Towards a Unified Approach to Creativity in Education: Integrating Whitehead and Dewey

Abstract

Creativity in education is universally valued, but the diversity of theories and directions in the field of creativity studies is challenging for practitioners to understand and apply in classrooms. In this conceptual article and position paper, we propose a unified educational approach to creativity based on the philosophical ideas of Alfred North Whitehead and John Dewey. Whitehead’s notion of concrescence—where diverse experiences and resources are integrated into a coherent whole—along side Dewey’s pragmatic emphasis on experiential learning, provides a robust foundation for enabling creativity in educational settings. Drawing upon these stances, we offer a set of three principles derived from the integration of Whitehead’s and Dewey’s thoughts, aimed at enhancing the practical application of creativity in education. These principles focus on designing learning environments that foster creativity and align with learners’ natural developmental tendencies, and the processual nature of learning. As a plausible practice example, we apply these principles within Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) education, showcasing a practical thought experiment that applied the three integration principles and merges experiential learning and the integration of varied experiences and resources. This approach emphasizes the role of teachers as designers of learning environments that foster creativity. A design-based approach can inform curriculum development, teaching methods, and classroom management, influencing research, practice, and policy. By rethinking creativity through the integration of Whitehead and Dewey, educators, researchers, and policymakers can develop more coherent strategies that promote creativity more centrally in the educational process, addressing the need for innovative and adaptive thinking in students.