My response tote Art of Genius,Eight ways to think like Einstein by Michael Michalko

Michael Michalko presented eight thinking strategies that enable geniuses to generate original thought. It was interesting to know that many geniuses were simply playing with ideas most often not knowing where those thoughts would finally lead them. Michalko called them productive thinkers because they were able to explore many alternatives,not just the most likely solutions. These solutions just led to new problems or questions. For example the Nobel Prize physicist, Richard Feynman played with ideas that pleased only himself. His play just happened to lead him to his work in electrodynamics. How do we as educators get past looking at problems in only one way? Michalko called it reproductive thinking when we use only ones past experiences to solve problems. He states that If you think the way youve always thought, youll get what youve always gotten. I feel that it is important for teachers to realize that children do not always think the same way. And if we present only one way to find solutions to problems, we may not be encouraging creative thinkers in our classrooms. Luckily the new hands on math and science curriculums and cooperative learning activities do give us opportunities to engage children in some creative thinking. But I feel it takes practice and training on the students part to learn that its ok to think differently than those around them and teachers must also learn that its ok to allow students to solve problems in their own way. One of the best things that Ive found is the Plus Center at St. Scholastica. It offers excellent programs in math and science for teachers, parents and children. Their programs gave me practice in fun creative problem solving activities. Programs like St. Scholasticas enforce what this article was talking about. I think teachers should allow children to think freely and I see the value of using these methods in my own classroom.

-- Anonymous, December 30, 1998

Answers

Response to UTNE READER-Artof Genius

Linda, I have often seem the Plus programs at St. Scholastica but have never attended one. Sounds like it's an excellent program. I do think that as educators we are always trying to find ways for all children to express themselves and to find answers. However I also know that being limited in time and demands from the children, parents, district, state and media also limits the time we can provide children to explore their world. I know that there have been children in my room that have had a different way of looking at things and I've often wondered if they will be allowed to explore their world or will they be processed through our system and stymied.

-- Anonymous, January 27, 1999