Action 2

Keep Open

from The Future Creative: 10 Actions for Fueling Creativity in Education by Matthew J. Worwood and Cyndi Burnett.

Scanned the QR code from the book? You’re in the right place.

Creativity needs room to breathe. Keep Open makes the case that some of the most important moments in a creative classroom happen when educators resist the urge to close down possibilities too quickly; whether that means holding off on judging a student’s idea, staying curious about an unfamiliar approach, or letting a conversation go somewhere unexpected. Openness isn’t a passive state. It’s a deliberate practice, and it changes everything that follows.

“Being open means listening without judgment. It involves recognising that any new idea, even if it feels wildly unconventional, is potentially transformational.”

⬇ Download the Keep Open Resource Companion resource for Action 1 from The Future Creative — coming soon

Episodes referenced in this chapter

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Jonathan Plucker
Discussing Excellence Gaps and Creativity · Season 2
Jonathan's open-door policy — and the self-cleaning makeup brush story — is the chapter's opening lesson in what happens when you resist closing down an idea too quickly.
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Vlad Glăveanu
Introducing Sociocultural Theories of Creativity · Season 1
Vlad opens the chapter with a reminder that uncertainty isn't a problem to fix — it's an invitation to take everyone on an exploration with you.
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Andrea Mango
Giving Up Control in the Classroom · Season 6
Andrea's story of transforming her classroom — poles, cardboard robots, and all — shows what happens when you push past the inner critic and trust the idea.
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Jim Diamond
Ideas to Explore and Evaluate · Season 7
Jim's practical advice: acknowledge your inner critic, then set it aside — quiet it just enough to let your ideas flow freely.
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Peter Wachtel
Breaking Records and Igniting Creativity · Season 7
Peter's challenge to educators: stop raising the roof and take the roof off completely — invite the wild ideas first, then start narrowing.
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Jonathan Fineberg
Using the Artistic Process to Teach PhD Students · Season 5
Jonathan makes the case for active listening — not just hearing students' words, but the thinking behind them, and staying open to what you might have missed.

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