CREATIVE TECHNOLOGIES a case study of place-based learning and teaching in the digital age

BACKGROUND This report captures processes, outcomes and learnings of a Creative Vic funded project (Virtual Creative Professionals in Schools) where RMIT Uni researchers worked in partnership with Kangaroo Flat Primary School and Woodford Primary School. The project explored the use of digital technologies in the classroom as a way to open up creativity and critical thinking (Harris 2017). Existing research shows the potential of media technologies to transform people’s connections with their environment (Perkins 2009; Kitchin et al 2009). Studies in digital activism illustrate how mobiles can be seen as new ‘mobilities’ that pave the way to access, rights and capabilities for disadvantaged groups (de Souza & Sheller 2014). Building on this research, one of the key questions was: how do new digital innovations, which merge in-class with place-based forms of learning, contribute to shaping and informing school curriculum? CONTRIBUTION The report details the design of a series of workshops and events as a way to explore ways that new and emerging digital technologies shape the dialogue on creative and critical capacities in learning and teaching. Through these workshops we explored ‘place-making’ and the ways that the local environment could be drawn on to inform teacher professional development in digital technologies–and in turn shape students’ learning in creative and critical thinking. The report details the process of developing a model for the production of community-driven media artefacts that combines innovation across pedagogy, partnerships and creative practice research using digital media. SIGNIFICANCE In addition to contributing knowledge around new digital innovations, which merge in-class with place-based forms of learning, the report discusses the process of building long-term strategic partnerships with the sectors of education, government and community. It includes analysis on the benefits and limitations of these kinds of government initiatives.