A Web-Based Multimedia Environment to Support Group Creativity

The objective of this paper is to investigate how a networking environment affects group creativity and associated creative thinking activity. We believe that, traditional activities are strengthened by the use of information technology. In this paper, a web-based brainstorming system is introduced. It is based on the Internet which provides a multi-dimensional forum to support brainstorming activity. Our system has an session facilitation and management unit, a multimedia supporting unit, an expert assessment unit, and a knowledge management unit. With the assistant of information technology, the quality and quantity of ideas generated during traditional and networked activity is compared and discussed. This system was used in a creativity related course during the spring semester of 2005 at an Institute of Technology in northern Taiwan. The results show that the uniqueness and usefulness of ideas generated during networked activity is superior to those generated in a more traditional manner. The quantity of ideas was also increased using networking. In a questionnaire about student satisfactions, given to students at the completion of the course, most students expressed a positive attitude toward the networked system. Key-Words: Multimedia, Creative, Group creativity, Brainstorming, Brainsketching, FlashPaint