Mary-Louise Hansen

Harnessing Creativity Mary-Louise Hansen

Harnessing Creativity describes a new education model based on creativity, natural learning, and neural development. The numerous color illustrations of children's art demonstrate that creativity is the universal formation of personal schemata of meaning through a dynamic comparison of input to the senses and memories. The "Harnessing Creativity" methodology encourages creative expression - defined as individual response involving exploration of media, communication, and the process of mapping onto symbol sets as common frames of reference - through provision of an information-rich environment. Ideas for implementation are given in detail for two different models: an experimental school outside the confines of traditional institutions and homeschooling. An overarching conceptual structure for dividing space and time according to modes of thinking (corresponding to subject areas of reading/writing, math, science, history, art, music, dance, and foreign languages) replaces step-by-step curricula. Validation of creative expression replaces competition and measurement against standards. Information is shared rather than specifically taught and is not limited according to preconceived ideas of developmental appropriateness. This model is ideal for parents who want to be actively involved and in control of the education process, and whose goal is to maximize their child's individual potential by offering learning as a joyful experience of self-validation and growth. The author describes the personal journey as a student, teacher, and parent that led to the formation of her learning theories. She offers a critique of the entrenched fallacies that place artificial limitations on traditional schooling and presents arguments for the vital importance of improving education for the future of civilization.