Exploring New Teaching Methods
Well, we are humans afterall and constant and repetitive activities become really boring and very unsuitable for creative activities. For us we are always in search of a change of environment to spur creativity. The lastest trip that we did as a class was a getaway to the Pangkor Island. It is difficult not to be relaxed when you are surrounded with your friends, hills and the sea.
(traditional Malay Fishing Village)
I enjoy taking the classroom out from the faculty. This is where they can explore more than just the four walls that will inhibit their resourcefulness for sourcing for new inspiration. If you ever wonder why artists look for references this is so that they get a different perspective of things, the reference may not necessarily be adopted in their work, but it gives them a wider view of things. It is like looking through a wide angle lens.
A healthy mind is an active mind. We indulge in sports and other recreational activities so that we remain alert and cheerful. They always say that sports produces dopamine that will make us happy and creative.
Everyone is allowed to be crazy and looney.
After the Sports and Games
Now back to teaching...I give the respective students their role to play.
The impromptu story telling session with unexpected topic is supposed to get them cracking their heads and squeeze their creativity to come up with something interesting and exciting. The industry is such that even at times when you are dry for ideas, there is still demand for more input and that is when the challenge starts. So, they got to deal with it even as students.
I split them into groups and they moved on to role playing. Here is a fusion of not just individual creativity but group and teamwork. The moment one individual does not pull his/her weight the entire team will feel the brunt.
I even ask them to for coordinated and choreographed practice which means they have no choice but to work together and get their act together within a short period of time. Here, the trick is having a leader that everyone must obey. Too many cooks will spoil the broth.
The Fun and Unwinding
It may look like some native fire dance but it isn't. This is the time when we chill out and learn more about each other. Sometimes it takes more than just normal teamwork to build a strong team. It takes understanding and camaraderie.
