Into the Rabbit Hole, up to the Sky: Teaching for imagination

Susan Brenner
Capella University, College of Education

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     Last modified: March 12, 2007
     Presentation date: 07/19/2007 1:25 PM in Coast Hotel Nelson Room
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Abstract
"Imagination is more important than knowledge." (Einstein) "There has never been a time in history when human imagination wasn't important, but ...it has never been more important than now because . . .so many of the tools of collaboration are becoming available to everyone." (Friedman, 2006,
The World is Flat)
Teaching for imagination is teaching for the future. Our rapidly changing world offers challenges that demand a new way of thinking. Education must be a forum for creative thinking--imaginative thinking that goes beyond what is to what could be. This thinking allows the learner to expand knowledge and use it in a new way.
Imagination is at the heart of all literacy growth. Imagination is unique to each individual; it provides motivation for each learner by allowing him/her to personalize learning. Engagement in personalized learning makes students active rather than passive learners. Teachers need to explore strategies for releasing imagination to engage children in the power of literacy. Teaching for imagination allows teachers to use their creativity-- education becomes a joy and teaching an art.