Adaptive educational environments as creative spaces

Authors: Loi, Daria¹; Dillon, Patrick²

Source: Cambridge Journal of Education, Volume 36, Number 3, September 2006 , pp. 363-381(19)

Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group

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Abstract:

This paper integrates theoretical perspectives and practical insights to offer a conceptualization of adaptive educational environments as creative spaces for fostering certain intellectual abilities associated with creativity, notably transference and synthesis in cross‐disciplinary situations. When educational environments are modeled as systems, mechanisms that maintain stability or lead to change in the system can be described. Educational systems in stasis may be good for promoting some kinds of learning, but not so good for promoting intellectual abilities associated with creativity. It is proposed that designed interventions may change the system so that it is more conducive to certain outcomes. Such designed interventions may involve the use of facilitating technologies and pedagogies that change situational and social dynamics. The potential of digital tools in this context is considered. Examples of designed interventions are drawn from work on `Playful Triggers' and `eccentric objects and odd experiences' and independently‐derived theoretical constructs are used to account for the creative outcomes of interventions. While outlining intentions for future research, the paper highlights some educational challenges of conceptualizing adaptive environments as creative spaces and their implications for practice.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03057640600865959

Affiliations: 1: RMIT University, Australia 2: Exeter University, UK

Publication date: 2006-09-01

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