(Cover image by stokpic from Pixabay)

Ideas related to creativity pop up throughout this blog: we discuss how retrieval practice and spacing can actually increase creativity; how creative problem solving can benefit from sleep, and how to develop creative critical thinking skills. We published the previous digest on creativity over a year ago, and here we present the latest writing on this important topic.

1) The secret to creativity – according to science by Valerie van Mulukom @herebehumans

Dr. Mulukom covers 3 different types of creativity in this piece: creative imagination, fantastical imagination, and episodic imagination. She also gives brief tips on how to enhance each of these types of creativity, as well as common pitfalls to avoid.

2) A New Theory Linking Sleep and Creativity by Ed Yong @edyong209

The idea that sleep enhances creativity is over 100 years old. This article brings us up to date with the latest theory on how exactly sleep enhances creativity. Spoiler alert: it's to do with memory.

3) The Science Behind the Perfect Nap to Boost Your Productivity and Creativity by Mayo Oshin @mayowaoshin

We know that sleep is important for creativity, but what's the best way to sleep? Getting enough sleep at night, or napping throughout the day? It turns out the answer might be both. Naps can boost creativity and also learning, but shouldn't be a replacement for a good night's sleep.

4) Creativity, the brain, and society by Elkhonon Goldberg

This post from the Oxford University Press blog gives an overview of how far we've come in our understanding of creativity since abandoning the left / right brain myth, and ends with an intriguing proposition that creative Artificial Intelligence is on the horizon.

5) Machines can be creative, too by Sarah Kaplan @sarahkaplan48

This brief article delves deeper into the idea that Artificial Intelligence can be creative, and gives concrete examples of machines thinking outside of their own boxes.

Every Sunday, we pick a theme and provide a curated list of links. If you have a theme suggestion, please don’t hesitate to contact us! Occasionally we publish a guest digest, and If you'd like to propose a guest digest click here. Our 5 most recent digests can be found here:

Weekly Digest #105: Summer Reading Programs

Weekly Digest #106: Learning to Manage Your Own Finances

Weekly Digest #107: Spiral Review

Weekly Digest #108: What Can We Learn From High-Performing Education Systems?

Weekly Digest #109: Burnout