Could computer games-based problem solving positively affect the development of creativity in young children? A mixed method case study

Abstract

The widespread uses of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) by children, in combination with the importance of developing creativity in society, justifies the necessity for educational research regarding the impact of ICT on children’s creativity, even from preschool age. A current research direction concerns the verification of developmentally-appropriate, effective, and efficient learning activities that utilize ICT to cultivate creativity. This paper presents a case study of the influence that the use of an open-ended problem-solving digital game, under the teacher’s guidance, has on kindergarten children’s creativity. The research design includes the observation of children’s interaction with the software, as well as the measurement of children’s creativity and self-efficacy, before and after the use of the game. The analysis of the research data reveals that, within the framework of the specific learning intervention, the use of the game significantly improved both the children’s skill of producing alternative solutions (fluency) and their selfefficacy regarding playing games of a specific kind. The results of the research could be of interest to creativity researchers, educators aiming at fostering students’ creativity through the use of ICT, and parents/guardians who wish to engage their children in creative ICT activities.