To improve learning, teachers are required to be creative or not. The following will describe some tips to be a creative teacher to improve learning.

Harnessing the Power of Constraints

Bennet Cerf, a writer and founder of publishing company Random House, discovered that obstacles have power. According to Cerf, when we encounter obstacles, that’s where we will be required to resolve existing obstacles. In this case, the human brain will work more creatively. So, when there are obstacles that are present, that’s where we can find new ways, even unexpected ways in the problem solving process.

So how does it apply to educators? As a teacher, of course, find obstacles in delivering teaching materials. Usually the most frequent obstacle is the diversity of students. Each student has different family backgrounds, talents & interests, learning styles, deficiencies, and stress levels. Here the teacher is required to provide learning evenly with many differences in each student. For this reason, students do not have the same output. The ranking system is usually used as a benchmark, this makes some students experience a decrease in self-esteem. The second obstacle found was how to help students maintain a positive self-concept and good motivation to learn.

Using Current Methods

Now teachers are found teaching Generation Z who are considered full of creativity, aesthetics and prioritize mental health. It is undeniable that students have been exposed to social media, both those who are in elementary school, and those who are already in middle and high school. The power of social media is very significant in influencing their mindset. Here the teacher indirectly has to follow the times. So as a teacher, you should follow the current methods and attract the attention of students.

In the 90s, the teacher explained the material by writing on the blackboard all the material. Now teachers can replace it by using digital media such as video, digital images, creative power points, audio and the like. Also adjust to things that are familiar to students, for example in English class, students are given the task of making tutorials (step by step) to make new dishes that are currently popular, such as how to make fudgy brownies, how to make sling-bags from patchwork and other ideas.

Collaborate with Students

It is normal for teachers to be considered facilitators in learning. Processing teaching materials and then delivered in front of the students. But what if the teacher packaged it by doing a project together with the students? In this case the teacher does not seem to be patronizing, the teacher will also get an increase in his creativity skills. Teachers can get fresh ideas by listening to the opinions of students.

The idea of ​​a teacher and student collaboration project can be exemplified in art lessons. For example, the teacher asks the whole class, what kind of art and culture lesson do you want the end of the semester to look like. Students are given the freedom to determine the final project, the teacher is also involved in this project. As an illustration, students choose a musical drama performance for their final semester assignment, then they are left to determine the role, the teacher must also be involved in the performance. Then they continued to practice together until the day of the performance.

This collaborative project between teachers and students not only enhances the view of “creative teachers” in giving the authority to choose and be responsible for a subject for students, but also hones the creativity of students, they also hone responsibility and discipline.

Expand Insights

Knowledge for a teacher is not enough to complete the education of students. Teachers are required to have broad insight in order to provide a positive and memorable learning experience for students. Not only those two points, but a teacher who has broad insight will have a good level of wisdom as well.

Those who are broad-minded will not be easy to judge, and are not easy to intimidate. Imagine if the teacher was just stuck with the knowledge he got while studying without looking for new knowledge. They will tend to be rigid, therefore it is very important to broaden their horizons by reading books, watching the news and enriching their knowledge in other ways.

Self Improvement

After broadening their horizons, the teacher can apply the important values of what is obtained. For example, a teacher reads a book about adolescent & child development, or books about public speaking. Then after that he will apply it in everyday life and in the realm of his work as an educator. He will use an interesting public speaking method when delivering material, besides that he will also better understand the development of his students according to the books he reads.

Teachers can also share this self-improvement knowledge with their students. Apart from developing and learning for yourself, it would be wonderful to learn and grow together with the students.

Well, those are some tips that can help you to become a creative, wise teacher and still loved by students. Good luck!