Creativity Should Be Taught Like Math or Science
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Around the world, educators are fostering creative thinking with their students. We see this every day across both K-12 and higher education in compelling, engaging ways. I remember a 4th grade reading class that I attended where the teacher read aloud to students while sitting around a “virtual campfire” she’d created with iMovie – the students loved it. At the same time, we hear a lot about a growing emphasis on, “teaching to the test” that can sometimes result in a decreased focus on creativity – we think this is a huge problem for our students and for the global economy. College-educated professionals agree. I wanted to share newly-released results of what more than 1000 college graduates say about the importance of creativity in education.
According to Creativity and Education: Why it Matters, a study* produced by research firm Edelman Berland, 88% of the U.S. professionals surveyed believe that creativity should be built into standard curricula. While 78% say it is important in their career, 32% don’t feel comfortable thinking creatively in their work, and a large majority (78%) wishes they had more creative ability.
Furthermore, 85% percent of respondents agree creative thinking is critical for problem solving in their career, and 68% of respondents believe creativity is a skill that can be learned. Nearly three-quarters (71%) say creative thinking should be “taught as a course – like math or science.”
What this study is telling us is that we need to empower educators and raise the importance of teaching creativity as a critical competency across all disciplines. This will drive the global economy and the career success of the next generation. Now is the time to embrace creativity as a critical skill as opposed to a “nice to have.”
Please take a look at the survey data and share your thoughts with us. Additional information available through:
- Infographic: Creativity and Education: Why it Matters
- Media Alert: Study: Creativity Should be Taught as a Course
- Research Results: Creativity in Education: Why it Matters
*About the “Creativity and Education: Why it Matters” Study: The data points referenced above come from a study commissioned by Adobe, produced by research firm Edelman Berland and conducted as an online survey among a nationally representative sample of 1,000 Americans, ages 25+ who are college-educated and full-time salaried employees. Interviewing took place from October 17 – 19, 2012. The margin of error is +/-3.1%.
