Oklahoma State University - Stillwater

College of Education
School of Applied Health and Educational Psychology

Creativity for Teachers

EPSY 5663
Spring 2016
Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep

Instructor: Linnea Van Eman, Ph.D.

Office: 2436 Main Hall Tulsa
Office Hours: Monday p.m. Tulsa by appointment
Telephone: (918) 381-1296- cell; 918-594-8585 - no voice mail
Email: linnea.vaneman@okstate.edu

Required Texts
Davis, G. A. (2004). Creativity is forever, 4th or 5th ed. Dubuque, IA: Kendall/Hunt.
Borrow from nearby library: http://www.worldcat.org/title/creativity-is-forever/oclc/44969006
Offered on http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/creativity-is-forever-davis/1101337869
Piirto, J. (2004). Understanding creativity. Scottsdale, AZ: Great Potential Press, Inc.
Smutny, J.F., & von Fremd, S.E. (2009). Igniting creativity in gifted learners, K-6: Strategies for every
teacher. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.
*One creativity text of your choice, Commitment to Text and/or Author

Other Readings and Handouts.

Course Expectations and Requirements (Learning Opportunities)

1. You are expected to attend all class sessions and participate in class activities and tasks.
The nature of this course does not readily lend itself to making up absences. You are expected
to complete the content readings and any activity as assigned herein before each session,
coming to class prepared to conduct a creative teaching technique or distribute and
discuss relevant materials and ideas related to creativity-a Creative Connection for
for WKs 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13 and will comprise 5% of your course grade.

2. The reading expectation for the semester includes exploration of and a commitment to at
least one other textbook or author related to creativity. A written review of your
semester reading commitment will be turned in by the end of the semester (minimum 2
pages), graded by the instructor, and represents 5% of the course grade.

3. You are expected to keep a daily creative idea notebook over 30 separate days. You
might be familiar with this concept within the typical journal activity commonly used in
creative studies or gifted education; however, the application for this course will be
creative in focus and a striving for innovation in nature. For more information, this

EPSY 5663 Spring 2016- page 1

 activity is called a Thought Log; see Piirto Chapter 13 (420-421). Your notebook/journal
writing will not be graded or turned in; however, a detailed written synthesis, with
examples of the process you have employed and a summary of the development of what
you believe to be your ten (10) most creative ideas will be graded as pass or no pass, will
serve as a mid-term examination score, and will comprise 5% of your course grade.

4. Three Short Assignments or Tasks will be assigned one week in advance of the due date
to be turned in on a specific date (no make-up opportunity), graded by the instructor, and
will comprise 20% of your course grade. Assignments include an extensive list of
Creativity definitions (minimum of 20); 2-3 pages with source references in APA (5%);
Interview with a creative person (10%); My Muse-reflecting on your personal inspiration
1 -2 pages (5%).

5. You are expected to complete a creative semester project. This must be highly
individualized and will be negotiated with the instructor. During the first part of the
semester, we will generate potential ideas about your product (presented on the last class
session during Gallery Night), processes and exploration (maybe you have wanted to
learn a new skill). Prior to turning in and presenting your project, evaluation strategies
(including real audience with written evaluation and a structured and written self-
evaluation) component will be completed. Your product will be graded by the instructor
and will comprise 40% of your grade. The evaluation criteria used by the instructor
includes a response to your detailed and written evidence or rationale for each of the
following:
(1) Completed Product (suitable for a professional audience; evaluated by
experts)
(2) Professional Standards Utilized (including appropriate references
and resources for excellence in the DOMAIN you choose)
(3) Innovative (as supported by literature about innovation)
(4) Imaginative
(5) Relevant to professional strengths, interests, goals, etc.
(6) Evidence of Reflection: self-evaluation and at least 2 peer evaluations.

6. You are expected to complete at least one outside activity (equivalent to three
hours/credits) to demonstrate your commitment to your learning. Some choices are: (1)
participate in a research project as listed on Sona (you are already enrolled in the system);
(2) attendance at an OSU cine-culture series or attend a cultural experiences in Tulsa
approved by instructor; (3) attend the OSU Creativity Festival; (4) other activities as
discussed with your instructor. This will be documented as a reflective review (your
creative approach to document this activity can be negotiated with the instructor) as part
of your Course Portfolio; full credit of 5% of your grade when completed.

7. You are expected to integrate your understanding of creativity into a classroom setting.
You will demonstrate this acquisition of understanding by creating a lesson plan for your
content area (include a lesson plan and appropriately differentiated activities). This will
be graded and comprises 10% of your grade.

EPSY 5663 Spring 2016- page 2

 8. You are expected to learn extensively about the field of creativity, its definition,
characteristics, development, assessment, research, application and its relationship to
problem solving, innovation and intuition. You will demonstrate this acquisition of
understanding by completing a take home final exam. This will be graded and comprises
10% of your grade.

Grading and Other Significant Details:

1. Use a realistic estimate when predicting the time you will need to complete the course
activities and requirements. Although the option of taking an incomplete ("I") is available
to you at the end of the semester should you encounter an emergency or other unexpected
events, it will mean that you will receive one letter grade decrease in your course grade from
the grade you earn at completion. University policy requires 70% of coursework completed
in order to qualify for an incomplete, which needs to be removed within one year. A
written request to the instructor is required (including rationale and a timeline for
completion).
2. Your Course Portfolio will be reviewed for the final course grade. Although self-evaluation
and peer evaluation is a significant portion of each product required, the instructor does
final grading of the assignments. Course grades can be calculated as follows: A is 90% or
above of all possible points; a B is 80 to 89%; and a C is 70 to 79% of all possible points. The
contribution of each requirement to the grade is as follows:
o Weekly Creative Connections (25) 5%
o 30 day Creative Idea Journal, Development & Summary (25) 5%
o Book and/or Author Commitment (25) 5%
o Short Assigned Tasks (3) (100) 20%
Creativity definitions (25)
Interview (50)
My muse (25)
o Creative Semester Project & Evaluations (self & 2 peer evals) (200) 40%
o Outside Activity (15) 3%
o Lesson plan integrating Creativity (60) 12%
o Final Exam, including self-evaluation (50) 10%
3. Late work: 10 percentage points will be deducted from the total points for the assignment
prior to any other deductions (i.e. Lesson Plan worth 60 points; deduct 6 point. Total points
possible 54/60)
4. Learn and practice APA (6th edition) style of writing.
5. Structure professional input from others. In other words, take advantage of your colleagues
(fellow students, professionals in your area, and your instructor).

University Policy
The regular University drop and add policy will be followed. All other University policies apply
to your performance in this course. Note especially ethics regarding academic integrity. Please
access the syllabus attachment for important dates and other policy.
Students with Disabilities
If any member of this class feels that he or she has a disability and needs special accommodations
of any nature whatsoever, the instructor will work with you and the Office of Student Services to
provide reasonable accommodations to ensure that you have a fair opportunity to perform in this

EPSY 5663 Spring 2016- page 3

class. Please advise the instructor of such disability and the desired accommodations at some
point before, during, or immediately after the first scheduled class period.

EPSY 5663 Spring 2016- page 4

 Class Schedule and Readings

Week Topic/Theme Readings and Assignments

January 11 Introductions: to each other; to the course; **Each week Davis (D)- Chapter 1
WK 1 share Creative Connection to the field of creativity Smutny (S)-Chapter 1
Self-Actualization test p. 17
Understanding Creativity (Ending with a generalization
for Creativity)
Creative Connection (WKs 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14)
January 18 University holiday no face to face class Piirto (P)-Chapter 1
WK 2 Defining Creativity-create generalization D Chapter 3
online Define and Categorize ways of understanding Creativity D New Chapter ( )
Task #1 Post on D2L no later than
Jan 22
January 25 Discussion: Definitions and theories-from Wk 2 Readings from WK 2
WK 3 Creative Process, Product, Press
Barriers and Blocks; Creative consciousness D Chapter 2
and intellectual unconsciousness D New Chapter ( )
Creative Connection
February 1 Creative Process P Chapter 2
WK 4 D Chapter 5
Creative Person D Chapter 4
D New Chapter 6
Semester Project Plan Draft Due
Creative Connection
February 8 Gifted and Creativity P Chapter 3-4
WK 5 Encouraging and Motivating Creativity at school, S -Chapter 2
home, and for self
Creative Connection
February 15 Gifted and Creativity D Chapter 9
WK 6 Giftedness, School, and Creativity; Types of D New Chapter 11
(determine content area for your lesson plan) S Chapters 3-7
February 22 Brainstorming, Thinking Techniques; D Chapter 7
WK 7 Insights, steps, and stages D New Chapter 8
My Muse- Task #2 Post in D2L no later than
Creative Connection March 4
February 29 Student Presentations: Personality and Characteristics Will cover Chapter 5-7
WK 8 of Creative People:
Piirto Pyramid,
Artists, Architects, Writers,
Creative Connection
March 7 Student Presentations cont.:
WK 9 Scientists, Musicians, Conductors, etc. Physical Will cover P Chapter 8-11
Performers & Others
Creative Connection
March 14-18 SPRING BREAK-no class
March 21 Creativity Testing; Assessing Potential P Chapter 12;
WK 10 D Chapter 8
D New Chapter 10
Interview Creative Person Task #3 Post in D2L no later than
March 25
EPSY 5663 Spring 2016- page 5
 Creative Connection
March 28 NO CLASS no readings
WK 11 Work on semester project, lesson plan, journal
online Outside Activity Due Post in D2L no later than April 1
April 4 Project Peer Evaluations in class Project Draft Due (2 copies)
WK 12
Peer and instructor review Creativity Lesson Plan Lesson plan Draft due (2 copies)
Final Exam will be posted
April 11 Drama and Action Theatre D Chapter 10
WK 13 D New Chapter 12
30-Day Journal Summary Due- Post in D2L no later than
April 15
Creative Connection
April 18 Now what?: Growth Enhancement D Chapter 11
WK 14 Creativity Training; Problem Solving D New Chapter 13
P Chapter 13
Creativity Lesson Plan due- Post in D2L no later than
April 22
Creative Connection
April 25 Project Presentation & Gallery Night Project & Report Due
WK 15 Presentations and Celebration
May 2-6 Final Exam week- Final Exam Due
WK 16 No Class Post in D2L no later than May 4th

EPSY 5663 Spring 2016- page 6