Creativity in Schools: Tensions and Dilemmas

The author considers a wide variety of issues and perspectives raised by a new attention on creativity. The book is divided into three sections that focus on: the challenges of fostering creativity in schools; the problems of separating creativity from values; and, the implications for liberal education. Questions raised and considered include: to what extent is creativity a tool; is creativity determined by its subject context; can the demise of creativity be attributed to the technicization of teaching; is there a universal concept of creativity or is it limited by its cultural specificity; how appropriate is the implication that creativity is a good thing for the economy, for society and for education, without reflection on the consequences (i.e. the "throw away" society); and how can teachers encourage students to evaluate the effect of their choices on others.

Anna Craft is Senior Lecturer in Education at The Open University, Director of The Open Creativity Centre