Abstract
When undertaking design and technology activities, children are provided with opportunities to create solutions to problems in new and innovative ways. The mental processes involved in the generation of new ideas may be enhanced when children’s attention is not focussed and is allowed to wander in a relaxed and uncompetitive environment. Research indicates that the two mental states, generative and non-generative, cannot exist simultaneously. This paper reports on a research project which investigated the impact on children’s thinking when a period of non-focussed thinking became part of the technology process. The results support the previous proposition that a child’s non-generative/analytical mental state needs to give way to a generative state so that a child can be more fully creative. Moreover, from this study that documented children’s ideas during their involvement in a design and technology activity, teachers are urged to provide an incubation period as part of the technological process in the classroom, so that children’s creativity can be fostered.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Explore related subjects
Discover the latest articles, news and stories from top researchers in related subjects.References
M. Barak N. Goffer (2002) ArticleTitle‘Fostering Systematic Innovative Thinking and Problem Solving: Lessons Education can Learn from Industry’ International Journal of Technology and Design Education 12 IssueID3 227–247 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1020259623483
S. Black (2005) ArticleTitle‘Teaching Students to Think Critically’ Education Digest 70 IssueID6 42–27
S. P. Besemer D. J. Treffinger (1981) ArticleTitle‘Analysis of Creative Products: Review and Synthesis’ Journal of Creative Behaviour 15 159–178
InstitutionalAuthorNameBoard of Studies (2000) Curriculum and Standards Framework – Technology II Board of Studies Carlton
J. G. Brooks (2004) ArticleTitle‘To See Beyond the Lesson’ Educational Leadership 62 IssueID1 8–12
Campbell, C.: 2004, ‘The Interweaving of Technology Education into a Thematic Environmental Program’, Proceedings of the 3rd Biennial International Conference on Technology Education Research, Vol. 1, pp. 104–112, Centre for Learning Research Griffith University, Surfers Paradise, Australia, 9–11 December, 2004.
C. Chin L. Chia (2004) ArticleTitle‘Problem-based Learning: Using Students’ Questions to Drive Knowledge’ Science Education 88 IssueID5 707–727 Occurrence Handle10.1002/sce.10144
K. W. Christensen L. Martin (1992) ArticleTitle‘Teaching Creative Problem Solving’ The Technology Teacher 52 IssueID3 9–11
J. C. Cropley (2001) Creativity in Education and Learning Kogan Page London
D. H. Cropley A. J. Cropley (2000) ArticleTitle‘Fostering Creativity in Engineering Undergraduates’ High Ability Studies 11 IssueID2 207–219 Occurrence Handle10.1080/13598130020001223
A. J. Cropley K. K. Urban (2000) Programs and Strategies for Nurturing Creativity K. A. Heller F. J. Monks R. J. Sternberg R. F. Subotnik (Eds) International Handbook of Giftedness and Talent EditionNumber2 Elsevier Oxford, UK 485–498
H. G. Denton P. J. Williams (1996) ArticleTitle‘Efficient and Effective Design: The Purpose of Sketching and Drawing’ The Technology Teacher 55 IssueID6 15–17
L. Elder (2004) ArticleTitle‘Diversity: Making Sense of it Through Critical Thinking’ Journal of Quality and Participation 27 IssueID4 9–13
S. Eliaz (2004) ArticleTitle‘Incubation in Insight Problem Solving’ Creativity Research Journal 16 IssueID1 141–149 Occurrence Handle10.1207/s15326934crj1601_13
J. F. Feldhusen (1995) ArticleTitle‘Creativity: A Knowledge Base, Metacognitive Skills, and Personality Factors’ Journal of Creative Behaviour 29 255–268
B. W. Field (1997) Introduction to Design Processes EditionNumber2 Monash University Print Services Caulfield East
M. Fleer B. Jane (2004) Technology for Children: A Research Based Approach EditionNumber2 Frenchs Forest Pearson Education Australia
A. M. Hill (1998) ArticleTitle‘Problem Solving in Real-Life Contexts: An Alternative for Design in Technology Education’ International Journal of Technology and Design Education 8 IssueID3 203–220 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1008854926028
P. A. Howard-Jones (2002) ArticleTitle‘A Dual-State Model of Creative Cognition for Supporting Strategies that Foster Creativity in the Classroom’ International Journal of Technology and Design Education 12 IssueID3 215–226 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1020243429353
InstitutionalAuthorNameInternational Technology Education Association (2000) Standards for Technological Literacy: Content for the Study of Technology ITEA Reston, VA
B. Jane J. Robbins (2004) Blockplay as a Potential for Learning for Innovation in Technology Education in Early Childhood Classrooms NumberInSeries2 Centre for Learning Research Griffith University Gold Coast 60–67
A. Jones (1997) ArticleTitle‘Recent Research in Learning Technological Concepts and Processes’ International Journal of Technology and Design Education 7 IssueID1–2 83–96 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1008813120391
R. Kimbell K. Stables R. Green (1996) Understanding Practice in Design and Technology Open University Press Buckingham
D. R. Krathwohl (2002) ArticleTitle‘A Revision of Bloom’s Taxonomy: An Overview’ Theory into Practice 41 IssueID4 212–218 Occurrence Handle10.1207/s15430421tip4104_2
B. Mawson (2003) ArticleTitle‘Beyond ‘the Design Process’: An Alternative Pedagogy for Technology Education’ International Journal of Technology and Design Education, 13 IssueID2 117–128 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1024186814591
J. L. Meece P. Herman B. L. McCombs (2003) ArticleTitle‘Relations of Learner-Centred Teaching Practices to Adolescents’ Achievement Goals’ International Journal of Educational Research 39 IssueID4–5 457–475 Occurrence Handle10.1016/j.ijer.2004.06.009
H. Middleton (2005) ArticleTitle‘Creative Thinking, Values and Design Technology Education’ International Journal of Technology and Design Education 15 IssueID1 61–71 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s10798-004-6199-y
S. Raiziene B. Grigaite (2005) ArticleTitle‘Developing Child’s Thinking Skills by Semantic Mapping Strategies’ TRAMES: A Journal of the Humanities & Social Sciences 9 IssueID2 192–206
L. J. Rennie T. Jarvis (1995) ArticleTitle‘English and Australian Children’s Perceptions about Technology’ Research in Science and Technological Education 13 IssueID1 37–52
S. M. Smith S. E. Blakenship (1991) ArticleTitle‘Incubation and the Persistence of Fixation in Problem Solving’ American Journal of Psychology 104 61–87 Occurrence Handle10.2307/1422851
T. Gelder ParticleVan (2005) ArticleTitle‘Teaching Critical Thinking’ College Teacher 53 IssueID1 41–46
InstitutionalAuthorNameVictorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (2004) Victorian Essential Learning Standards VCAA East Melbourne
Webster, A.: 2004, ‘Teacher and Peer Assessment of Creativity in Technology Education’, Proceedings of the 3rd Biennial International Conference on Technology Education Research, Vol. 3, pp. 178–186, Centre for Learning Research Griffith University, Surfers Paradise, Australia, 9–11 December, 2004.
R. W. Weisberg (1988) Problem Solving and Creativity R. J. Sternberg (Eds) The Nature of Creativity Cambridge University Press Cambridge
P. J. Williams (2000) ArticleTitle‘Design: The Only Methodology of Technology?’ Journal of Technology Education 11 IssueID2 48–60
V. Wilson M. Harris (2003) ArticleTitle‘Designing the Best: A Review of Effective Teaching and Learning of Design and Technology’ International Journal of Technology and Design Education 13 IssueID3 223–241 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1026133808945
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Webster, A., Campbell, C. & Jane, B. ‘Enhancing the Creative Process for Learning in Primary Technology Education’. Int J Technol Des Educ 16, 221–235 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10798-005-5633-0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10798-005-5633-0