Computers vs creativity

For many years the simple cry from teachers when asked about the use and purpose for computers in the classroom was that we did not have enough. However, in most classrooms there is enough and they work all the time and they allow users to work on a stable network and surf the net. But, has the leap in creativity been made? Do the teachers know how to actually maximise the use of these machines for learning.

Unfortunatley I think that the answer inside most classrooms is no. We still use the computers as a reward, an incentive to work fast, and excuse for dead time and for low level research that could more easily be carried out in different platforms.

Teachers need to think more creatively when it comes to ICT. They need to start thinking more about how these computers can be maximised for learning. They need to consider how students access, process and publish information. They need to provide opportunity to allow students to experiment and be creative with the use of the computer themselves and best see how this could help learning.

I had cause to visit a very good school today. I saw computers being used - but little of what i saw was actually creative. It did not inspire. It did not challenge perception or thought. Yes, we can have all the computers in the world but we need to know how, exactly how, to use them to effectively aide teaching and learning.

This is something I intend to come back to in future weeks as I think through what are the best ways to support and encourage teachers to grasp the nettle of innovation. One thought I have is perhaps to set up a small conference/meeting for geography teachers within the local area to share ideas and learn about creativity in ICT and Thinking skills. If you have any comments - let me know!