The traditional education system has long been criticised for curbing a student’s natural creative ability. What do we mean by creativity? Creativity is an active process and requires skill as well as a specific understanding of the context. It develops critical thinking, collaboration, problem-solving, imagination, communication, agility, and empathy in us, all vital traits to survive and succeed. The traditional education system has long been criticized for not producing these results and even curbing our natural ability to be creative. Enter Technology Enhanced Learning.

The usage of technology in education has been practiced for some time but the pandemic has accelerated its growth multi fold. Technology has become an interface between learners and their environment. In the era of the pandemic, engaged and authentic learning through technology has resulted in higher retention and comprehension rates has dramatically increased learner satisfaction and introduced creativity to an age-old process. Technologies such as 3D videos, Simulations and Augmented Reality transformed online learning by creating an immersive experience for learners, drastically different from the traditional classroom methods. These enabled the sharing of knowledge and information in creative and dynamic ways – fun animations and effective videos.

With the usage of new tools, online learning is constantly innovating its application to make it more user-friendly. It is providing more space for experimentation which was earlier unimaginable, exposing learners to new ideas and thereby fueling creative application in local contexts. Internet penetration along with the development of newer technologies is further helping this cause. Technology makes on-site teaching more effective by enabling an active form of learning. Thus, the introduction of Technology Enhanced Learning brings a revolutionary change in the teaching methodologies that were followed by educators and practitioners for so long. It also assists educators to become more effective in teaching by utilizing new-age teaching tools.

Technology is evolving rapidly and setting new trends regularly. But this is not the only resource for knowledge dissemination. Notably, there is creativity not only in the learning process by way of modern tools, but also in the mere application of complicated technology otherwise alien to a traditional sector like education.

This has given birth to the e-learning ecosystem. In response to the significant demand in the past couple of years, many online learning platforms are offering free access to their services and providing a one-stop-shop for teachers and students. Learning online may be effective in several ways. According to reports and studies as published by World Economic Forum, students learning through online modules retain anywhere between 25-60% as compared to regular classrooms. One can attribute this success of online learning to being user-friendly while integrating technology as compared to traditional classroom settings.

Students find interactive learning activities more engaging and the resultant retention is significantly enhanced. When information involves a fun element, the delivery process becomes more efficient as technology and creativity go hand in hand. Also, doing, seeing and hearing helps comprehension as demonstrated by Edgar Dale’s Cone of Learning.

Technology has the potential to provide quick results and accelerate the speed of innovation. When education involves experiment, we learn something new! Experiential learning which involves learning by doing’ is one such example. Coding and creating applications became extremely popular in recent times and are believed to reinforce creativity and significant thinking.

One primary barrier to creativity in education institutes is the heavily charged curriculum and traditional pedagogy. Keeping in mind the ever-changing landscape of education, we need to re-design the traditional function of education institutes and method of learning. Aligning with the need of the hour, we also need to develop a more flexible, balanced and skill-based curriculum which will not only be less extensive but also at the same time enriching for students. We need to inclusion of diverse and cross-curricular activities to ensure more participation. The technology-led advancements which are increasingly being used in education can transfer these benefits to improve the quality of education.

To move from latent utilization to dynamic advancement, we need to further extend our definition of creativity. As parents, educators, and leaders of the next generation, it is important to appreciate and emphasize the joy of creativity. This promotes feelings of self-confidence and self-esteem that are the key to emotional well-being and healthy social development. Moreover, creativity provides a platform to improvise old ideas and create breakthroughs in the world of art, science and technology.

The article first appeared in The Hindu newspaper and website on 11 April 2021