Creative Problem Solving & Learning Elements of Creativity

Application of Creative Problem Solving in Real-World Situations

Creative Problem Solving as a Tool to Improve Learning

Since problems happen every day and often in new forms and faces, creative problem solving is of primary importance (Trilling & Fadel, 2009). Convergent and divergent thinking are used in creative problem solving solutions. Structure, casual reasoning and systems knowledge are also involved in the creative problem solving (Jonassen, 2004). This has been a subject of research for more than 60 years now. Creative problem solving was first mentioned and studied by Alex Osborn after he identified seven steps in process. These steps involved orientation, preparation, analysis, hypothesis, incubation, synthesis, and verification.

The concept for creative thinking and problem solving is also applied to learning, especially for children. There have been several researches where creative problem solving has been applied in education contexts and tests have been done in traditional classroom settings, blended classroom settings and online learning contexts.

In order to develop learners' ability to solve problems in a creative manner and apply the knowledge in piratical settings, such applications have utilized several techniques like brainstorming, wh-question, reflection, synectics and others through a range of tools like discussion boards, mail, discussion board, social network and chat rooms among others (Proctor, 2010).

Therefore in context of learning, creative thinking and problem solving is the combining of the problem solving skills with creative thinking of process to solve problems. It involves a process where information is gathered, analyzed and evaluated in a methodical manner.

Elements of Creativity

The phenomenon where something new is created or added and with the creation of value is called creativity. Creativity can be tangible like an invention, a literary work or a painting or intangible like an idea, a theory of science or a musical symphony or even a joke.

There are basically five elements of creativity. These are - cognitive, motivational, affective, personal and social or environmental. It is assumed that the cognitive and affective elements are arguably most important in the process of achieving creativity.

The cognitive component of creativity encompasses basic knowledge from the general life and on field experience, creation of a perceptive, original thinking and a liking for complexity. This also includes abilities like keeping an open mind, an intention to know, curiosity, independence and risk taking. Creativity also involves the ability to combine, analyze and apply in the practical context, various ideas or concepts.

Researchers like Demirkan and Hasirci, (2009) claim that the elements of creativity are interconnected where each of the elements causes and are caused by the others.

According to Sriraman and Lee, (2011), motivation is a very important element of creativity as it drives an individual to achieve something. Unless that individual is motivated to achieve something, that individual would not channelize the other elements of creativity that might be present in that individual. According to researchers such motivation can be the work itself or even some external rewards or fear of punishments.

Some of the elements of creativity also line in innate talent instead of abilities that are acquired from outside like gifted artists, poets and inventors. Acquired talent can be through the process of education.

(Source: http://www.celt.iastate.edu)

Creativity is also affected by the social climate and according to researchers creativity requires a non-threatening, non-controlling climate to foster. Moreover, creativity is also motivated by an environment where creativity is nurtured and encouraged.

Application of Creative Problem Solving in Real-world Situations

Creative approach to solving a problem allows the users a significant degree of freedom and flexibility and a structured approach is the best way that creativity and creative problem solving can be applied in real life situations. Learning from one's mistakes is also another way of being creative in problem solving. Application of creative problem solving in real life is based on a structured process which includes the following:

Object finding: understanding of the problem and identification and defining of the desired output from the problem solving efforts has to be done first. This is the foundation to creative problem solving and every single aspect of the problem and the desired outcome has to be taken into account where the most important aspects should be considered first. In order to be able to explore several solutions to a problem, it is essential that the objective or goal is defined to have a clear idea about what is to be achieved.

Fact Finding: while being creative in solving a problem, all data that are related to the problem and essential to the problem needs to be gathered which also helps in understanding the problem. Perceptions,...

Collection of these ideas helps in the formation of ideas (Basadur & Gelade, 2003).
Problem Finding: it is also necessary to find out the challenges that one might face and the various opportunities that exist based on the gathered data and objective of the problem solving effort.

Idea Finding: it is also critical that individuals, while trying to find a creative solution to a problem, remove blocks like taking recourse to a previous idea and instead undertake process that can create new ideas and concepts like exploring, brainstorming and story boarding of potential ideas.

Solution Finding: after the generation of one or more ideas, it is essential to evaluate the probable outcomes against the objectives that were earlier established to ascertain the success of the ideas (Richardson, 2007).

Acceptance finding: every unique or creative solution needs to also meet with the resources that are available for execution of the solution. Therefore in the last step, it is desirable that creative ideas and their outcomes should also be judged in relation to the resources available and finally judge the acceptability of the solution.

These are the essential steps that individuals or groups looking to implement creative solutions to problems in real life should follow to successfully execute creative ideas in real life situations.

Creative Problem Solving as a Tool to Improve Learning

The process of creative problem solving is a learning process in itself. The creative thinking process and the process of application of creative problem solving to real life situations involve the learning process at every step.

Understanding the problem is the first step in a creative problem solving process and application of creativity. The problem has to be analyzed and identified and this helps in learning about the situations that encompass the problem and the allied difficulties. In real life situations, problem assimilation gives an individual potential to learn about the problem and the possible causes.

The process of finding out facts related to the problem is a step that includes a complete learning process where the an individual attempting to arrive at a creative solution to a problem comes to know about the facts and figures -- both qualitative and quantitative, associated with a problem.

The learning process is further improved by a deeper exploration of the results of the problems and the challenges that are posed by the problem. This gives an understanding of the consequences of the problem where the individual seeking a creative solution is able to learn more about the environment the problem exists in. this gives knowledge not only about the problem about the situations that gave rise to the problem (Treffinger, Selby & Isa-ksen, 2008).

The steps in the creative problem solving process encourages learning it is essentially reflective of the scientific method of defining and describing a problem. Idea generation toys with more knowledge creation and fosters learning as individuals strive to look at solutions after obtaining an understanding of the problem.

The comparison of a solution with the available resources to implement a creative idea gives the individual, seeking a creative solution, knowledge about the resources at hand and thus contributes to the learning process (Kassim, Nicholas & Ng, 2014).

Most importantly, the creative problem solving attempts are all based on facts and evidence and it is an established fact theory that facts and evidence increase knowledge hence it can be concluded that creative problem solving foster and betters the learning process.

Conclusion

In the modern world, problems are an everyday occurrence and as problems crop up in new ways and with new faces. Therefore creative solutions are needed to solve the problems. There are give elements of creativity that include cognitive, motivational, affective, personal and social or environmental elements. Application of creative problem solving involves several steps that starts with a complete understanding of the problems and ends with a comparison of the resources that are available at hand to use for implementation of the solution.

Since creative problem solving is based on facts and evidence and since facts and evidence increases knowledge therefore it can also be concluded that creative problem solving increases learning.