Primary and Early Years > Interest > Gender

P8: The role of animation software in helping to increase boys' creativity in story writing
Author: Charlotte Ashton, Class Teacher, Hartside Primary School, Durham
Date: 2004

Summary

The teacher investigated whether using animation software improved boys' creativity and imagination in story writing, focusing on four boys in her class. She gave her pupils three tasks over a four month period, which moved from writing a story about monsters, through creating a storyboard, to creating an animation film about them using plasticene models. The creativity of the pupils' discussion increased, but there was insufficient evidence to draw any conclusions about the effect of using the software.

Methodology

The teacher observed the four boys, photographed them working and noted down any relevant comments that they made. She also interviewed them afterwards, asking them about their feelings about their work. The classroom assistant also observed the children at work during the final stage of the research.

Findings

The teacher reports an increase in imagination and creativity of the children's discussion work, but there was insufficient evidence to state whether or not there had been any increase in their written work. The children's desire to use the ICT as soon as possible led to them rushing the earlier written part of the task. This has implications for the need to plan lessons involving ICT very carefully.

The motivation of all the boys, including the lower attaining ones, was greatly increased when using the ICT. The teacher also felt very enthusiastic, as the animation software had opened up a more creative and innovative teaching style to her.

Several children commented that working in a team and taking turns in using the software was enabling them to discuss their work more and be more focused, which made story writing more appealing to them.

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