Overview

This project investigates the impact of digitisation on the nature of young children’s creativity and connected learning experiences. Working with teachers in schools, early years centres, play groups and families at home, this multi-site case study research will identify the digital elements in children’s learning environments, nature of their digital play, teacher pedagogies and parental engagement, with a focus on ethical conduct across all case studies. The impact of digitisation on children’s creativity will be explored across the following dimensions:

• Product: original and fit for purpose
• Person: perspectives on who does the creative thinking
• Place: elements of an enabling environment
• Process: characteristics of children’s creative thinking

Project aims

• generate rich and detailed evidence to support recommendations for early years. pedagogies of learning, elements of digital environments enabling creativity
• create principles of practice and resources for teachers and parents supporting children’s digital experiences

Project design

Stage one (Formal early childhood learning context – school, early childhood centre or play group):

• map formal learning environment (document audit and embedded digital technologies)
• video record children’s use of digital technologies in the formal learning context
• semi-structured interview with educators

Stage two (Home):

• map home environment and location of embedded digital technologies
• qualtrics survey with parents
• video children’s self-chosen digital play
• video children’s play with a provided coding device/toy and or digital STEM activity

Partner/s

Scitech

Timeframe

July 2021 – December 2025

Contact

Professor Karen Murcia

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