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Kansas State University

WHAT STIFLES CREATIVITY IN STUDENTS?

from
Principles of College Teaching

 

College students report that the following inhibit their creativity:
  • Taking roll; using a seating chart
  • Repetitious, pointless assignments -- busy work
  • Memorization of trivia
  • Failure to outline the schedule of class requirements
  • Punishment for petty things, such as tardiness
  • Putting students "on the spot"
  • A teacher who:
    • lacks a sense of humor
    • exaggerates own importance
    • lacks emotional maturity
    • speaks in a monotone
    • discourages questions
    • fails to give overview of day's lesson
    • asks few stimulating questions
    • does not make prompt decisions
    • has no reward system for creative behavior
    • grades arbitrarily
    • gives tests that are not related to class
    • allows too little time on tests/projects
    • restricts thinking on tests to memorization