While the debate concerning the importance of focusing on the three ‘R’s – reading, writing and arithmetic will always be present in schools, I believe a focus on what I call the three ‘C’s is just as, if not more, important. I believe in fostering the concepts of creativity, collaboration, and connectedness in our students to support them in becoming positive contributors to society.
And so as to explain the importance of these ongoing life skills I am going to refer to how they impacted on four of the most influential human beings on the planet – John, Paul, George and Ringo, and have a look at what we can learn from them as educators.
Creativity
Since the beginning of time, humans have searched for ways to express themselves, and in turn, share their stories, emotions, feelings and views on their world. In its earliest forms, man used cave paintings as a way of not only recording and sharing their stories, but as a form of creative expression. Over time, visual arts, music, dance and poetry all became vital tools in sharing our innermost thoughts and experiences. And where would Maths and Science be without creative and challenging thinking?
And in reference to the Beatles, there is no explanation needed. But it is important to note that by harnessing their creativity, the Beatles were able to take advantage of their talents and achieve things even they wouldn’t have thought possible.
In recent years, the development of computer technology which empowers the user to be creative and share their work easily with the world via the Internet, has seen the creation of a new medium of self expression. Now, at more than any other time in history, we have access to tools (such as Twitter, Facebook and other Web 2.0 applications) that allow us to share our thoughts, ideas and creative work immediately with the world.
Our challenge as educators is to continue to inspire this most natural of instincts in the everyday classroom. In a world that is becoming all the more data driven, often the first thing to be sacrificed are tasks and projects that promote creativity. Now, more than ever, educators need to be strong in their resolve to foster creativity. Share and celebrate experiences, good and bad, so as to promote creative thinking which could one day solve the problems of tomorrow.
Collaboration
The ability to co-operate, debate, justify, and reconsider are some of the most important skills we will use in our everyday life. Collaboration does not mean we always get along or agree on everything either. Some of the most brilliant ideas and work of our time has been born out of competition and appreciation for other people’s ideas. John Lennon and Paul McCartney are the perfect example of what can be achieved when you are inspired by another person’s ideas, but also forced to challenge and better yourself through a creative process. While the direction was given through a particular or number of people, all elements of the group were important contributors to the final product. Collaboration creates an opportunity for ’synergy’ to occur – the interaction or cooperation of two or more organizations, substances, or other agents to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate effects.
Are we promoting these skills in our classroom? Collaboration does not always mean setting them off for ‘group work.’ We need to provide an environment where the students are clear on the task, its sequence and know how to move forward as well as time to explore, justify and debate their ideas.
Connectedness
While John, Paul, Ringo and George were all completely different individuals with their own beliefs, outlooks, talents and influences, their connectedness to the group was what they shared. They were able to create a trusting and honest environment where they could share their ideas with one another. The sanctuary of the group must have been even more import for the four men as their world became more public and chaotic.
Do our schools and classrooms reflect this type of connectedness? While our students are all unique, the one thing they all share is their connection to the classroom and school. It provides us with a safe environment in which to explore, make mistakes and learn. They are part of something that is reliable and has a certain amount of predictability through the routines of timetables, classes, teachers, etc. This is why the students that often have the most difficult time at home are the students who never miss a day!
Why do so many students ‘drop off” as they make their way through school? Are the size of our institutions and demands on teachers to educate masses of students leading to a sense of a lack of identity? Are the demands of timetabling overshadowing our most basic desire to belong? How can schools make more explicit, and provide an environment, where the teacher / student relationship is the most important factor for success?
So when you think of the three Cs, think of the impact that they had upon the greatest band of all time. Where would the Beatles, and as a result society, be without them?
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