TY - JOUR
T1 - Creativity and performativity
T2 - The case of further education
AU - Simmons, Robin
AU - Thompson, Ron
PY - 2008/10
Y1 - 2008/10
N2 - This article examines the circumstances affecting creative teaching and learning within the specific context of English further education (FE) - a sector which has proved to be particularly fertile ground for performativity. Beginning with an analysis of notions of creativity in education and a description of the peculiar history and policy context of FE, the article problematises the relationship between representations of creativity and the current situation of teachers and learners. Drawing on a range of empirical studies and policy analyses, it is argued that FE is increasingly positioned at the 'lower end' of a largely class-based division of post-compulsory education in England. In such a division, the authors argue, meaningful creativity is difficult to achieve. Within the performative context of FE, attempts to interpret official discourse on creativity may only serve to reproduce and exacerbate existing inequalities in education.
AB - This article examines the circumstances affecting creative teaching and learning within the specific context of English further education (FE) - a sector which has proved to be particularly fertile ground for performativity. Beginning with an analysis of notions of creativity in education and a description of the peculiar history and policy context of FE, the article problematises the relationship between representations of creativity and the current situation of teachers and learners. Drawing on a range of empirical studies and policy analyses, it is argued that FE is increasingly positioned at the 'lower end' of a largely class-based division of post-compulsory education in England. In such a division, the authors argue, meaningful creativity is difficult to achieve. Within the performative context of FE, attempts to interpret official discourse on creativity may only serve to reproduce and exacerbate existing inequalities in education.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=48749111077&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/01411920802223974
DO - 10.1080/01411920802223974
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:48749111077
VL - 34
SP - 601
EP - 618
JO - British Educational Research Journal
JF - British Educational Research Journal
SN - 0141-1926
IS - 5
ER -