My 2 cents in Creativity research
- Introduction Looking back past nearly 30 years, I recall having done some quite creative works in the field of mathematics education, English language development and thinking in general. Some of them I am describing briefly here.
Refractive and other thinkings This was my first attempt to think differently to express some thoughts. I discussed the terms refractive, free dimensional thinking and challenged use of the term reflective thinking way back in 1990. Comparing the phenomenon of reflection, as science terminology, I discussed that reflective thinking is essentially a reactionary approach.
New English words, phrases In my article Augmenting the Base of Thinking, published in April 1993, Times of India La Crème de la Crème, I discussed many new words, phrases, like thact, fumorrow, helicopter view…….later on my friend Prof. Dr. Ashok Sachdev wrote research papers on them and they are part of international work on English lexicography.
Divergent thinking workbook Develop a workbook for two chapters of standard 7th maths for Ph. D. work. The workbook had many mathematictivities.
MOCPA As a part of my Ph. D. work on creativity in mathematics, I coined two new tools and they are terms too. More than One Correct Possible Answers. The mad rush of expecting performance by the teachers and parents that the child answers each question in seconds has done irreparable damage to develop children's liking for maths. The craze for one unique answer questions has been rather counter productive towards developing interest in maths. By the time the majority struggles to answer, it has been given by someone and the class proceeds further.
The MOCPA questions give loose rope. Example - if we ask Write as many answers as possible for the equation
____ + ___ = 25
You also think how many answers are possible. Will you believe if I say you can write an infinite number of answers for this, would you not be surprised ? But you can actually write infinitely many answers by including negative numbers, fractions, decimals etc. In these types of questions, there is no the answer and all answers are correct. This opens creativity. Especially in geometry truly creative activities take place.
Another meaning of MOCPA can be More than One Correct Possible Approaches. The questions which can be solved in different ways, encourage creativity.
Colour progress cards As part of my work as Director IPS Maths Centre, I designed a Colour Based Progress card. The card had from red to green. Separating each 20% in a different colour, the five color bands showed entire year's progress.
MTCTM Moghe Test for Creative Thinking in Maths was developed as a part of my Ph. D. work. The test has 10 items each having MOCPA questions. Different items test different dimensions of creativity in maths. It is based on the Guilford Model of Structure of Intellect. Study of responses helps in identifying learning difficulties, learning blocks to improve performance in maths.
Maths exhibition Conceptualised and implemented launch of a 2 days long Maths public exhibition. It was visited by over 3000 people.
Creative worksheets Designed, developed, handwritten, unique over 375 worksheets covering different aspects of school mathematics. The oldest being from 1991.
IPS Maths Centre was formed in 1993 summers. Through teachers' training, quality of mathematics education was studied across the K - 12 range. In two years, 2 public maths exhibitions, 2 maths summer camps, many training programs were done. The activity was widely covered by the media.
Nationwide classroom Introduced online teaching, nationwide classroom at AISECT in 2012-14 to train all franchisees, faculties across the network.
Teacher Plus An end to end, all inclusive Project for teacher training, recruitment, professional development. It is planned to reach, connect, relate and train 100,000 teachers by 2030.
Beyond Abacus In 2012, developed an entire alternate approach to teach maths. Various ideas, notes, toys, games all are in the process of being registered trademarks.
Write Better Initiated in the SAGE University, a writing skill development activity open to all activities in December 2018. Through worksheets on grammar, vocabulary and usage, English is developed. Many courses are ready to launch.
Mera Prayas is an attempt to create entrepreneurs in the education sector. In collaboration with Green Workforce, Incubator at IIM Lucknow Noida Centre, many activities are conducted.
Rich Teacher A five days workshop to introduce teachers and others to modern techniques to showcase their talent and be market friendly.
GIM Guaranteed Improvement in Maths is a service under which I study the student's learning style, habits, fears towards maths and using unique strategy improve the child's maths performance.
And this blog is the latest on the list of creative activities I have been doing. Feel free to join any, many, all of these activities.
Dr Prakash Moghe
Moghe Education Consultancy
8085906062, 7489447223
drpnmoghe@gmail.com
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