Teachers’ perspectives on creative learning methods in STEM subjects in primary education

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b2x1bW46bnRoLW9mLXR5cGUoMW4rMSkgeyBncmlkLWNvbHVtbjogMSB9ICN0YmNzcyAud3AtYmxvY2stdG9vbHNldC1ibG9ja3MtZ3JpZC1jb2x1bW4udGItZ3JpZC1jb2x1bW5bZGF0YS10b29sc2V0LWJsb2Nrcy1ncmlkLWNvbHVtbj0iMzAzNGZiZTg4NmMxMTA1NGU5NWI0NmIwOWQzZTQxMTIiXSB7IGRpc3BsYXk6IGZsZXg7IH0gLnRiLWNvbnRhaW5lciAudGItY29udGFpbmVyLWlubmVye3dpZHRoOjEwMCU7bWFyZ2luOjAgYXV0b30udGItY29udGFpbmVyIC50Yi1jb250YWluZXItaW5uZXJ7d2lkdGg6MTAwJTttYXJnaW46MCBhdXRvfSB9IA==

Kate Dawson

Abstract

This project investigates the perspective of primary school teachers on creative learning and the use of creative learning methods in STEM subjects. Although there is a wide range of existing literature on creativity in education, and the recognition of the importance of creativity as integral to children’s education, there are still differing opinions on the contribution of creative learning and mixed definitions of what ‘creative learning’ means. This project aims to provides greater depth into the understanding of creativity, the teacher’s role in creative learning and the use of creative learning methods in the classroom. This study draws on the perspectives of 14 schoolteachers with differing levels of experience of creative learning in one primary school. The teachers were from both Key Stage 1 (KS1) and Key Stage 2 (KS2) and were involved in teaching STEM subjects. The methods were an online questionnaire which included both quantitative and qualitative data that are represented through tables, charts and a word cloud. The key findings of this study revealed that the use of creativity in STEM subjects is still viewed as an essential way for children to learn, particularly in terms of improving performance. However, there is complexity which faces teachers when attempting to deliver creative learning such as the need for resources, space on the curriculum and meeting individual children’s needs. It highlights that creative learning methods cannot always be carried out by teachers, regardless of their desire to do so. This small study provides an opportunity for more research to be carried out in this field.

Dawson, K. (2024) Teachers’ perspectives on creative learning methods in STEM subjects in primary education. Transformations, [online] Vol. 5(1). Available at: https://educationstudies.org.uk/?p=25331 [Accessed 28 Apr, 2024].

Published under Creative Commons Attribution, Non Commercial Licence https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/

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