A study on the advantages, difficulties, functions, and strategies of creative education in elementary schools of Taiwan

Abstract

21st century is aglobal knowledge based economy, the key in order to fully embrace this changingworld is to develop one’s innovation and creative ability. Currently, Taiwan’sCreative Education policies had already been in place for quite some time,therefore, the main purpose of the study is to investigate the differentfactors like advantages, difficulties, functions and strategies that affect thedevelopment of Creative Education in the elementary students of Taiwan. Thestudy uses a survey questionnaire method in collecting data. The participants aremembers of the elementary school community, which includes principals,supervisors, class advisers, subject teachers, and non-teaching staffs. Thenumber of valid questionnaires is 213 teachers. Advantages includes: opennessof school to change, support of school administrators, hardware and softwareavailability, resource availability, and support of parents. Difficultiesincludes: teachers’ pressure in keeping up with the advancement of lessons, notenough time to go into creative education, lack of facilities and funding inpromoting creative education, and parent’s old concept of education. Functionsincludes: enhance the students’ imaginative and creative thinking, motivatestudents’ interest in learning, and improve teachers’ creative education skills.Strategies includes: campus wide competition, encourage cooperation in teacherswhile joining research discussions, sharing experiences and job trainings tofurther improve their professional skills.