Creativity in science and mathematics in the early years

1. Creativity in science and mathematics in the early years Presentation based on D2.2 Conceptual Frameworkhttp://www.creative-little-scientists.eu CoordinatorEllinogermanikiAgogi, Greece: Dr. FaniStylianidou Lead partners for this deliverable Open University, UK: Prof. Anna Craft, Prof. Teresa Cremin, Dr Jim Clack; Bishop Grosseteste University College Lincoln, UK: Dr. Ashley Compton, Jane Johnston, Alison Riley Contributing partner Institute of Education, University of London, UK: Dr. Esme Glauert, Dr. Andrew Manches

2. The project seeks to provide • A clear picture of existing and possible practices in science and mathematics education in the early years • Implications for development of children’s creativity and the emergence of appropriate learning outcomes, including children’s attitudes to science and mathematics • Policy guidelines, as well as curricula and exemplary materials for teacher education

3. Project Partners

4. Focus on potential for creativity in early years mathematics and science

5. Presentation based on D2.2 Conceptual FrameworkFocus on synergies and differencesbetween IBSE and CA 2.2 Science and Mathematics Education IoE UK Synergies and differences between IBSE and CA 2.3 Creativity in Education OU UK D2.2 Conceptual Framework OU and BG UK 2.4 Teacher Education AUC Belgium 2.4 Comparative Education UEF Finland

6. Overarching concerns • Aims and values • Bridging perspectives • Beyond the rhetoric of creativity

7. Comparing IBSE and CA Inquiry-based science education Creative approaches Problem finding & problem solving, playful exploration, individual, collaborative and communal engagement Roles of innovation, originality, ownership and control, connection making Involves risk taking, independent judgment, resilience Importance of intrinsic motivation, curiosity (for example Chappell et al 2008) • Widespread promotion of IBSE • Varied definitions – what scientists do, how students learn, pedagogical approach • Features include: questioning, giving priority to evidence, formulating explanations & connecting to scientific knowledge, communicating and justifying explanations ( for example Minner et al 2010)

8. Synergies and differences • Play and exploration • Motivation and affect • Dialogue and communication • Problem solving and agency • Questioning and curiosity • Reflection and reasoning • Teacher scaffolding and involvement • Assessment for learning

9. 1 Play and exploration • Role of play and exploration in learning from earliest years solving tasks, making causal inferences, social experimentation • Importance of contextto foster interest, engagementrich physical environment, relevance, links to everyday life • Need for sufficient time and space • Importance of varied ways of representing & expressing ideas • Key role of the adult in scaffolding inquiry and creativity

10. 2 Motivation and affect • Importance of links to prior knowledge and everyday experience • Practical exploration of immediate surroundings • Affective dimension – integral part of learning – not just a catalyst • Role of aesthetic experience • Power of narrative and dramatic story making

11. 3 Dialogue and collaboration • Communication to externalise, share and develop thinking • Developing metacognitive awareness • Considering alternative strategies and explanations • Support of the adult, sensitive to children’s capabilities • Fostering a supportive environment, ground rules for collaboration • Listening to children’s ideas • Open dialogue • Positioning and interventions vary over time

12. 4 Problem solving & agency(Barrow 2010) Question provided by teacher Learner poses a question

13. Beyond simple dichotomies (Kind and Kind 2007) )

14. 5 Questioning and curiosity • Time and experience needed to foster children’s own questions • Recognising questions implicit in children’s actions • Need for teacher modelling of curiosity and self reflection • Varied forms of teacher questioning for different purposes • Responsive to children’s interests • Fostering understanding and metacognition • How far do children understand open questions?

15. 6 Reflection and reasoning • Greater focus in IBSE than in CA • Challenges in coordinating and differentiating theories and evidence • Influence of children’s pre-conceptions • However growing awareness of children’s capabilities • Key roles of the teacher • Developing metacognitive awareness • Building on varied forms of expression as starting points • Fostering appreciation of scientific argumentation and explanation

16. 7 Teacher scaffolding and involvement • Scaffolding to foster independent inquirers, problem solvers, creative thinkers • Dynamic nature - fostering independence over time • Role of standing back • Acting as fellow collaborator, provocateur • Challenge to traditional power relations • Complexities of the issues involved • ‘two edged sword of pedagogy’ (Bonawitz et al 2011) • ‘efficiency and innovation’ (Schwarz et al 2005) • Issues in transition from pre-school to primary education

17. 8 Assessment for learning • Vital to inform sensitive and responsive approach to early years teaching • Importance of holistic, multimodal approaches, digital technologies • Assessment in context • Role of child in self and peer assessment - evaluating ideas, metacognition, reflecting on learning within a community

18. Identifying factors associated with creativity in early years science and mathematics education • Aims, purposes, priorities – cognitive, social and affective dimensions – links to creative dispositions • Pedagogy – nature of learning activities, teacher role, assessment approaches • Contextual factors – curriculum content, location, materials and resources, time, groupings • Teacher- related factors – attitudes, beliefs

19. Research questions • How are the teaching, learning and assessment of science and mathematics in Early Years in the partner countries conceptualised by teachers and what role if any does creativity play in these? • What approaches are used in the teaching, learning and assessment of science and mathematics in Early Years in the partner countries and what role if any does creativity play in these? • In what ways do these approaches seek to foster young children’s learning and motivation in science and mathematics, and how do teachers perceive their role in doing so? • How can findings emerging from analysis in relation to questions 1-3 inform the development of practice in the classroom and in teacher education (ITE and CPD)?

20. How you can be involved • Express interest via the website www.creative-little-scientists.euclick on Participate (main menu at the top of the page) • Encourage teachers to participate in the survey • https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CreativeLittleScientists-EN • https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CreativeLittleScientists-SCOT • https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CreativeLittleScientists-NI • https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CreativeLittleScientists-WALES • Suggest schools that might be interested in the in depth research • Participate in focus groups linked to development of teacher education materials • Participate in dissemination events

21. Acknowledgements Presentation based on D2.2 Conceptual Frameworkhttp://www.creative-little-scientists.eu CoordinatorEllinogermaniki Agogi, Greece: Dr. Fani Stylianidou Lead partners for this deliverable Open University, UK: Prof. Anna Craft, Prof. Teresa Cremin, Dr Jim Clack; Bishop Grosseteste University College Lincoln, UK: Dr. Ashley Compton, Jane Johnston, Alison Riley Contributing partner Institute of Education, University of London, UK: Dr. Esme Glauert, Dr. Andrew Manches This publication/presentation reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.