Teaching and Learning Creativity in Fashion. A Case Study of the Fashion Department of Takoradi Technical University (Published)
Ghanaian fashion products are generally described as “unattractive’ or “unimaginative” due mainly to poor creative designs. As a result, many Ghanaian fashion designers who are largely tertiary education graduates have been unable to compete favourably in both the local and international fashion markets. With increasing complaints about the lack of creativity in Ghanaian clothing designs, it became imperative to research into the reasons for the poor creative skills of the fashion design graduates of the Technical Universities. Several factors could account for the poor creative skills of the fashion graduates; one critical factor being the method of teaching and learning creative design skills. The main thrust of this research is to examine the professionalism of the lecturers, the attitude of students to learning and the effectiveness of the teaching and learning methods and models used in the Technical University to promote student learning and development. The study briefly outlined existing theoretical frameworks on teaching and learning in colleges and their application to achieve effective student learning and acquisition of creative skills. The study employed the descriptive survey method; using Questionnaires, structured Interview and Observation instruments to gather primary data from professional fashion designers, lecturers and students on how to enhance the teaching and learning of creative fashion design. This research confirmed the use of the traditional methods (lectures and textbooks) of teaching and learning at the Takoradi Technical University which according to existing research findings did not support the effective development and training of students to become life-long learners or critical thinkers. The study therefore recommended the use of more of the evidenced- based models like critical thinking and problem solving skills in the teaching and learning of creativity than the much fancied traditional methods of lecture, Hand-outs and textbook. The research concluded by encouraging lecturers to use alternative instructional models in teaching creativity and urging students to acquire innovative and critical thinking skills to become successful fashion designers.