BS Creative Thinking
BS Creative Thinking
BS Creative Thinking
Descriptors/Topics
Definition and meaning of creativity
The nature of creative thinking
- Convergent and Divergent thinking
- Idea generation and evaluation (Brain Storming)
- Image generation and evaluation
- Debating
The six-phase model of Creative Thinking: ICEDIP model
Definition
A way of looking at problems or situations from a fresh perspective that suggests
unorthodox solutions (which may look unsettling at first).
Creative thinking can be stimulated both by an unstructured process such as brainstorming,
and by a structured process such as lateral thinking.
CREATIVITY
Creativity is the act of turning new and imaginative ideas into reality.
It is characterised by the ability to perceive the world in new ways, to find hidden patterns,
to make connections between seemingly unrelated phenomena, and to generate solutions.
Creativity involves two processes: thinking, then producing. If you have ideas, but don’t act
on them, you are imaginative but not creative.
CREATIVE THINKING
Mental characteristic that allows a person to think outside of the box, which results in
innovative or different approaches to a particular task.
Creative thinking embodies a relaxed, open, playful approach and is less ordered,
structured and predictable than critical thinking.
CONVERGENT THINKING
It generally means the ability to give the "correct" answer to standard questions that do not
require significant creativity.
Examples:
1. Multiple choice tests
2. Spelling tests
3. Math quizzes
DIVERGENT THINKING
Divergent thinking is a thought process or method used to generate creative ideas by exploring
many possible solutions.
It typically occurs in a spontaneous, free-flowing, 'non-linear' manner, such that many ideas
are generated in an emergent cognitive fashion.
Example: Brainstorming
IDEA GENERATION AND EVALUATION
1. Evaluating the results is the final and most important part of the Brain Storming process.
2. At the end of a successful brainstorming session you will have a long list of ideas. Now you
will need to separate the “jewels” from the “junk” and create a manageable list of feasible
ideas that are worthy of further investigation.
3. Clarify: Make sure everyone understands what each idea means.
4. Categorize Ideas: Combine related ideas. Re-write your list or rearrange post-it notes.
5. Rank Order Ideas: Ranking the brainstorming results helps to focus a team's efforts to find
workable solutions to the issue at hand.
1. If you’re truly stuck for ideas, perform an image search on your topic of choice, pick a
random photo. Work backwards from the picture, developing a story around how the
photo was taken.
2. With a picture in front of you, extract an idea from it, or imagine a similar
theme/person/action happening within your own situation.
3. Next think of how you can use that new situation/object/attitude in your own situation. It
does not immediately have to be a positive solution but you may later be able to move
from it to a good solution.
DEBATING
WHAT IS DEBATING?
1. Competitive debating is a fun activity similar to a game in which we examine ideas and
policies with the aim of persuading people within an organized structure.
2. It allows us to consider the world around us by thinking about different arguments,
engaging with opposing views and speaking strategically.
ICEDIP MODEL
1. INSPIRATION- where you explore, generate ideas, have visions, research similar projects,
brainstorm and dream.
2. CLARIFICATION- where you discuss your aims, focus on your goals, research costs and
assess risks.
3. EVALUATION- where you assess which ideas have best potential, and how to improve your
work as it moves forwards.
4. DISTILLATION– the process of concentrating or boiling your ideas down into a single vision.
5. INCUBATION- or not thinking about your idea! This phase is about letting go and allowing
new connections to happen naturally. You may have the occasional ponder.
6. PERSPIRATION- the hard work phase where you actually put plans into action, with
determination.