Development - Hello and Welcome | Delta Publishing

Hello and Welcome

Wednesday 3 March 2010

Hello.

The quickest and easiest way to get into creative thinking has always been for me to take an old idea/exercise and try to come up with as many variations as I possibly can. This is what researchers call association, or combinational creativity . Here’s how it works.

Let’s take ”Simon says’ as an example (you know: Simon says raise your hand etc etc). I can add new words, like: ‘Simon says please raise your hand’ or, ‘Happy Simon says: raise your hand’.

I can change the word order: Raise your hand, says Simon, or Raise your hand, dear old Simon says etc. I can even use a gesture, Simon says (gesture: raise your hand) etc etc. Pretty straight-forward. Many other variations are possible, of course.

I think it’s clear why this is nice and easy, there’s no major output required, hitch-hiking on someone esle’s idea is a lot easier than coming up with a brand new exercise, say.

This strategy has often been used in other fields such as music for example (think Bach, or ANY jazz musician) as well as in literature (Raymond Queneau, and many, many others).

I’d be interested to hear what strategies you use.

Take care and happy posting.
Chaz

4 responses to Hello and Welcome

Wendy says:

March 11, 2010 at 1:33 pm

Good to read what you have to say Chaz!

Why Simon?????? I change it to ‘Wendy says’

I think TPR (total physical response) is one of the most powerful ways to teach language/meake meaning and is often forgotten.

I use it from the simplest e.g.
prepositions
adjectives (colour,shape,size)
verbs
adverbs
feelings

to more complex
adjectives (colours/hues (wishy washy blue), sizes (gigantic, ginormous)
metaphors (slinky as a snake, thin as a rake)
feelings (downtrodden, uplifted)

fabby stuff … bfn, Wendy

Reply
Lindsay Clandfield says:

March 16, 2010 at 7:31 am

Hi Chaz

Great first post – nice and clear little idea of creative versions of a classic activity. Next time I’m doing this I will use one of your suggestions!

Reply
Theresa Gorman says:

March 21, 2010 at 10:55 pm

Hi Chaz,
becoming more creative has been on my ‘wish list’ for a long time. When I’m trying to come up with lesson activities or a solution to a teaching problem, it seems like after some time spent consciously focused on the work–brainstorming, planning, etc, I seem to get my best ideas later, once I’ve switched focus. In fact, usually new ideas come to me in the shower. There seems to be something about exercising the brain muscles and then getting away from the pressure to come up with something.

Reply
- Chaz Pugliese says:
  
  March 22, 2010 at 5:10 pm
  
  Hello Theresa, thanks for posting.
  Yes, I know what you mean. Sometimes ideas just need to be left to brew undisturbed for a while. This is what psychologists call the incubation period.
  It’s often a good idea to take our minds off an idea, let it simmer and then go back to it with renewed energy. When Einstein faced a tough problem, he would often take a break, pick up his violin play for some time and sure enough the solution would come to him while playing. Writers suffering from blocks do similar things: they go for a walk, or just do anything that would distract them from the task at hand.
  All the best.
  
  Chaz
  
  Reply

Delta Development Blog

This blog will be updated at least once a week, so add it to your bookmarks. You can also subscribe to the feed to be notified when it's updated.

Meet the Bloggers

Louis Rogers (January to March 2012)
Ken Paterson (December 2011 to February 2012)
Richard Brown & Lewis Richards (September to November 2011)
Liz Walter & Kate Woodford (September to October 2011)
Kyle Mawer & Graham Stanley (April to August 2011)
Nik Peachey (from November 2010)
Nicky Hockly (September & October 2010)
Julie Pratten (July & August 2010)
Gill Johnson (April 2010)
Chaz Pugliese (March 2010)
Luke Meddings (August 2009)
Lindsay Clandfield (July 2009)
Duncan Foord (June 2009)
Scott Thornbury (May 2009)

Teaching Online

Teaching Online is essential reading for any teacher interested in online teaching and course delivery. It deals comprehensively with both the tools and the techniques necessary for online language instruction.

The Business English Teacher

From the award-winning DELTA TEACHER DEVELOPMENT SERIES. The Business English Teacher is a book not only for teachers who are thinking of making a career move into the field of business English teaching but also for those who would like to increase their skills and develop their potential.

The Pronunciation Book

FORTHCOMING SPRING 2012. Part of the Delta Teacher Development Series. The Pronunciation Book considers the significance of pronunciation in teaching and learning, providing a straightforward overview of the elements of English pronunciation. The authors go on to offer a bank of ready-made activities for working on all aspects of pronunciation, followed by both suggestions and activities for practical and professional development in this vital field.

Being Creative

Part of the Delta Teacher Development Series. Being Creative takes you on a journey that reveals how all teachers have the potential to become creative. Whether you are experienced or new to the classroom, Being Creative allows your teaching to take flight.

Teaching Unplugged

Teaching Unplugged has just been awarded the British Council 2010 ELTons UK Award for Innovation. Teaching Unplugged is the first book to deal comprehensively with the approach in English Language Teaching known as Dogme ELT.

The Company Words Keep

FORTHCOMING SPRING 2012. Part of the Delta Teacher Development Series. The Company Words Keep examines how we store language in ready-made chunks that we retrieve and use, rather than elaborately constructing ‘grammar’ each time we speak. The authors provide a wealth of activities which apply their methodology to both the coursebook and to authentic contexts, taking advantage of corpus linguistics. Teachers are also offered suggestions and activities for further development in this exciting field.

The Developing Teacher

The Developing Teacher has been awarded the 2009 Duke of Edinburgh/ESU Award for Best Entry for Teachers. The Developing Teacher suggests that teachers themselves are the most powerful agents of change and development in their own professional career.

Digital Play

Digital Play is a pioneering book on the use of computer games in language teaching. Authors Kyle and Graham are experts in teaching with technology and training teachers in innovative classroom practice.

Culture in our Classrooms

Part of the Delta Teacher Development Series. Culture in our Classrooms acknowledges the role of culture in the English Language Teaching classroom and provides lesson content which is relevant, useful and engaging for students.