Effectiveness of technology-integrated arts education in enhancing creativity and SDGs literacy among elementary students

Abstract

This research aims to analyze the effectiveness of implementing Technology-Integrated Arts Education in simultaneously enhancing creativity and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Literacy among elementary school students. The background of this study is the urgent need to prepare the younger generation with 21st-century skills, particularly creativity, as well as global awareness regarding sustainability issues. This study employed a quasi-experimental non-equivalent control group design involving 64 fourth-grade students (n=32 experimental, n=32 control). Data were collected using the Torrance Test of Creative Thinking (TTCT) and the Elementary SDGs Literacy Scale (ESL-S) administered before and after the eight-week intervention. Results from the one-way ANCOVA revealed that the Technology-Integrated Arts Education model was significantly more effective than conventional learning for enhancing creativity (F(1, 61) = 145.32, p < 0.001, η² = 0.48) and SDGs literacy (F(1, 61) = 162.18, p < 0.001, η² = 0.52). Significant improvements were observed across specific domains, particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). These findings suggest that integrating digital tools into art activities facilitates creative expression and instills a contextual understanding of sustainability. This study suggests this intervention as a potential strategy for the Primary School Teacher Education (PGSD) curriculum to prepare future educators in integrating technology, arts, and sustainability.

Keywords
  • Digital arts pedagogy, Divergent thinking, ESD, SDGs literacy, Primary education.
References
  1. Addison, N., Burgess, L., Steers, J., & Trowell, J. (2010). Understanding Art Education. London And New York: Routledge.
  2. Backes, J. G., & Traverso, M. (2022). Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment As A Metrics Towards Sdgs Agenda 2030. Current Opinion In Green And Sustainable Chemistry, 38, 100683. Https://Doi.Org/Https://Doi.Org/10.1016/J.Cogsc.2022.100683
  3. Bequette, J. W., & Bequette, M. B. (2012). A Place For Art And Design Education In The Stem Conversation. Art Education, 65(2), 40–47. Https://Doi.Org/Https://Doi.Org/10.1080/00043125.2012.11519167
  4. Burnard, P. (2012). Musical Creativities In Practice. Oxford University Press.
  5. Creely, E., & Blannin, J. (2025). Creative Partnerships With Generative Ai. Possibilities For Education And Beyond. Thinking Skills And Creativity, 56, 101727. Https://Doi.Org/Https://Doi.Org/10.1016/J.Tsc.2024.101727
  6. Efland, A. (2002). Art And Cognition: Integrating The Visual Arts In The Curriculum. Teachers College Press.
  7. Escala, N., Guitert, M., & Romeu, T. (2025). Validation Of The Abl+ Dt Model: An Ecosystemic Framework For Integrating Arts And Digital Technologies In Primary Education. British Educational Research Journal. Https://Doi.Org/Https://Doi.Org/10.1002/Berj.70164
  8. Escala, N., Romeu, T., & Guitert, M. (2025). Arts Integration With Digital Tools In Primary Schools: Innovative Pedagogical Practices In Catalonia. International Journal Of Educational Research Open, 9, 100538.
  9. Harris, A., & De Bruin, L. R. (2018). Secondary School Creativity, Teacher Practice And Steam Education: An International Study. Journal Of Educational Change, 19(2), 153–179.
  10. Harry, A., & Sayudin, S. (2023). Role Of Ai In Education. Interdiciplinary Journal And Hummanity (Injurity), 2(3), 260–268. Https://Doi.Org/Https://Doi.Org/10.58631/Injurity.V2i3.52
  11. Henriksen, D. (2014). Full Steam Ahead : Creativity In Excellent Stem Teaching Practices Full Steam Ahead : Creativity In Excellent Stem Teaching Practices. 1(2). Https://Doi.Org/10.5642/Steam.20140102.15
  12. Henriksen, D., Mishra, P., & Fisser, P. (2016). Infusing Creativity And Technology In 21st Century Education: A Systemic View For Change. Educational Technology & Society, 19(3).
  13. Huang, X., Lee, J. C.-K., & Dong, X. (2019). Mapping The Factors Influencing Creative Teaching In Mainland China: An Exploratory Study. Thinking Skills And Creativity, 31, 79–90. Https://Doi.Org/Https://Doi.Org/10.1016/J.Tsc.2018.11.002
  14. Jeffrey*, B., & Craft, A. (2004). Teaching Creatively And Teaching For Creativity: Distinctions And Relationships. Educational Studies, 30(1), 77–87. Https://Doi.Org/Https://Doi.Org/10.1080/0305569032000159750
  15. Jia, J., Chen, Y., Ding, Z., Bai, Y., Yang, B., Li, M., & Qi, J. (2013). Effects Of An Intelligent Web‐Based English Instruction System On Students’ Academic Performance. Journal Of Computer Assisted Learning, 29(6), 556–568. Https://Doi.Org/Https://Doi.Org/10.1111/Jcal.12016
  16. Kafai, Y. B., & Peppler, K. A. (2011). Youth, Technology, And Diy: Developing Participatory Competencies In Creative Media Production. Review Of Research In Education, 35(1), 89–119. Https://Doi.Org/Https://Doi.Org/10.3102/0091732x1038
  17. Khine, M., & Areepattamannil, S. (2019). Steam Education. Springer, 10(978–3), 15–16.
  18. Khoiriyah, A. J., & Husamah, H. (2018). Problem-Based Learning: Creative Thinking Skills, Problem-Solving Skills, And Learning Outcome Of Seventh Grade Students. Jpbi (Jurnal Pendidikan Biologi Indonesia), 4(2), 151–160. Https://Doi.Org/Https://Doi.Org/10.22219/Jpbi.V4i2.5804
  19. Kim, K. H. (2011). The Creativity Crisis: The Decrease In Creative Thinking Scores On The Torrance Tests Of Creative Thinking. Creativity Research Journal, 23(4), 285–295. Https://Doi.Org/Https://Doi.Org/10.1080/10400419.2011.627805
  20. Klausen, S. H. (2010). The Notion Of Creativity Revisited: A Philosophical Perspective On Creativity Research. Creativity Research Journal, 22(4), 347–360. Https://Doi.Org/Https://Doi.Org/10.1080/10400419.2010.523390
  21. Kopnina, H. (2020). Education For The Future? Critical Evaluation Of Education For Sustainable Development Goals. The Journal Of Environmental Education, 51(4), 280–291. Https://Doi.Org/Https://Doi.Org/10.1080/00958964.2019.1710444
  22. Liao, C. (2016). From Interdisciplinary To Transdisciplinary: An Arts-Integrated Approach To Steam Education. Art Education, 69(6), 44–49. Https://Doi.Org/Https://Doi.Org/10.1080/00043125.2016.1224873
  23. Lin, H., Wan, S., Gan, W., Chen, J., & Chao, H.-C. (2022). Metaverse In Education: Vision, Opportunities, And Challenges. 2022 Ieee International Conference On Big Data (Big Data), 2857–2866. Https://Doi.Org/10.1109/Bigdata55660.2022.10021004
  24. Mishra, P., & Koehler, M. J. (2006). Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge: A Framework For Teacher Knowledge. Teachers College Record, 108(6), 1017–1054. Https://Doi.Org/Https://Doi.Org/10.1111/J.1467-9620.2006.006
  25. Rasmussen, I., & Ludvigsen, S. (2010). Learning With Computer Tools And Environments: A Sociocultural Perspective. International Handbook Of Psychology In Education, 399–433.
  26. Restian, A., Belhassen, Y., Johnson, Z., & Brown, E. (2025). A Quantitative Analysis Of Recent Advances In Generative Ai And Their Implications For Pedagogical Innovation. Al-Hijr: Journal Of Adulearn World, 4(3), 229–246. Https://Doi.Org/10.55849/Alhijr.V4i3.1041
  27. Runco, M. A. (2014). Creativity: Theories And Themes: Research, Development, And Practice. Elsevier.
  28. Samarawickrema, G., Benson, R., & Brack, C. (2010). Different Spaces : Staff Development For Web 2 . 0. 26(1), 44–49. Https://Doi.Org/Https://Doi.Org/10.14742/Ajet.1101
  29. Sawyer, R. K., & Henriksen, D. (2024). Explaining Creativity: The Science Of Human Innovation. Oxford University Press.
  30. Scott, C. L. (2023). The Futures Of Learning 3: What Kind Of Pedagogies For The 21st Century? International Journal For Business Education, 164(1), 1. Https://Doi.Org/Https://Doi.Org/10.30707/Ijbe164.1.1690386168.68154
  31. Silverstein, L. B., & Layne, S. (2010). What Is Arts Integration. Washington, Dc: The Kennedy Center For The Performing Arts.
  32. Sternberg, R. J., & Tardif, T. (2009). The Nature Of Creativity. The Essential Sternberg: Essays On Intelligence, Psychology And Education, 103–118.
  33. Sugiastutih, L., Restian, A., & Kuncahyono, K. (2025). Ecoprint Analysis Of Pounding Technique As An Aesthetic Synergy For Art, Culture, And Craft Learning. Lectura: Jurnal Pendidikan, 16(1), 307–320. Https://Doi.Org/Https://Doi.Org/10.31849/Lectura.V16i1.25795
  34. Swanson, S. R., Davis, J. C., & Zhao, Y. (2008). Art For Art’s Sake? An Examination Of Motives For Arts Performance Attendance. Nonprofit And Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 37(2), 300–323. Https://Doi.Org/Https://Doi.Org/10.1177/0899764007310418