Maria Berseneva shares her journey completing the 60-credit module, ‘Preparing for Educational Inquiry Portfolio,’ and creating her podcast series, Just One Little Creative Thing.
Hi, my name is Maria Berseneva, and I am thrilled to be graduating in just a few weeks with distinction from the MA in Educational Futures programme. This year-long journey has culminated in a project that Iām immensely proud of: my portfolio featuring a podcast series titled “Just One Little Creative Thing.”
When I embarked on this academic adventure, my primary goal was to deepen my expertise in 21st-century skills, with a specific focus on creative thinking (CT).
My teaching experience of over a decade in diverse educational environments revealed a persistent gap in fostering creativity among studentsāa challenge highlighted by Sir Ken Robinson in his seminal talk, “Do Schools Kill Creativity?” (2009).
Initially, I was torn between two ambitious ideas: designing a school concept grounded in best educational practices or creating a practical guide for school leaders to enhance creativity in their systems. However, my belief in the transformative power of small, deliberate actions led me down an unexpected but rewarding path: podcasting.
Inspired by BBC Radio 4ās “Just One Thing” by Michael Mosley, my podcast series “Just One Little Creative Thing”seeks to bridge the gap between theory and practice in nurturing creativity in classrooms. Drawing on frameworks like the Creativity Wheel (Rooty Hill High School) and the TALLIS Habits Pedagogy Wheel (Lucas & Spencer, 2017), Iāve created a resource designed for educators looking to integrate creative thinking into their teaching. This project also incorporates insights from cutting-edge research such as the Durham Commission Report (2019) and the OECD Learning Framework 2030 (OECD, 2018), making it both evidence-based and practical.
The journey of creating this podcast was as transformative for me as I hope it will be for its audience. What began as a series of blog posts evolved into an interactive and dynamic format, featuring short video samples and episodes addressing key questions about creativity in secondary education. This pivot was inspired by the āWhat ifā philosophy of creativity (Craft, 2001), which I encountered during the module Creativity in Education: Valuing, Facilitating, and Assessing It. I embraced podcasting as a medium because it aligns with the growing demand for accessible, engaging digital content (GilPress, 2024; Connell, 2024; Ofcom, 2023). Moreover, podcasting enabled me to use my skills in media productionāediting, voiceovers, and filmingāskills I honed during the Technology and Education Futures module.
The heart of this project lies in its conversations. I had the privilege of interviewing distinguished professors such as Jonathan Doney, Kerry Chappell, and Caitlin Kight, who shared their unique professional journeys and creative insights. These episodes were uploaded to platforms like YouTube, SoundCloud, and Apple Podcasts, with an initial private release under my “Just One Little Creative Thing” brand. Each interview was a treasure trove of ideas, offering educators practical strategies to inspire creativity in their classrooms.
Throughout the production process, I prioritized ethical considerations, ensuring all participants provided consent and were comfortable with the content being shared. By making the podcasts accessible, I aim to spark a movement among educatorsāa ripple effect of creativity that transforms teaching and learning.
My final artefact reflects not only my academic growth but also my personal commitment to fostering creativity in education. Through “Just One Little Creative Thing,” I hope to inspire educators to take small, meaningful steps toward a more creative future. As I prepare to graduate, I look forward to further developing this project and continuing to champion the importance of creative thinking in schools.
To view and listen to the podcasts, see:
For further information on the ‘Preparing for Educational Inquiry Portfolio’: