W03 - Facilitating Students in Doing Project Work: A Creative Problem-Solving Approach
Dr Ng Aik Kwang
In this workshop, you will be introduced to a model of creative problem-solving (CPS) which consists of five stages: Defining the problem (Stage 1); Generating alternative solutions (Stage 2); Selecting an appropriate solution (Stage 3); Testing out the chosen solution (Stage 4); Evaluating the results & outcomes (Stage 5). You will learn how to use this model of CPS to facilitate your students in doing project work. To ensure a good undestanding of the creative process, a variety of examples are provided. These examples are based on actual project work which students had to complete. They include popularizing a groundbreaker (Project Work for 2007), journeys (Project Work for 2008), emergencies as well as conservation (Project Work for 2009).
Who should attend
Participants who want to know what creative problem-solving is and how they can use it to facilitate students in doing project work.
Profile of trainer
Dr Ng Aik Kwang is an expert on the cultivation of creativity in the Asian classroom and society. He is the author of five popular books on this subject. They include Why Asians Are Less Creative Than Westerners (2001); Liberating the Creative Spirit in Asian Students (2004); Creative Problem-Solving for Asians: A Practical Guide to Develop Your Creativity as an Asian (2007); Asian & Western Paths to Happiness: How to be Creative and Live the Good Life (2008) as well as Creativity: Questions & Controversies (2009). Dr Ng received the 2001 Early Career Research Award from the International Council of Psychologists for a provocative paper which is interestingly entitled Why Creators are Dogmatic People, “Nice” People are not Creative and Creative People are not “Nice”. After obtaining his PhD in Psychology at the University of Queensland in Australia, Dr Ng worked as an Assistant Professor at the National Institute of Education (1999 – 2005). Besides lecturing at NIE, Dr Ng has conducted courses on creativity in many schools and learning organizations, including Singapore Management University, Nanyang Technological University and UniSIM. Dr Ng is also an entrepreneur who set up The Idea Resort. This is a training firm which provides practical workshops for teachers and students in areas like creativity, multiple intelligences, critical thinking, classroom management, cooperative learning.
Workshop Feedback
A. Collective feedback of 33 Senior Teachers
| Criterion variables | Total responses | Strongly Agree 5 |
Agree 4 |
Neutral 3 |
Disagree 2 |
Strongly Disagree 1 |
Mean Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preparation and Organization | 33 (100%) |
24 (72.7%) |
9 (27.3%) |
0 (0.0%) |
0 (0.0%) |
0 (0.0%) |
4.7 |
| Knowledge of the subject | 33 (100%) |
26 (78.8%) |
7 (21.2%) |
0 (0.0%) |
0 (0.0%) |
0 (0.0%) |
4.8 |
| Enthusiasm for the subject | 33 (100%) |
30 (90.9%) |
3 (9.1%) |
0 (0.0%) |
0 (0.0%) |
0 (0.0%) |
4.9 |
| Promotion of learning & thinking | 33 (100%) |
14 (42.4%) |
19 (57.6%) |
0 (0.0%) |
0 (0.0%) |
0 (0.0%) |
4.4 |
| Delivery of the subject | 33 (100%) |
11 (33.3%) |
21 (63.7%) |
1 (3.0%) |
0 (0.0%) |
0 (0.0%) |
4.3 |
| Effectiveness of facilitator | 33 (100%) |
16 (48.5%) |
17 (51.5%) |
0 (0.0%) |
0 (0.0%) |
0 (0.0%) |
4.5 |
| Overall rating of workshop | 33 (100%) |
23 (69.7%) |
10 (30.3%) |
0 (0.0%) |
0 (0.0%) |
0 (0.0%) |
4.7 |
B. Individual feedback of school teachers
Kwang is very motivated in promoting the cause of creativity in teaching. His workshop is filled with colorful anecdotes about eminent creators and creative teachers. It inspires me to unleash the creative spirit in my own students.
Jeremy Lee, Nan Chiau Primary School
I have a great time in applying what I’d learnt in this workshop to my own class, especially the ones where I was able to combine maths, art and mother tongue in one lesson. The students were happy as I brought them out of the classroom to conduct my lesson. They now beg for more of such lessons to be conducted.
Noor Naime, Telok Kurau Primary School
A very practical and interesting workshop. I learned how to nurture creativity in my students. I am made aware of creativity killers and how to protect students from them. I can apply what I have learned to my lessons.
Constance Kwok, Chong Boon Secondary School
How to Order Workshop
If you’re interested to order any of these workshops, please contact Dr Ng Aik Kwang, Director, The Idea Resort.
Email:
Hp: 9780 2202 / 9118 3014
Workshop duration
1 Day - 9am to 5pm