Creative Approaches in the Curriculum- The Leonardo Effect

Leonardo Effect teaching methodology is a hybrid of science and art formulation. Produced to engage both pupils and teachers, it aims to create children who have an awareness of their creative senses and are engaged in their own learning process. Teachers who find the curriculum too rigid and suffocating can produce a more flexible, creative and rejuvenated teaching structure. This type of pedagogy has been proven to be particularly beneficial in primary school settings. Children are said to be more self motivated, confident and curious.   Many aspects of the Leonardo Effect echo concepts of philosopher John Dewey's ideas that children learn best through experience, and actually doing things for themselves. 

 The Leonardo Effect is split into various stages:

Stage 1: Capturing Imaginations
It is important to draw upon children's experiences, within a context most relevant and interesting to pupils. This is particularity significant, as if a child is learning about something which is completely out of reach to themselves, and the experience they have of it, are they likely to be interested in it?
          This stage also encourages the use of pupils creating questions themselves, therefore, demonstrating their engagement in the topic.It also embodies the theme of curiosity and creative ideology. By promoting acquisitiveness, learning is therefore based on discovery and exploration. 

Stage 2: Development
This stage looks at the children's abilities to explore in-depth, promoting their enquiry skills and engaging in conducting experiments. By doing this, children can actually test their hypothesis, develop confidence in their own ideas and make vital connections. Allowing children to experiment is essential, as it enables them to become fully participating in their own learning, facilitating skills, knowledge and understanding . I never had much of an opportunity to test my own ideas in school, only a few times were we allowed to conduct experiments in science, on topics the teacher told us to do. 

Stage 3: Creation
This stage is where The Leonardo Effect completely exceeds the mainstream curriculum. Teachers encourage pupils to do something with the skills and knowledge they have. Pupils are taught to fulfil their ideas in a creative, inspiring environment. Thus, not only are learners providing their ideas and experimenting with them, they are also applying them in a stimulating way. This is the true way how creativity should be embedded in the curriculum, empowering students and infusing confidence. 

Stage 4: Reflection and Communication 
The final part of this creative jigsaw, is self-critique and wider interaction. Pupils evaluate their product, see what worked well and what didn't. This in my opinion, is vital in schools. Pupils need self-motivation which stems from looking at their own work, seeing where they perform best, looking at where they went wrong and most importantly, seeing how they can improve. 
        Through broad-casting their idea, students can feel proud of what they have created. A completely creative innovation comes to life when it is shared with others. 

(theleonardoeffect.com) 

My own Leonardo Effect experiment...

We were given a scenario and told where and why the bridge should be built, and we were left to create it! Choosing which type of bridge would be suitable for the location, a company name, a pitch to the council for permission, materials and a company names were difficult decisions to make when you have little knowledge on bridges! However, a bit of team work and imagination went a long way! We then had to share our product with the group, after building a creative masterpiece! 

References 
The Leonardo Effect.(2011).  [Online]. [Accessed 3 April 2014]. Available from http://www.leonardoeffect.com/