As we begin our CPL programme again in 2016-17, it’s worth reflecting on our professional creativity. Our programme has tried to structure itself on the thinking of Steven Johnson – notably his thoughts on making sufficient time and space for ideas to emerge. Like Johnson, Brian Eno has also written extensively about creativity.
Eno pictures two approaches to practice – the cowboy and the farmer. A farmer grows what they already have, refining and perfecting their craft; whilst the cowboy seeks out new emerging practice, always looking for new frontiers. We hope our CPL caters for both mindsets.
Reducing an inequality of readiness, as Eno puts it, is fundamental to our CPL. Ensuring we design and continue to redesign an approach to professional learning that allows us to take advantage of emerging ideas, thoughts and practice – to be professionally proactive in all we do.
Imperfect practice is also something we strive for. Making something happen will not always have a pretty ending. Our CPL is also a space to develop distortion of practice, trial and error.
Check out Brian Eno’s short video below. Let us know your thoughts by commenting below.
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There has been a lot of study and ideas about the role of the cowboy and the farmer in Film Studies in relation to the mythology that Westerns carry about the foundations of American society, and why the genre continues to be made 120 years since the invention of film. Amongst the ideas are that cowboys represent unhindered lawlessness, free to roam and create their world as they see fit, . Farmers come along and erect fences, bring stability and law – they signify the coming of civilisation.
I’m also interested in Eno’s ideas about deviating from perfection and how that fits with current education policy and practice.
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