EDM198-The Creative Educator

Module Provider: Institute of Education
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Ms Suzy Tutchell
Email: s.tutchell@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

In this module we explore the value of creativity in education, how it manifests and can be facilitated in different disciplines. You will interrogate your own understanding as a creative educator through practice-based approaches in the arts to develop and challenge possible educational futures in your own contexts. The module draws on research, practice and social debates around creativity, imagination and cultural integrity in education. It explores the transformational agency of creative learning and competencies across diverse and different educational models and contexts. You will develop your understanding with particular reference to key theoretical approaches and research in the creative arts with an emphasis on practical responses and policy perspectives. The module will consider the psychological significance of creativity/ies in human nature and its potentialities for health and well-being. This will include understandings of creativity in educational futures and consider what alternatives they offer within and beyond formal education. Through this module, you will explore the ways in which children and young people use their imagination in creative learning and make sense of their practical and arts rich experiences.

Aims:

• To reflect critically on the wider educational and psychological contexts of creativity and imagination which meet the needs of 21st century learners


• To compare and contrast educational approaches to creativity and imaginative learning


• To develop pedagogical techniques, theories and concepts in creative learning and teaching to facilitate interdisciplinary approaches as creative educators


• To encourage creativity via the arts and understand the variety of roles for the arts in education, how they can benefit other areas of the curriculum and how they can promote inclusion

Assessable learning outcomes:

• Demonstrate a critical rationale for adopting and/or a critique of a particular position towards a creative educational provision, such as policy, curriculum, assessment, teaching approaches;


• Draw reflectively and critically upon their own educational experience and literature about the nature of creativity in education and educational provision;


• Compare and contrast critically being a creative educator in and from different contexts;


• To critically reflect upon the theoretical models and exemplar creative practices in educational contexts.

Additional outcomes:

This module provides you with the opportunity to develop new perspectives on your own practice, educational research and the transformative potential of creativity. During this module, you will look at the role and value of the arts in educational contexts and make meaningful links across all subjects relevant to your practice and field. You will also consider the significance of creative arts and education to health and well-being. You will develop skills of independent and collaborative study, summarising and discussing key ideas and thinking to peers. The modules aims to encourage students to develop communication and presentation skills and to become independent in their thinking and analysis.

Outline content:

• Creativity as a context for learning across disciplines


• Appreciative enquiry for research and pedagogical change


• Reviewing and challenging existing practices in education


• Reigniting a creative curriculum


• Creative and cross-curricular approaches in wider educational and community contexts


• Creative arts as a basis for basic human need


• Creative and cultural education beyond the classroom


• Global and international approaches to creative learning and teaching


• Thinking skills and creativity in the internet age, educational technology and communication

Global context:

This module will enable students to compare and contrast their respective country education systems and approaches and examples of good and innovative practice are drawn from international contexts.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The taught sessions will include lectures, group discussions and guided independent study. There will be a combination of practical workshops, interactive seminars, focussed group tasks and field-work. Each week, there will be a relevant piece of research which students will discuss. On this module you will also engage with high profile local arts education providers, visit cultural and educational places of interest and benefit from the varied expertise and experience of our academics.