ABSTRACT
Real-life problems are usually ill-defined without known solutions and known pathways to the solution. Another feature of real-life problems is limited resources available to cope with unlimited demand. In other words, constraints (often known as limitations, restrictions) are a feature of large world problems and reality. Fulfilling the unlimited demand for new products using limited resources available (e.g. time, social, material resources) and working within restrictions requires creativity. This chapter explores creativity with reference to constraints. Several questions are addressed: What is a constraint? What does a constraint do? What can we do to constraints? What are the various types of constraints? The implications for language teaching and learning are also considered.
