Using Educational Technology to Improve Creativity and Socio-emotional-Learning Competences among Gifted and Talented Children

Journal of Social Research & Policy, Volume: 9, Issue: 2, pp. 59-73

Date: December 2018

ISSN: 2067-2640 (print), 2068-9861 (electronic)

Abstract: This paper presents the results of evaluating a Creative Computing-related activity in a non-formal setting conducted by 19 gifted and talented children aged between 8 and 12. We focus on how educational technologies can help high-skilled children manage their emotions and resolve conflicts, while at the same time promoting creativity, and problem-solving. A questionnaire was administered before and after the activity to gather children’s and their parents’ opinions. Results show that the activity was highly motivating, while also having some impact on enhancing socio-emotional learning competences such as emotion identification. Parents also perceived positive changes, although their perspective differed from that of their children with regard to the issues raised. The activity implemented here opens the door to new ways of intervening with gifted and talented children, using educational technology to improve not only digital but also creative thinking skills and socio-emotional learning competences.

Keywords: Socio-Emotional Learning Competences; Creativity; Thinking Skills; Gifted and Talented Children; Educational Technologies.