Thinking outside the box is a helpful state of mind when trying to come up with a solution to a problem. It is a way of looking at something and turning it on it on its head in order to come up with a new answer. The technique of thinking outside the box has been used for many years by businesses and creative types in order to achieve originality. Thinking outside the box can also bring new life to old ideas.
Thinking outside the box is also taking a stand against the normal. Outside the box thinkers are open to new ways of looking at things. They are able to take risks and to look at things from a different perspective. Thinking outside the box does not mean designating the old way of doing things as wrong; it simply means not being afraid to try something that seems different.
Thinking outside the box is like solving a puzzle using an answer no one else has thought of. Using the normal route to a solution is called thinking inside the box and is usually the safest route. To think outside the box, you must be willing to face ridicule and scorn from people who cannot see things from a new perspective. In many cases, thinking outside the box is not an easy option, but some of the most inventive, brilliant and simple ideas have come from people who were willing to take a stand and implement ideas against the advice of others.
Thinking outside the box requires different attributes that include:
* Willingness to take new perspectives to day-to-day work.
* Openness to do different things and to do things differently.
* Focusing on the value of finding new ideas and acting on them.
* Striving to create value in new ways.
* Listening to others.
* Supporting and respecting others when they come up with new ideas.
So:
How Would I Guide My Future Students To Think Outside The Box?
Give freedom/explore
In order to assist the pupils to think outside the box, teacher should gives freedom to the pupils to think and do anything that they want. By letting the pupils to think freely, we are asking the pupils to think for themselves in order to solve something that they have encountered during the process of learning. Moreover, we are letting the pupils’ creativity runs loose which are a great thing for the young learner’s as they are still developing their critical thinking skill. All the teacher needs to do is observe from far and gives some guidance to the pupils should they veer of track. Let the children explore the world and all the possibilities for themselves.
Guidance
When the pupils are thinking creatively and critically outside the box to solve a problem, we as educators should be by their side, giving any guidance should we feel that the pupils are heading towards the wrong direction. Teacher could implement this by asking simple question regarding the topic taught. Remember, do not prompt question that will inevitably gives the answer to the pupils. Next step is to have faith in your pupils that they will be able to solve the problems by themselves. Furthermore if the pupils find it too easy to come out with a solution, challenge them with an even tougher question or problems to be solved. This surely will keep the pupils on their toes to keep thinking for a solution.
Mistake
If you notice that your pupils are making mistake, first of all, let them notice it for themselves. Don’t ever straight away tell the pupils that they are making a mistake. This will dent the pupils’ awareness of the mistakes that they are making and it is not helping the pupils to make mistake. Teacher could tell the pupils prior to giving the task out not to be afraid of making mistake because we learn best from our own mistakes.
Above all, God has given to us human a gift that no other living creatures got…and it is our mind. So we should we thankful and make full use of it because it is a priceless gift that is only given once.
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