How I have arrived at a notion of knowledge transformation, through understanding the story of myself as creative writer, creative educator, creative manager, and educational researcher

摘要

My aim in this thesis is to tell the story/stories of how I arrived at a living theory of creativity which I shall call ‘knowledge transformation’. I explore this theory through ‘story’ as a methodology that connects both the creative writer and action researcher, and raises questions about self, reflective process and voice that are central to my enquiry. In telling these stories, I ask the question: what does it mean to be creative, as a writer, an educator and a manager? Is the nature of creativity transferable across each of these roles? How has this knowledge improved my practice as an educator? My examination leads to a theory of learning called ‘knowledge transformation’, which suggests that deep learning leads to change of both the learner and what is learnt. My premise is that ‘knowledge transformation’ involves the capacity to respond to challenge, self and other, and is central to the notion of creativity. I consider how far this capacity can be transferable, teachable and measurable in educational contexts, arriving at a notion of ‘scaffolded creativity’ which is demonstrated through practice in the higher academy. My journey towards and with this theory draws on my experience of four personae, the creative writer in and outside the academy, and the educator, team leader, and researcher within it; and explores the strategies and issues raised by bringing these roles and intelligences together. This theory of ‘knowledge transformation’ represents an aspirational contribution to our understanding of what it means to be ‘creative’. It explores how educational objectives can lead to deep learning and positive change. It also explores how values can be clarified in the course of their emergence and formed into living standards of judgment.