Fostering Cross-curricular Key Competences for Creativity and Innovation

10 November 2008 to 12 November 2008
Vienna, Austria

Peer Learning Cluster or other group

Key Competences

Background

The fourth PLA of the cluster group for Key Competences was hosted by the Austrian Federal Ministry for Education, the Arts and Culture and addressed the topic “Fostering Cross-curricular Key Competences for Creativity and Innovation.”

 

The potential impact of creativity on personal, societal, economic and global well-being has been increasingly recognised in recent policy statements on culture, education and training; and in the designation of 2009 as European Year of Creativity and Innovation.

 

A significant feature of education in Austria is a systemic approach to supporting arts and cultural education through partnership between different government Ministries and agencies; and the promotion of collaboration between organisations and projects which connect arts practitioners and experts with teachers and pupils.

 

Much of the PLA content focused on the activities of these organisations and the concepts and rationale underpinning their work. 

Description

Key lessons from the PLA: 

  • 'Creativity', 'arts', 'culture' and 'cultural education' should be underpinned by a clear concept and a robust theoretical framework;
  • Cultural education and creativity can, and should be enhanced by external support. Support should encourage and facilitate participatory, learner-centred and interdisciplinary teaching and learning and working together with stakeholders;
  • Assessment procedures are key in determining how far the 'spirit of key competences' in put into practice;
  • Supporting creativity and the acquisition of all key competences has important implications in teacher education and school leadership; 
  • Managing change and supporting innovation within the system itself are key factors for success.

For further reading, see: 

PLA_Cross curricular KC for creativity and innovation_Nov. 08.pdf
Knowledge System for Lifelong Learning