“Thinking outside the box” is a popular expression often used to encourage new approaches to old problems in innovative and creative ways, breaking away from conventional patterns and solutions. This same meaning can be applied to the creative thinking, a skill that is emerging in the education sector and is considered essential for students' well-rounded development.

By encouraging exploration and creative problem-solving, educational institutions are transforming their teaching approaches, fostering environments that value curiosity and freedom of expression.

Recently, a practical example of creative thinking in the classroom went viral on social media. The video shows teacher Iran Pontes, at a school in Recife (PE), handing out test scores in the form of “scratch-off tickets”—that is, students had to scratch off a layer of ink to reveal their scores.

"Every teacher needs a repertoire. It’s essential to have a set of ideas and solutions to draw on in specific situations that call for creativity and innovation," says Pontes. He points out that the idea of "scratch-off cards" isn’t new and was likely already being used by teachers in the 1990s, although back then—without the internet and social media—these practices didn’t “go viral” the way they do today.

@iranpontesm I handed out the students' grades on scratch-off tickets. #school ♬ FEEL THE GROOVE - Queens Road, Fabian Graetz

Pontes explains that her inspiration came from extensive research in which she found teachers using activities such as scratch-off cards, stamps, stickers, and memes in their feedback. “I thought: Why not bring something playful to my students, who love activities like these? Playfulness is essential for students’ cognitive development,” she explains.

He notes that, although the idea seems simple, there is a complex cognitive process involved. “My goal was to engage students more deeply in a moment of focus. Regardless of the subject—whether it’s math, history, art, or physical education—playfulness captures students’ attention and creates an environment of total engagement,” the educator points out.

Pontes shared his experience of seeing the entire class fully engaged during the playful activity. “The students were 100% involved—they smiled, cheered, got excited, and are already asking to do it again. But we have to constantly innovate, bring a fresh perspective, and redefine our practices; otherwise, it loses its appeal,” he notes.

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He acknowledges that many teachers have little time available to develop such practices, but emphasizes the importance of finding strategies to engage students. “If you can find the time to incorporate a playful element, such as a scratch-off card, that’s great! But teachers who show a video, lead an activity, or even play a five-minute podcast in class also deserve recognition. These playful, active, and creative practices make learning more enjoyable for students,” Pontes points out.

The educator also mentions the “three F’s of learning” proposed by Professor Luciano Meira. “One of these F’s is ‘Fan,’ which involves fun and playfulness. Whether through scratch-off tickets, book fairs, models, or chemistry experiments, we need to incorporate these activities more and more into our students’ learning,” adds Pontes.

5 Tips for Developing Active Practices

Professor Iran Pontes is a designer specializing in digital communication; he holds a bachelor’s degree in the arts and a master’s degree in design. Below, he has listed five tips for teachers who want to incorporate creative thinking into their classroom practices but aren’t sure how to get started.

1 - Search online for current practices within your subject area to expand your repertoire. It’s worth watching videos on TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube by other teachers who are already doing something interesting.

2 - Talk to your school administrators about the possibility of introducing new professional development programs focused on active learning practices, with content based on real-world case studies that will enrich the repertoire of the school’s teachers.

3 - Take courses on active learning methodologies. There are both online and in-person courses available, ranging from short training programs—which may be better suited to your pace—to specific graduate programs in active learning methodologies.

4 - Exchange experiences with fellow teachers, especially by observing those who are already implementing innovative practices. Ask for tips, share ideas, and attend events such as Bett Brasil, where you can learn about new technologies, content, and tools for active learning offered by companies and educational systems.

5 - Learn from ChatGPT. Using artificial intelligence tools, such as ChatGPT, in lesson planning can be a great asset, as can other generative AI tools, such as Google’s Gemini or Microsoft’s Copilot. These tools offer interesting insights, but it’s essential to apply critical thinking. It’s not just about copying and pasting; you need to evaluate and integrate these ideas with your own experience.

Would you like to learn more about this topic? Professor Iran Pontes appeared on Conexão Bett, a talk show hosted by Bett Brasil, and explains more about active classroom practices. Watch the full episode below or on major audio platforms such asSpotify,Deezer,Apple Podcasts,Amazon Music, andGoogle Podcasts, among others, as well as on theEducador21 website.

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