Publication Date

2005

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Robinson, Rhonda S.

Degree Name

Ed.D. (Doctor of Education)

Legacy Department

Department of Educational Technology, Research and Assessment

LCSH

Creative ability--Public opinion

Abstract

Educators face new challenges today. Swiftly advancing technology, globalization, and the individual's ready access to boundless amounts of information are changing the old way of doing things. Creativity can help prepare students for a life with these new challenges. Apparel design teachers and students were participants in this qualitative investigation into creativity. Interview and focus group techniques yielded data on teachers' and students' attitudes, perceptions, awareness, and fundamental knowledge of creativity. Data revealed that teachers and students had different perspectives concerning creativity. Teachers defined creativity in cognitive terms, most often as problem-solving. Students defined creativity in affective terms and they were emotionally attached to their products. Most participants had one-dimensional views of creativity and they were generally not aware of the complexities of the researched creativity construct. The teachers agree that creativity can be taught in the classroom, but many students contend that teaching creativity will cause a loss of their personal voice in favor of standardized formats and institutionalized concepts of creativity. The data allow for an understanding of a particular group of teachers' and students' perspectives on creativity. Findings highlight the complexities inherent in the construct and possibilities for misunderstandings in the classroom.

Comments

Includes bibliographical references (pages [140]-147).

Extent

vii, 159 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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