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Creative and Computational Thinking in the Context of New Literacies: Working with Teachers to Scaffold Complex Technology-Mediated Approaches to Teaching and Learning

, Central Michigan University, United States ; , Michigan State University, United States

Journal of Technology and Teacher Education Volume 23, Number 3, ISSN 1059-7069 Publisher: Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education, Waynesville, NC USA

Record type: ARTICLE

Abstract

For too long, creativity in schools has been almost solely associated with art, music, and writing classes. Now, creative thinking skills are increasingly emphasized across the disciplines. At the same time, technological progress has brought about calls for the integration of new literacies and computational thinking to prepare students as problem solvers and critical thinkers. However, in teaching and learning, all three perspectives most often manifest in isolation. We believe this is to the detriment of both educators and students alike.

In this paper, we develop an argument for the use of new literacies and computational thinking to promote creative thinking. First, we explore the various elements that comprise computational thinking, while demonstrating their overlap with the theoretical constructs of creative thinking. Second, we identify the design decisions that guided our plan for integrating all three perspectives in a sequence of educational technology courses designed for in-service teachers. Finally, we provide examples of the classroom activities that best facilitated creative thinking, and address how we achieved them.

Citation

DeSchryver, M.D. & Yadav, A. (2015). Creative and Computational Thinking in the Context of New Literacies: Working with Teachers to Scaffold Complex Technology-Mediated Approaches to Teaching and Learning. Journal of Technology and Teacher Education, 23(3), 411-431. Waynesville, NC USA: Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education. Retrieved March 28, 2024 from .

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