Creativity

The value of creativity emphasizes the unprecedented blurring of the distinction between consumer and producer in new media. Creativity is not limited to the arts or media, but is the basis of innovation in any domain. Creative processes may vary across disciplines, but tend to share four essential characteristics. “First, they always involve thinking or behaving imaginatively. Second, overall this imaginative activity is purposeful: that is, it is directed to achieving an objective. Third, these processes must generate something original. Fourth, the outcome must be of value in relation to the objective” (National Advisory Committee on Creative and Cultural Education, 1999: p30). Creativity involves new media literacies such as experimenting with one’s surroundings to solve problems (play), constructing dynamic models of real-world processes (simulation), and sampling and remixing media content (appropriation).

Creative students

  • Synthesize ideas from a variety of media and sources
  • Generate and elaborate on new ideas from novel perspectives
  • Seek out new tools and techniques and use them in unexpected ways to achieve individual and shared objectives
  • Routinely engage in imaginative and innovative activities

Reflection Questions

  • How many different kinds of media do I read, listen to, or watch each day?
  • How carefully do I listen to people who have different opinions than I have?
  • How often do I try new or different genres of music, movies, or video games?
  • Do I try to think of new ideas or do I wait for others to have an idea?
  • When I have an idea, do I keep thinking about it to make it better?
  • How often do I experiment with a new technologies or tools?
  • Do I explore the menus of software applications or just use the features I already know about?