Strengthening Innovative Learning Environments
The Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC) and the Institute for Employment Studies (IES) have published a comprehensive report titled "Enhancing Creative Education." The report, which was also supported by Arts Council England, is based on a survey of over 7,000 secondary school teachers in the UK.
One of the key findings of the report is the impact of AI-powered creative tools on student engagement and creativity. The use of tools like Adobe Express for Education has been found to significantly boost student engagement and creativity, particularly for those who are typically disengaged with traditional educational formats. These tools enable students to express ideas visually and personally, supporting deeper learning and fostering pride and ownership in their work.
The report also highlights the increasing integration of generative AI in creative education, which helps overcome common barriers to creativity such as lack of drawing or formatting skills. This allows students to focus more on thinking and idea development rather than technical execution.
The importance of embedding creativity into education through innovative instructional designs and digital tools that support authentic self-expression and communication is another key focus of the report. The report emphasizes that educator preparation must evolve to equip teachers with the knowledge and skills to support creative learning environments, informed by an understanding of learner development and neuroscience.
The evidence presented in the report suggests that approaches incorporating AI and digital creativity tools contribute to significantly improved quality of creative outputs and student motivation. This points to a transformative potential for creative education in schools and higher education.
The report asserts that 93% of 16-18 year olds report that creative education fostering self-expression, teamwork, and empathy, positively impacts on their mental health and wellbeing. It also states that 88% of young people aged 11+ report considering a creative career after direct engagement where they were given the opportunity to learn about the various jobs within the UK's creative industries.
Despite challenges during the pandemic, the report highlights ongoing innovation in creative education, with teachers demonstrating resilience and creativity in adopting digital technologies. The report also emphasizes the importance of creative education in helping young people build entrepreneurial skills and improve their future employability.
Creative subject teachers are more likely than other teachers to provide 'live' industry experience for their pupils, which is crucial in preparing students for the workforce. The report also calls for policies that support the recruitment and retention of international talent in the UK's creative industries, as the UK's departure from the EU has had an impact on the ability of creative businesses to access foreign talent.
The report concludes by calling for consistent investment and resources to better support the universal delivery of creative education in schools across the UK. It collectively supports a future where creative education is enhanced by technology-enabled tools and teacher training grounded in developmental science, which together foster more inclusive, engaging, and effective creative learning experiences.
The report was authored by Joseph Cook, Research Officer at Institute for Employment Studies, Emma Pollard, Principal Research Fellow at Institute for Employment Studies, Joy Williams, Senior Research Fellow at Institute for Employment Studies, and Morwenna Byford, Research Fellow at Institute for Employment Studies. The report titled "The migrant and skills needs of creative businesses in the UK" was commissioned by the Creative Industries Council.
- The Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC) and the Institute for Employment Studies (IES) published a report titled "Enhancing Creative Education," indicating a focus on innovation within educational sectors.
- AI-powered creative tools, such as Adobe Express for Education, were found to significantly boost student engagement and creativity, with a particular impact on disengaged students.
- The report highlights the increasing integration of generative AI in creative education, enabling students to focus on idea development without technical skill constraints.
- The importance of embedding creativity into education through innovative instructional designs and technology was emphasized, with a need for educator preparation that supports creative learning environments.
- The evidence in the report suggests that approaches incorporating AI and digital creativity tools can contribute to improved quality of creative outputs, student motivation, and mental health.
- The report shows that 93% of 16-18 year olds report that creative education fostering self-expression, teamwork, and empathy positively impacts their mental health and wellbeing.
- Despite challenges during the pandemic, creative education continues to innovate, with teachers demonstrating resilience and creativity in adopting digital technologies, fostering skills for entrepreneurship and improving future employability.
