Global #gtchat Powered by TAGT is a weekly chat on Twitter that takes place on Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT and 5 p.m. PT in the U.S. For one hour, parents, educators, advocates and experts in the field of gifted and talented gather to share resources, links, authentic life experiences and insights about gifted issues.
I am Kelly from WA. I am a teacher, blogger, mother to a 2eDS, and author of @GiftedHF newest book Boost: 12 Effective Ways to Lift Up Our Twice-Exceptional Children #gtchat
Are you new to Twitter chats? We use the Q1) / A1) format for #gtchat and remember to use the #gtchat hashtag to participate in the conversation. This will make sure that other chat participants see your tweets.
Our first question is coming up; let’s get ready to chat! Please preface your responses with A1) Excited to share ideas with you today about how we view constraints/limitations when approaching the creative process! #gtchat
A1 How Constraints Force Us to be More Creative https://t.co/eorAp53M1N Domain constraint. Variability constraint. Early task constraints. Goals of the creator. #gtchat
A1 How Constraints Force Us to be More Creative https://t.co/eorAp53M1N Domain constraint. Variability constraint. Early task constraints. Goals of the creator. #gtchat
A1) Creativity isn't measurable; typical measures of achievement do not account for it. We value certain academic areas (STEM, etc.) without understanding the role of creativity underlying all of them. #gtchat
A1) I am thinking about classroom projects where I have limited students to using only certain materials while still allowing for choice in subject matter #gtchat
A1) Less obvious constraints can include the accessibility to comprehension of suitable outcomes, talent and the intellect necessary for task completion. #gtchat
A1) Some constraints are time, materials/money, project restrictions, feasibility, support from others, working individually/with others, past creative opportunities and confidence to think outside the box #gtchat
A2) No matter the project, a change in your perspective will enhance creativity. Daily routines though comforting, don’t provide stimulation or novel thinking. Changing things up can give you that creative spark you seek. #gtchat
A2) One benefit of changing daily work habits/mindset is that it keeps us on our toes - we don't fall into a thoughtless pattern of repetition. This in turn, helps us experience more things which expands our mindset #gtchat
I think standardized testing has also played a role in this - kids no longer think about all the possible answers/resolutions to a situation - they only want to consider the one that is "right" #gtchat
A2) One benefit of changing daily work habits/mindset is that it keeps us on our toes - we don't fall into a thoughtless pattern of repetition. This in turn, helps us experience more things which expands our mindset #gtchat
A2) Changes in when you wake up, the route you take to work, work location, how you approach colleagues; increasing novel experiences can increase creativity simply by rethinking your restrictions/limitations/interactions/your comfort zone. #gtchat
A3) Constraints force us to think about what we can't do/use in a situation, which then turns into deeper thought process about alternatives that could meet the same goal - it encourages thinking outside the box when solving a problem #gtchat
A3) Constraints exist in virtually all real-life problems that need solving. Overcoming constraints requires creative solutions. Without time constraints, there would be little incentive to find a solution that would be worthwhile to benefactors. #gtchat
A3) Constraints force us to think about what we can't do/use in a situation, which then turns into deeper thought process about alternatives that could meet the same goal - it encourages thinking outside the box when solving a problem #gtchat
I completely agree - think about all the inventions we have because someone was trying to create something different and failed - even unfavorable results for task at hand may have benefits #gtchat
A3) Our brains are constantly in efficient mode, constraints force us to think. They can inspire us to use our minds to be more resourceful; responding to challenge. This is a major reason we want our children to face challenge early on in school. #gtchat
A2) I'm glad you mentioned novel experiences. They're easy to overlook, but add so much to our development. Students become comfortable with creativity. #gtchat
A2) Changes in when you wake up, the route you take to work, work location, how you approach colleagues; increasing novel experiences can increase creativity simply by rethinking your restrictions/limitations/interactions/your comfort zone. #gtchat
A3: Constraints are what we and our Ss make of them. I like to think constraints usually create the opportunities for creative and outside of the box thinking. That said, easier said than done. #gtchat
A3) Our brains are constantly in efficient mode, constraints force us to think. They can inspire us to use our minds to be more resourceful; responding to challenge. This is a major reason we want our children to face challenge early on in school. #gtchat
A3) my campus ran out of paper copies so we’ve had to adjust the way we present materials and get data. New apps and programs have come in handy. But technology is very hard to get at this point. More problems means creative solutions. #gtchat
A4) Teachers should consider the scope and breadth of assigned projects and even tasks. It’s important to consider time constraints will reach across all areas of your students’ lives. By cutting down the number of choices, projects are more manageable. #gtchat
A4) Starting early with creative and problem solving activities, also incorporating engineering challenges and open ended projects where students have choice - the choice combines with open-ended opens the door for deeper thinking and persistence #gtchat
A4) Most students will be able to respond better to smaller projects with tighter schedules rather than semester long projects. Even with increased workloads, creativity can increase in these situations. #gtchat
A4: For one, we as Ts need to persist through constraints and allow our Ss to see this (good or bad) from time to time. We also have to be flexible enough in our teaching so Ss feel comfortable with constraints we place on them. #gtchat
I agree - process and effort is much more meaningful in the long run than finishing a project in order to be done. Emphasis on process and effort encourages persistence #gtchat
A4) Students who encounter constraints tend to think more deeply about options. They were also more motivated. They explore less familiar paths, to diverge in previously unknown directions. (Haught-Tromp) #gtchat
A4) helping students chunk assignments to work towards a larger goal/project. Finding more efficient way of attacking a project or challenge. And just today we had a conversation of time management and prioritizing. All could impact creativity #gtchat
A4) Put their school responsibilities in perspective. It's not what they complete, or the directions they follow, that will last, but what they create. #gtchat
A5) The severity of limited resources leads one to contemplate where to draw the line. Creativity can be squashed if the limitations are simply too great. #gtchat
A5) I believe that’s the best question. I know some gifted students struggle w/perfectionism and when an activity is not preferred or at their ideal level #gtchat
A4) Put their school responsibilities in perspective. It's not what they complete, or the directions they follow, that will last, but what they create. #gtchat
A4 I have my students visualize the end of the project before they start. I think it helps them anticipate problems or issues before they become barriers. It helps them also plan the smaller steps #gtchat
A5) Finding balance to spur and optimize creativity requires us to prioritize necessary resources, innovate and be thoughtful of how we approach each project. #gtchat
A6) One of my favorites – Monty Python & the Holy Grail – a low-budget movie where the actors decided to pound 2 coconuts together to imitate the sounds of horses was incredibly creative while adding hilarity to the film. #gtchat
A6) A famous use of constraints was Hemingway’s response to a proposal to write his memoir in 6 words: “For sale: baby shoes, never worn.” Tragic, thought-provoking, and genius … #gtchat
A6) I can't name any famous ones off the top of my head - but most construction projects have constraints of time, money, location, fitting in with existing landscape/structures, intended use of finished product etc #gtchat
A4) To affirm the chances and risks that they take. To share with them the gifts and creativity that we see inside of them. If they know we believe in them, they will continue to be persistent. #gtchat
A3) Constraints exist in virtually all real-life problems that need solving. Overcoming constraints requires creative solutions. Without time constraints, there would be little incentive to find a solution that would be worthwhile to benefactors. #gtchat
Be sure to follow some of the new friends you met here today at #gtchat to continue the conversation on how to take a new look at contraints on the creative process. #gtchat
Our next chat will be on Thursday March 1st at 8E/7C/6M/5P US and Friday 2nd March at 2 PM NZDT/Noon AEDT/1AM UK. Our topic will be “Entrepreneurship for Gifted Kids and Their Parents.” #gtchat
This question is preaching to the choir! Education teaches us to get the “right” answers, it’s hard when we want to get creative but we don’t want to fail. We have to reinforce that failure isn’t final. #gtchat
