This interactive session aims to address the importance of communicative activities in promoting creative thinking in the classroom and beyond with an understanding that these two are profoundly intertwined. In essence, creative thinking and communication skills are symbolic - they support one another to achieve maximum influence. While creative thinking produces ideas, communication skills enable individuals to share and cultivate those ideas efficiently, hence transforming creativity into tangible outcomes and promoting meaningful connections with others. A cognitive neuroscientist, Roger Beaty (2016 & 2021), offers insights into the mechanisms highlighting that brain activation patterns differ depending on communicative actions. Beaty's work signifies a growing understanding among neuroscientists of how the brain supports creative thinking, paving the way for potential breakthroughs in enhancing creative abilities. Thus, in our session a connection will be made between current research findings and the need for the implementation of a variety of communicative activities such as role plays, discussions, drama, collaborative projects, creative writing activities and others. Overall, this workshop will share the various ways in which we, a team of instructors, help undergraduate students of a private Armenian university enhance their communication skills through the application of creative thinking. In the spirit of the workshop, attendees will be provided with a brief overview and demonstration of the tools referenced above and will have an opportunity to participate in group activities, design their own, and share opinions by suggesting how the addressed activities would promote creative thinking and problem-solving skills among learners.

Authors:
Syuzanna Torosyan, American University of Armenia, Armenia
Rubina Gasparyan, American University of Armenia, Armenia

About the Presenter(s)
Syuzanna Torosyan is currently a lecturer in BA in English and Communications program, at the American University of Armenia. She has a strong background in methodology, applied linguistics and research methods.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Thursday Schedule

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