ERIC Number: EJ1071574
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2015-Jul
Pages: 24
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1059-7069
EISSN: N/A
Fostering Creativity through Inquiry and Adventure in Informal Learning Environment Design
Doering, Aaron; Henrickson, Jeni
Journal of Technology and Teacher Education, v23 n3 p387-410 Jul 2015
Self-directed, inquiry-based learning opportunities focused on transdisciplinary real-world problem solving have been shown to foster creativity in learners. What tools might we provide classroom teachers to scaffold them and their students through this creative process? This study examines an online informal learning environment and the role the learning environment design and teacher pedagogy and practice played in influencing creativity in the classroom. Data were gathered via interviews, direct observation, and focus groups as 95 high school students guided by 1 teacher worked in small groups to collaboratively design and present geography research using the "WeExplore" adventure learning environment. Findings indicate that teacher and student creativity were impacted by the unique learning environment design, the opportunity to define self-identified driving questions, the process of collaborative group work, and the opportunity to combine more traditional research approaches with more creative arts-influenced ones.
Descriptors: Creativity, Inquiry, Independent Study, Informal Education, Interdisciplinary Approach, Problem Solving, Scaffolding (Teaching Technique), Electronic Learning, Educational Environment, Instructional Design, Geography, Geography Instruction, Experiential Learning, Adventure Education, Place Based Education, High School Students, Grade 9, Pacing, Blended Learning, Constructivism (Learning), Teamwork, Student Attitudes, Trust (Psychology), Technology Uses in Education, Interviews, Case Studies, Observation
Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education. P.O. Box 1545, Chesapeake, VA 23327. Tel: 757-366-5606; Fax: 703-997-8760; e-mail: info@aace.org; Web site: http://www.aace.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: High Schools; Secondary Education; Grade 9; Junior High Schools; Middle Schools
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A