Creativity in the Classroom

Case Studies in Using the Arts in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education

The aim of this book is to present alternatives to this instrumentalism and its impact upon critical thinking and learning. It provides illustrations that through the use of the creative arts and humanities, flexible and creative teaching and learning can take place that goes beyond the delivery of pre-existing knowledge and enables critiques of socially constructed thinking at various levels. This approach can foster deeper awareness of self, one another and the world, richer engagement with study, greater confidence and resilience. In essence, the teaching methods illustrated in this book provide the means to dialogue and debate in the classroom and to support personal, academic and social integration. Through this process, spaces are created for transformative learning to occur. Another premise is that, when used, these methods should be methodologically grounded and rigorous; their validity should be visible and they should have purpose and utility as teaching and learning practices; and in these case studies, there are some compelling examples of how this can be achieved.