What is creativity in the classroom?

Introduction

Between April and November 2022, Claire Steele and Sarah Smith from eltonix will be running a series of six webinars looking at different aspects of creativity in the language classroom. Alongside our regular webinar schedule, Claire and Sarah will give a monthly 60-minute online workshop on a range of related themes, including:

1. What is creativity in the classroom? Watch a recording of this webinar below
2. Task design promoting creative thinking skills - part 1. Watch a recording of this webinar
3. Task design promoting creative thinking skills - part 2. Watch a recording of this webinar
4. Creative feedback. Watch a recording of this webinar
5. Creative ideas for your continuing professional development. Watch a recording of this webinar
6. Being creative with low resources. Watch a recording of this webinar

About this webinar

What comes to mind when you think of creativity? Complete freedom to express yourself in any way you want? An exceptionally talented musician, an artist, or an architect? While these people are extremely creative and may have an artistic flair, this is a limited view of creativity, and we need to think beyond this when fostering creativity in the classroom.

Creativity is being able to imagine other possibilities, to be open-minded and flexible to adapt to changing circumstances.  It is the ability to use imagination, to wonder, and to solve problems.

Every human being has the ability to be creative, and every teacher has the chance to nurture creativity in the language classroom. 

In our first webinar in this series Creativity, session participants will be able to explore what a creative classroom looks like by:

• taking a closer look at creativity (what it is and what it isn’t)
• exploring some ideas and techniques on how to make the most of opportunities in class to allow our students to engage in creative thought
• reflecting on our current classroom practice and how we can foster more creativity. 

Recorded on 28 April 2022

About the speakers

Claire Steele

I’m Claire and I have worked in EFL/ESL as a teacher, trainer, manager and consultant worldwide, but mainly in the UK, Australia, Colombia and Greece. I have always been interested in inspiring students and teachers, so teacher development has always been my area of interest and career path. I’ve been very privileged to have worked with teachers all over the world in their contexts. I’m interested in student-centred learning, fostering creativity and critical-thinking in the classroom, reflective practice, and adapting materials to create a more dynamic and engaging learning experience. I also actively support inclusive classroom practices for all English teachers and students. I am co-founder and director of eltonix (www.eltonix.com)

Sarah Smith

I’m Sarah and I have worked as an EFL/ESL teacher in Senegal, Japan, Ecuador and Turkey. I was a teacher and mentor in Thailand and France and am now based in Greece where I initially worked as an academic manager and a teacher trainer. My areas of interest are teacher training and development, reflective practice, student-centred learning, holistic child development, incorporating life skills in the classroom and encouraging a sense of progress through learning to learn techniques. I am also an advocate for inclusive classroom practices which provide a safe learning environment for all teachers and students. I am co-founder and director of eltonix (www.eltonix.com)