The third-year student’s creativity changes in applying virtual learning environment on Technology pedagogical studies process in Lithuania

Abstract

The paper analyzes the expression of creativity of trainee teachers of Technologies in Lithuania. In the autumn semester of 2013-2014 there was an educational project conducted at the Lithuanian University of Educational Sciences. Lectures, seminars and self-dependent studies included the application of the virtual learning environment (VLE) and other virtual sources of information. The educational project involved the third year female students of Technology Education (they constituted the experimental group). The control group was composed of the third year female students of Mathematics Education. At the beginning and end of the semester both the groups were given questionnaires for diagnosing personal creativity. The target questions were prepared on the basis of E.P. Torrance’s recommendations and the Lithuanian Primary and Basic Education Framework Programme (Technologies) for grades 5 to 12. The paper analyzes the variation of the informants’ creative expression in relation to the presence or absence of VLE in the study process. The analysis of the qualitative research compares the expression of the informants’ creativity on the basis of four criteria of creativity assessment: fluency, flexibility, originality and elaboration.