Description:

Fostering Creative Criticism in the Classroom

Sometimes our best students think they’re practicing critical thinking skills, or offering constructive criticism, when in fact they’re merely being critical.  This seems to reflect a trend in our culture that conflates being smart with being critical.  This criticism often presents itself as debunking, unmasking error, or opinion.  But if this is the only sort of criticism offered in the classroom it can often shut down meaningful inquiry, appreciation of ambiguity, and – in the case of artistic pursuits – creativity.  In this interactive session, we will be exploring such questions as: How we can encourage our students to approach a text with an open, non-judgmental, or appreciative mindset?  And in terms of responding to the work of their peers, how do we guide them to offer feedback that is meaningful, useful, and that leaves its recipient inspired to do better work?