Creative processes: a model for learning

Abstract

In our world, in the XXI century, innovation and creation are keystones of the development, both at personal and at social levels. Therefore, the Educative System has the responsibility to enhance and promote all the competencies related to creativity and innovation. With the objective to aid for teaching and learning the competencies needed for creation and innovation, a model of the creative process (named CREALAB®) has been developed. In general, models are established for specific purposes, that determines their greater or lesser complexity. As the objective of our model is to facilitate learning skills, the model is elaborated in order to be clear and easy to use in different training actions. In this paper, we present the background on which the model has been built, a general description of the model itself and two applications that demonstrate his effectiveness, showing in a practical manner his contents: in the first one application, the model is used as a tool for the design of R&D&I projects—a subject of a master's degree—and, in the second one, the model is applied to analyse —and learning—a special innovation experience: the process of designing and making a respirator for COVID patients during the confinement period. The detailed contents of the model are found in a web based tool called CREATOOL® developed within the framework of a teaching innovation program in Cadiz University. The tool is implemented in WordPress, and structured according to the modules of CREALAB®. As conclusion remarks, we consider the educational benefits and the utility of this tool for teaching and learning the competencies involved in creativity and innovation.