{"id":713,"date":"2017-09-21T05:07:01","date_gmt":"2017-09-21T10:07:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/curriculumsolutions.net\/?p=713"},"modified":"2017-09-27T09:56:25","modified_gmt":"2017-09-27T14:56:25","slug":"scheduled-creativity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/curriculumsolutions.net\/blog\/2017\/09\/21\/scheduled-creativity\/","title":{"rendered":"Scheduled Creativity"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u201cInspiration is for amateurs.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

—\u00a0 Chuck Close, painter<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Although this title may seem oxymoronic, there is fascinating research supporting the idea that deliberately setting aside time without distraction can induce an optimally creative state in the human brain.\u00a0 This is the central premise in a new book by Cal Newport, entitled Deep Work<\/em>. Unfortunately, we are living in a digital work era that defaults to interruption and distraction, content to let work unfold in a kind of free-form, pinball-esque way.\u00a0 The research, however, shows that even a very brief distraction (\u201cI\u2019ll just check my inbox\u201d) causes a drop in cognitive function. This interruption \u2013 and not its duration \u2013 prevent the brain from achieving deep work. \u00a0The research further demonstrates that the idea that inspiration can only occur in an unstructured setting is actually not the case, citing the finding that highly productive (and creative) thinkers purposefully disconnect from distraction in order to reach this \u2018deep work\u2019 state.<\/p>\n

Deep work isn\u2019t all creative flow (what I have always referred to as \u201cthe zone\u201d). Sometimes deep work involves concentrated practice of a skill that pushes our abilities and produces growth; practice that could not occur in an atmosphere of interruption and distraction.\u00a0 Anyone who does highly intellectual work for a living will recognize the validity of this principle; a phone constantly chirping and buzzing with notifications, voices floating over the cubicle walls, people wandering in to chat, all detract from our ability to hit the flow state necessary for creative productivity.<\/p>\n

What interests me about this is how it might apply to education.\u00a0 Classrooms are hotbeds of distraction:\u00a0 kids talking, announcements on the intercom, phones vibrating in their pockets, people strolling in late, people leaving early with passes, phone calls to the teacher.\u00a0 But there are many areas that would benefit from the kind of deep work Newport talks about in his book.<\/p>\n