Using Technology to Foster Creative and Critical Thinking in the Classroom

Abstract

Enhancing and nurturing creative and critical thinking skills are important goals for 21st century learning yet high stakes assessment and standardized curriculum leave little room for realizing these goals in 21st century classrooms. Used appropriately, technology help teachers create personalized learning environments and attend to the type of motivation and engagement that nurtures creative and critical thinking skills. This chapter explores conceptions of creativity, draws on theories of motivation to identify optimal conditions for nurturing creativity and suggests technology supported strategies for creating those conditions.