring different ways of using familiar tools and mediums. This heralds the level of invention. Breaking rules is the order of the day, challenging the boundaries of academic tradition, becoming increasingly adventurous and experimental. Inventors use academic tradition and skills as a stepping-stone into new frontiers. 4. Innovative level: At the level of innovation the artist, writer, musician, inventor, thinker is more original. Materials and methods that are out of the ordinary are introduced. Now the creator breaks the boundaries. The academic or inspirational foundation remains as a substructure of unconscious thought guiding these creative efforts. 5. Genius level: The fifth level of creativity is characterized as genius. There are individuals whose ideas and accomplishments in art and science defy explanation. Genius is arguably the one level that is unexplainable and perhaps unattainable for most of us, something that an individual is born with. Adopted from: A. Taylor, (1959) "The nature of creative process." (In P. Smith, ed. Creativity) Hastings House. New York.

est.1997, updated 2005