CREATIVITY AND CRITICAL THINKING

ELIZABETH S. PANGILINAN

Everyone must acknowledge that our world is a constantly evolving world. Our way of life drastically change and it is a struggle to keep upin a society where everythingseems to be instant, and where what’s in for today will surely be out tomorrow.

As educators, we are constantly facing the challenge of unlocking students’ potential to thrive in the restless and shifting environment. It is our duty to hone their skills that will befit for the jobs of the future. We are always boggled with thoughts on how to educate and help them become relevant in order to thrive and help build our society.

How will we shape themin an era where the so-called“creative destruction” exists? How would we make them realize that they are part of a larger sphere?

Perhaps, what the youth should learn today is the value of creativity and critical thinking. They must know that creativity is to visualize and reinvent things to make them better and greater for the benefit of humankind. It entails thinking outside of the box. Critical thinking on the other hand is an innate human skill that modern machineries and technology can’t replicate. These two abilities are fundamental for the learners to conquer the evolving world outside the academe.

It is high time for our current education system to accommodate various changes and adjust according to the demands of the industries in and outside our country. We should not limit students inside the four-walled classrooms, rather let them go out to discover what they are or will be passionate about. Let us educate them that it is not just about the hard skills learned in school, but to be passionate for discovering new things is an essential attitude to reach further destination in their lives. Using traditional methods is not enough anymore and learners must adapt and get out of their comfort zones.Our learnersmust always reinvent themselves and enrich their innate abilities like creativity and critical thinking. Let us guide them to be part of something larger in order to solve problem and help build communities.

To the ‘younger generation’, work hard and be ready to seize opportunities!

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The author is Teacher 3 at Don Jesus Gonzalez High School