Reflection 5: Creative Process

Theory: Creative Process

What is the Theory?

            The creative process is outlined in the Arts curriculum as a multi step process designed to get students to consider and experiment with new ideas. The process is complex because it encourages them to think critically and plan things out in addition to evaluating their own work. These are steps associated with the critical analysis process but both theories are interwoven. In addition to the critical component the creative process also gets students involved in higher level thinking such as imagination and experimentation. The creative process is essential to the Arts because without it students would not develop a passion to be creative and to have fun in exploring their creative side. It is the passion to be creative where student’s untapped potential can begin to shine.

The Creative Process

What is the Value of this Theory?

            This strategy has a lot of personal value to me because I ride myself on being someone who values the creative side of the brain and getting to have fun and experiment with different art forms. I love getting to draw and I also love rhyming and puns. My mom was a great artist and I like to think I inherited a little bit of her artistic talent. I have always been good at coming up with rhymes and I have said many during presentations and just as a joke when talking with friends. I believe that all students possess creative gifts and that is the job of an educator to provide students with opportunities to allow those creative gifts to shine through. This strategy has professional value for me because by incorporating this process into my classroom I can allow students to step outside their limitations and really experiment and push themselves as both learners and artists.

Why is this Strategy Important for Teaching Drama?

            This theory is important for teaching drama because without the creative process then drama loses its meaning within schools. Drama is the one subject that can allow students the freedom of movement and expression that they are not necessarily given in other courses. Although schools are increasingly evolving based on educational theories there is still much of a school day dominated by students sitting at a desk and listening to a teacher talk. This is a necessary process but it is also one that serves to demotivate students from wanting to participate and enjoy school. By getting students to engage in the creative process it will allow their learning to feel unique and to be personalized based on their own talents and ideas. It will also serve to develop those important critical thinking skills we often don’t associate with the Arts.