Design and Assessment of a Tool for Improving Creativity and Imagination in School Children

Abstract

Education is the backbone of every society, and its core goal is to internalize the maximum potential of every child. With the advent of technologies like AI, Machine Learning, Robotics, Automation, the landscape of the future is witnessing a major shift. The skills required in future are also different from what is being taught in the current school education. Creativity has been reported to be among the top three required skills in the next decade with complex problem solving and critical thinking acquiring the top two positions. For creativity to work, imagination is needed as a fuel. This paper reports about the development of imagination and creativity in kids using a new pedagogical tool called ‘platos’. The pedagogical tool was developed using platonic solids as props for intervention. The tool was further assessed using neurophysiological instruments like EEG and GSR. These neurophysiological instruments are capable of sensing electrical movements in humans. The neurophysiological responses of the frontal and parietal part of the brain were filtered and then the results were analysed. Furthermore, the changes in sweat gland or galvanic skin response (aka EDA) activity were captured. GSR is a direct indication for emotional state changes also known as emotional arousal/anxiety. Combining Skin conductance with valence, moments of key engagements can be understood, and their significance can be established. The idea was to check the neurophysiological responses of the students while they undergo any hands-on creative activity. The findings indicated that in order for youngsters to acquire innovative and creative perceptions of geometrical forms and spatial comprehension, a creative visual intervention is necessary to enhance their creativity.