Faculty of Education - Theses

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The role of creativity in the education of underachieving secondary students: a study of the theoretical bases and practical applications of creativity to motivate underachieving students to learn

Lane, Rosalinde Suzanne ( 1994)

Underachievement is a difficult and imprecise concept to measure and complex reasons and experiences trigger disengagement from the process of schooling. Those students that do not gain the opportunity to develop a feeling of success and achievement ultimately become alienated, and thus fail to realise their potential. Success in schooling comes when students are engaged in the learning process, and stimulated in ways that allow them to gain a sense of achievement and self worth. A critical but creative examination of existing school resources can result in student turn-around and generally improve both the learning environment for the student and the working environment for the teacher. The study found that the participants desired changes to the school with adjustments to both the organisation and the basic aims of the staff. This places a responsibility on curriculum planners to be aware of the possibilities which could be generated by more innovative programing and a closer liaison with the creative arts and special needs personnel. Ideal practice would be for all students to have the opportunity to think and be creative across the whole curriculum and that those teachers involved in creative programing can sustain the effort over time.