This captivating volume serves as a comprehensive guide to the contributions of Professor Anna Craft, a renowned expert in the field of creativity within education. Holding professorships at both the Open University and the University of Exeter and spending several years as a Visiting Scholar at Harvard University, Anna’s impactful career was cut short by her untimely death from cancer in 2014 at the age of 52.
Through her extensive body of work, which includes over a hundred publications, Anna introduced the concept of ‘possibility thinking’ — a transformative skill that shifts our perspective from the existing state of affairs to potential future scenarios. Her work on ‘everyday creativity’ laid the groundwork for implementing strategies in classrooms and educational policies aimed at nurturing problem-solving capabilities from the earliest stages of education. She viewed this skill as crucial for navigating the complexities and rapid changes of modern societies.
In tribute to Anna’s legacy, her colleagues Kerry Chappell, Teresa Cremin, and Bob Jeffrey have meticulously selected ten seminal pieces from her oeuvre, organized around five central themes that capture the essence of her pioneering ideas:
1. The essence of creativity in teaching and learning
2. The concept of possibility thinking
3. The role of creativity in the professional development of educators
4. The interplay between creativity, ethical understanding, and wisdom
5. The future directions of creativity in educational practices
Contributor Biographies and Insights
Anna Craft
Anna Craft was a Professor of Education at the Open University and the University of Exeter, where she held concurrent chairs. She was a graduate of the University of Cambridge and the Institute of Education, University of London. Her career spanned primary school teacher, polytechnic lecturer, and National Curriculum Council researcher, and for four years, she was a Visiting Scholar at Harvard University.
Reader Feedback and Expert Opinions
“Professor Craft’s work has left an indelible mark on the realms of research and practical application, playing a pivotal role in revitalizing the discourse on creativity and childhood play. The publication of this comprehensive collection serves as a fitting homage, offering an excellent opportunity to extend and enrich Anna Craft’s extensive and impactful legacy.”
“This captivating anthology invites readers on a distinct and profound exploration of Professor Anna Craft’s pioneering contributions to creativity and education. Renowned for her enthusiasm, innovative ‘possibility thinking,’ and a commitment that continues to influence and reshape our approach to educational transformation, this collection stands as a testament to her enduring influence on how we conceive ‘what is’ and imagine ‘what might be’.”
Contents Overview: Discovering the Journey Within
CONTENTS: Foreword, by Simon Craft-Stanley; Preface, by Maurice and Alma Craft; Introduction, by Kerry Chappell, Teresa Cremin and Bob Jeffrey; Sources and acknowledgements;THEME ONE, The Nature of Creative Teaching and Learning: 1. Learner inclusiveness for creative learning (2004) by Anna Craft and Bob Jeffrey; 2. Creative primary schools: developing and maintaining pedagogy for creativity (2014) by Anna Craft, Teresa Cremin, Penny Hay and Jim Clack. THEME TWO, Possibility Thinking: 3. Little c creativity (2001) by Anna Craft; 4. Possibility Thinking: from what is to what might be (2014) by Anna Craft. THEME THREE, Creativity and Education Professionals: 5. Identity and creativity: Educating teachers for postmodernism? (1997) by Anna Craft; 6. Reflective creative partnerships as ‘meddling in the middle’: developing practice (2012) by Anna Craft, Kerry Chappell, Linda Rolfe and Veronica Jobbins. THEME FOUR: Creativity, Wisdom and Ethics: 7. Fostering creativity with wisdom (2006) by Anna Craft; 8. Nurturing creativity, wisdom and trusteeship in education: A collective debate (2008) by Anna Craft, Howard Gardner and Guy Claxton. THEME FIVE, Creativity and Education Futures: 9. Fostering creativity in the primary classroom (2000) by Anna Craft; 10. Co-creating educational futures? (2011) by Anna Craft. IN MEMORY OF ANNA CRAFT (1961–2014): Obituaries and tributes; Published work.
