“To teach is not to transfer knowledge but to create the possibilities for the production or construction of knowledge” (Freire, 2000, p. 30). This hands-on experiential workshop tunes into the praxis of creativity by exploring the utilization of arts-informed (Efland, 2002), evidence-based (Petty, 2009) teaching strategies and their efficacy in promoting higher order thinking and double loop learning (Argyris, 1999). This approach to teaching and learning provides significant opportunities “that foster the capacity to construct interpretations” (Efland, 2002, p. 161) and as such are critical to the promotion of transformative learning (Dirkx, Mezirow & Cranton, 2006). Creative arts-based strategies are often overlooked as effective learning strategies in teacher education, despite the evidence that supports their use (Petty, 2009). Engagement in a creative learning process helps learners synthesize and integrate concepts and contributes to transformative learning (Author & Co Author, 2014). When implemented effectively, these innovative activities can tune into imaginations to open up new perspectives, construct alternative interpretations and assimilate learning.
Throughout the workshop, participants will engage in dynamic dialogue as they explore an experiential arts-based process and experience several dimensions of creativity. Challenges and opportunities implementing creative approaches to learning will be explored and examples of student work will be showcased and contextualized to their intended learning outcomes as situated learning. Specifically, participants will:
- Discuss critical questions related to the praxis of integrating creativity and arts-based strategies into teaching practice; - Explore a number of arts-based, evidence-based instructional strategies; and - Represent dynamic dialogue in an arts-based manner.
