The Bansho Way
Why Japan’s teaching technique can beat Western methods for creative thinking
Let’s start with the board.
In a Japanese classroom, using Bansho techniques, the blackboard is more than a place to copy notes or show answers. It’s the heart of the lesson. A living, breathing map of thought. This is bansho teaching.
It’s not flashy. It’s not fast. But it’s brilliant. And when it comes to building creative thinkers, it quietly crushes the Western approach.
What is bansho?
In bansho, the teacher puts a single problem or idea on the board. That’s it. No list of instructions. No breaking it down into baby steps. Just the challenge, right up front, waiting.
Students are invited to approach it together. They offer different solutions, try out ideas, ask questions. The teacher doesn’t just give the answer and move on. Instead, they collect what the students come up with, writing it all on the board in an organised, evolving layout.
Over time, the board becomes a visual record of the group’s thinking. You see how ideas connect. You see which paths worked and which didn’t. You see thinking in action.
It’s not about right or wrong. It’s about the creative process.
Western methods miss the mark
Now look at most Western creative classes, art schools, and lecture theatres. Teachers explain, students copy. There’s an answer they want you to get to, and a time limit to get there. If you don’t know something fast, someone tells you.
You’re trained to move quick. To follow steps. To keep quiet unless you’re sure.
That kills imagination.
Western schools tend to reward speed, not depth. Certainty, not exploration. It’s efficient, for sure. But it’s a poor setup for creativity.
Why bansho works for creatives
In bansho, everyone participates. You don’t have to raise your hand with the perfect answer. You just have to engage. Everyone’s thinking is visible. Everyone’s input matters.
“Over time, the board becomes a visual record of the group’s thinking. You see how ideas connect. You see which paths worked and which didn’t. You see thinking in action.”
It’s not about right or wrong. It’s about process.
Mistakes are part of the map. Dead ends are left on the board. They’re not erased or hidden. They’re seen as valuable steps in the process.
That’s how real creative thinking works. You explore. You test. You regroup. You build your own understanding, not just memorise someone else’s. You work with others to innovate.
And because students can see each other’s thinking laid out clearly, they learn how to learn from others. Not by competing for grades, but by connection.
It’s not just about maths or science
Bansho is often used in maths classes, but the approach fits anywhere. Writing. Art. Design. Engineering. You start with a strong prompt, invite deep thinking, and build understanding.
It’s collaborative, reflective, and deliberate.
Exactly what creative work requires.
Creative thinking often needs a few different voices, to get ideas flowing.
Bansho isn’t magic. It’s just smart. It slows things down. It makes room for thought. It turns the board into a space where ideas grow and shift, not just a place to write down what the teacher says.
Western methods push students to finish. Bansho invites them to think.
And in a world that’s overloaded with noise and pressure, that kind of teaching doesn’t just stand out.
It sticks.
If you feel you have a creative child who just needs steering in the right direction - have a look at the ‘Creative Futures Kit’ here on HatchEd.
This week it’s looking at branding, with an accompanying logo workshop
By the end of the workshop they will have:
• A mini brand identity that actually reflects themselves
• Confidence in design decisions like colour, type, and ‘tone of voice’.
• A folio project that can be updated as they grow
Thanks as ever, for reading.
I’ll see you back here next week, with another workshop in the kit, aimed at guiding young people with creative software and which to use. 😊
“Beyond her exceptional teaching skills, HatchEd is delivered with warmth and empathy, combined with strong organisational abilities, creating a supportive and effective learning environment. The blend of professionalism and approachability sets her apart as both a teacher and an inspiration."
Terry Cook - Designer and Educator