Art and research – 7th International Conference on Arts and Humanities (ICOAH) 2020
https://fineartsconference.com/
3rd International Conference on Future of Education 2020 – (FutureEdu 2020)
Abstract— The constructs of imagination and creativity in
pedagogical studies have been understood as an attitude, as a
capability or as a process. I briefly analyze the aspects involved in
creative thinking, also linked to social-emotional skills. As a teacher
of visual arts, I notice that the intellectual curiosity and the emotional
climate in my classroom can enhance or inhibit imagination. The
teacher has the opportunity to act indirectly on creativity of learners,
by encouraging their freedom in self expression, personal initiative,
by adopting himself unconventional attitudes and methodologies.
Imagination helps to take different points of view to help pupils move
from “thinking to doing” . The lateral thinking (De Bono, 1994)
requires the flexibility and the deviation in teaching practice and
also the freedom to go “against the rules”. In this way, a creative
teacher can enhance the development of imagination in learners.
Despite the different theories which tie creativity to intelligence, the
promotion of imagination as Life Skills permeates the contemporary
educational discussion supporting the creative process not only as
cognitive ability but also as a fundamental resource for the well-being
and problem solving. The reflection on emotional skills and
imagination highlights my outcomes with teen-ager students. In
addition, my purpose is also to underline that he teacher has the
fundamental role of model and motivator who supports the
strengths of all students and how it is possible to overcome the
stereotype that imagination in students affected by learning disorders
is limited, promoting instead their ability. Finally, emerges that
teaching arts means floating on several levels, giving the students
the opportunity to follow their curiosity, gathering their intuitions,
especially the divergent ones.
Keywords— Arts education, creativity, Divergent thinking,
social-emotional skills
