How Do We Measure Creativity? Rethinking Assessment in Education with Dr. Selcuk Acar

Can we really measure creativity in the classroom—or are we missing the bigger picture?

 

In this engaging episode of the Fueling Creativity in Education Podcast, hosts Dr. Matthew Worwood and Dr. Cyndi Burnett sit down with Dr. Selçuk Acar, Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of North Texas and a leading voice in creativity assessment. Together, they dive deep into the complexities of measuring creativity in educational settings, examining the ongoing debate between domain-general and domain-specific creativity, and discussing the challenges teachers face in recognizing and nurturing creative potential among students. Dr. Acar offers practical advice for educators, emphasizing the importance of open-ended, ill-defined questions to encourage creative thought, and highlights emerging tools and strategies for integrating creativity assessment directly into classroom content.

A central focus of the discussion is Dr. Acar’s work on MOTES, a groundbreaking new measure of original thinking that leverages AI technology to objectively and efficiently score creative responses. The conversation explores how AI is revolutionizing creativity assessment, making it more accessible and scalable in educational environments, and the broader implications this holds for teaching and learning. Dr. Acar reflects on his own formative creative experiences as both a student and educator, underscoring the lifelong value of cultivating curiosity and original thinking. Whether you’re a teacher, administrator, or researcher, this episode is packed with actionable insights and inspiring perspectives on the future of creativity in schools.

 

About the Guest

Dr. Selcuk Acar is a Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of North Texas. With over 80 peer-reviewed publications, his research focuses on how creativity can be measured, developed, and supported in educational contexts. Dr. Acar is especially interested in divergent thinking and the education of gifted and talented students. He led a significant grant-funded project that resulted in the creation of MOtS, a novel test for measuring originality in student thinking. Throughout his career, Dr. Acar has collaborated closely with educators and fellow scholars, earning numerous awards for his contributions to the field. His passion lies in helping teachers recognize and foster creativity in every learner.

 

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