By Prof. T. Doddegowda, Principal, Seshadripuram Pre-University College, Yelahanka, Bengaluru

“The goal of education is not to increase the amount of knowledge but to create the possibilities for a child to invent and discover, to create men who are capable of doing things”. – Jean Piaget

Creativity is one of the astounding aspects of the present educational world. Creativity is the fundamental basis of human expression, experience and learning. It plays a key role in a classroom set up these days. Learning, a specific skill does not have the value in today’s world that it once did. Now; Education is not just a transmission of factual knowledge. It demands more than the ‘Chalk and talks’ method in order to enrich both the learning and teaching processes. I believe, the curriculum of the education should be designed in such a way that the learner should be enabled with the desired skills of the industry.

Creative learning and creative teaching is a new trend in these days. It demands academics to embrace creativity in order to instill creative learning in the classroom. The curriculum should undergo a skillful development emphasizing equally on every subject’ considering ‘creativity’ to play a vital role where the students are given the freedom and time to discover their interests.

Creative learning promotes the child to cultivate interest in various fields, brings about a stimulating environment in the learning process and thus becomes an enriched experience.

Creative learning requires innovative teaching. The teachers can cultivate different ways to foster creativity among learners. They can introduce unconventional learning materials like technology; field trips; live projects and should also encourage classroom discussion which in turn builds confidence and sparks creativity among learners.

ICT in education is a new ray of hope to enhance creativity and imagination among learners. It paves way for the teacher to explore the technology which brings a difference in both learning and teaching methodologies. This enables the learner to identify and solve the problem in learning and creates an opportunity to shape career pursuits.

Creative teaching is a way out of enforced teaching setup and stereotypical teaching methods. Creative teaching and learning in collaboration with technology lead to a dynamic change in today’s education. The potential of technology for creative learning and teaching should not be ignored.

Hence it is important to enabling every classroom with technologies like
a) Computers
b) Supporting Softwares
c) Laboratories
d) Language labs etc., It is equally important to train teachers to use technology effectively in order to encourage creative teaching.

I believe that the mere introduction of technology in the classroom does not set up a complete creative atmosphere. However, it requires a skilled teacher who plays a central role in the classroom. There are other factors alongside technology that contributes to creative learning and teaching. The co-existence of several factors like individual skills, curriculum, assessment, etc., would give rise to an enabling environment whose creative learning and teaching could blossom.