Creativity and Technology

In today’s generation, technology now plays a big part in society. It is now taking over our personal life, working life, education and life in general. Technology can be ranging from mobile phones, tablets, game consoles, shopping barcode scanners and many more. In the world of education, no matter what level of education you are at, no matter how young or old you are, technology is rapidly increasing in the classrooms. Research has shown that technology can have an effect on behaviour and there are worries that it may take away children’s ability to be creative. However, Avril Loveless, who is a Professor of Education, believes that ICT is a new way of being creative.

'The future starts now', derived from www.youtube.com

This is a video clip I have found explaining the evolution of technology and the impacts of technology have.

The core of my commitment to a view of ICT capability as an issue of learning and teaching rather than an issue of technology is unchanged. My understanding of the social and cultural impact of ICT on teaching as a creative, expressive activity has grown during the years and I have been able to develop my ideas through many discussions, presentations and publications in the education communication.

(Loveless, 2003. p.9)

Giving her own personal opinion, Loveless concentrated on the capability of ICT in learning, and believed from her own personal experience that she had found it easier to teach with technology as it was easier to organise her lessons by using presentations and expressively expand on her discussions creatively. Loveless has made it clear that not all students will take a liking to the technological approach; the reaction of the students can vary from exciting and enthusiastic to loathing.

(Loveless, 2003. p.10) also stated that:

..an understanding of the rationale for using ICT to support learning and teaching as well as practical and technical abilities – that creates the challenge for the developing children’s ICT capability. This capability is far more than being able to apply a variety of skills.

In the quote stated above, Loveless is saying that using ICT beocmes a great opportunity because the children are eager to learn how to use the it and want to build on their basic skills. This enthusiasm links to the subjects they are using the ICT in. This helps heighten the children’s expertise in technology and their creativity because the children naturally adapt to it and start to problem solve, building on their existing knowledge. This enhances children's levels of engagement with the curriculum.

The advantages of having technology in Education are:-

•  The teachers have access to images that they can potentially use for teaching which can improve children’s retentive memory, making the lessons more visual.

• The teachers will have the ability to make the lessons more interactive which will result in enjoyable lessons and very engaging which will benefit children’s learning. This is also beneficial for both teachers and children as they are both actively engaged in the lesson.

• The teachers will find it easier to explain the aims and objectives of the lesson, and make sure that the children understands.

The disadvantages of having technology in Education are:-

• Technologies are very expensive to afford, especially for state schools that have t0 keep a budget to run the school.

• Setting up the devices can be very slow and troublesome due to bus network as others are also using the computers. This can disrupt the lesson.
• Some teachers may lack ICT skills and experience can find it difficult to teach using the tools.

I volunteered at a comprehensive school earlier on this year and was allocated to the hearing impaired and speech & language department. I worked with a pupil who had meningitis which had affected her mentality, hearing, and speech. We made a very small story presentation using the iPad using the Book Creater app based on Aladdin as she had been to see the show. She had included one sentence on each slide along with a recording of her voice as if she was narrating this story. She has a very low attention span but in the process of creating this story she was very focused and was enthusiastic about getting the work done. Once she was done, her confidence progressed even more as she wanted to present it to the class which was an achievement for her. This positive outcome was as a direct result of her use and engagement with ICT.

Short story created by the student. (Note, the format of file was not supported and was converted to video. Unfortunately the recording of voice did not work.)

References

Elmo Global, n.d. What is ICT in Education. [Online]
Available at: http://www.elmoglobal.com/en/html/ict/01.aspx
[Accessed 4.7.2015].

Loveless, A., 2003. The Role of ICT. London: Continuum.

Loveless, A. & Ellis, V., 2001. ICT, Pedagogy, and the Curriculum. London: RoutledgeFalmer.