Pedagogy in creative disciplines: considerations for learning space design

Abstract

The importance of creativity as an attribute of the 21st Century learner is now widely acknowledged and a global trend across all disciplines. To meet both current and future needs of both students and society a university education must develop and support creativity in learners. This paper was developed to outline the range of creative disciplines, the diversity and interconnectedness of the disciplines, and how this is reflected in the needs for appropriate pedagogical models and consequently spaces for learning, both formal and informal.

A number of pedagogical models focussed on supporting and encouraging creativity are currently in practice. However, new models are emerging as creative disciplines are becoming augmented with new and innovative technologies, including biotechnologies, and the vast possibilities of contemporary creative media. This paper addresses the Creative Disciplines of Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Design Arts, Media Arts, Literary Arts and Hybrid Arts and explains the need for Creative Curricula. Creative disciplines are diverse yet interconnected and whilst individually unique, they are essentially interdisciplinary and linked to needs of cultural and social contexts and professional practice.

Engaging students in creative disciplines is linked to the learners through the affective dimensions of the curriculum and motivational factors, and involves experiential learning situated in authentic learning contexts. Design considerations for spaces for learning for creative disciplines must focus beyond contemporary requirement and allow for future expansion or rearrangement depending on needs and areas of development.