It's summer! Join hosts Dr. Matthew Worwood and Dr. Cyndi Burnett on this first episode of the Listen and Learn Series as they delve into the seminal work of Joy Paul Guilford, often regarded as one of the foundational figures in creativity research. Set against the backdrop of the 1950s, Guilford's influential address as head of the American Psychological Association called attention to the alarming neglect of creativity in psychological studies and education. This episode explores Guilford's differentiation between convergent and divergent thinking and discusses how his ideas laid the groundwork for the structured study of creativity. 

Matthew and Cyndi also highlight the historical context, noting the United States' post-Sputnik focus on bolstering its educational systems to produce more creative scientists and engineers. They draw intriguing parallels between Guilford's observations about early "thinking machines" and today's discussions about generative AI and its impact on human cognition. Concluding with reflections on the cyclical challenges in education and a humorous take on the special code letter for this series, this episode offers listeners a concise yet rich exploration of creativity research's past and its implications for the future. Don't miss out on hearing about the Fueling Creativity in Education summer contest and how you could win a special Fueling Creativity in Education podcast prize pack!

Find the original article "Creativity" by J.P. Guilford here.

Eager to bring more creativity into your school district?Check out our sponsor Curiosity2Create.org and CreativeThinkingNetwork.com

What to learn more about Design Thinking in Education? Do you want to build a sustained culture of innovation and creativity at your school? Visit WorwoodClassroom.com to understand how Design Thinking can promote teacher creativity and support professional growth in the classroom. 

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