Many mathematics teachers have encountered situations in which a student, who has not been recognized as particularly creative, talented, or even interested in mathematics based on their usual learning behaviours, demonstrates a moment of brilliance by solving a challenging problem or making an unexpectedly deep observation. In our earlier research (Palatnik & Koichu, 2019), such a one-time manifestation of mathematical creativity, emerging against a backdrop of generally non-creative behaviour, has been termed a flash of creativity. In my talk, I illustrate flashes of creativity using data from several case studies and then analyze these examples from two theoretical perspectives: the 4P framework of creativity (Product, Person, Process, and Press) (Rhodes, 1961) and the S&C (Shifts and Choices) perspective on problem solving (Koichu, 2018). I conclude by arguing that the systematic study of flashes of creativity is a promising research endeavor with the potential to enhance our understanding of how to nurture creativity and talent in mathematics.

References

Koichu, B. (2018). Mathematical problem solving in choice-affluent environments. In Kaiser, G., Forgasz, H, Graven, M., Kuzniak, A., Simmt, E. & Xu, B. (Eds.), Invited Lectures from the 13th International Congress on Mathematics Education (pp. 307-324). Springer.

Palatnik, A., & Koichu, B. (2019). Flashes of creativity. For the Learning of Mathematics, 39(2), 8-12.

Rhodes, M. (1961). An analysis of creativity. The Phi Delta Kappan, 42(7), 305-310.

Bio

Boris Koichu is a Professor of Mathematics Education at the Department of Science Teaching of the Weizmann Institute of Science. His research interests are in mathematical problem solving and problem posing, from middle school to university. He also investigates implementation and implementability of mathematics education research via long-term teacher-researcher co-learning partnerships. Koichu is a founding editor of Implementation and Replication Studies in Mathematics Education and an associate editor of the Journal of Mathematical Behavior. Koichu is an author of more than 140 peer-reviewed chapters and articles (about 70 in peer-reviewed journals), an author of a book (with Springer), and an editor of two international volumes (with Brill and Springer). In addition, he served as a guest editor of two recent special issues: one in ZDM – Mathematics Education devoted to implementation and implementability of mathematics education research, and another in Journal of Mathematical Behavior devoted to variables in research on mathematical problem posing.