Fostering Creativity through Educational Video Game Development Projects: a Study of Contextual and Task Characteristics Running Head: Creativity and Game Development Projects 1 Fostering Creativity through Educational Video Game Development Projects: a Study of Contextual and Task Characteristics

The increasing demand for creative individuals in the labor market requires well-prepared professionals, capable of enhancing competitiveness through new ideas and innovative actions. Educational programs should therefore rely on approaches and learning environments that foster creativity. In this study, video game development projects were used as an approach to foster creativity in educational contexts. Conceptual frameworks focused on contextual creativity enablers indicate that specific environment and task characteristics can facilitate the development and expression of creativity. This study explored the extent to which students perceived that educational game development projects mimicking real-world dynamics recreated contextual conditions appropriate to foster creativity, and whether they associated these conditions to their self-perceived creativity improvement. Questionnaires were administered to 38 students enrolled in two educational game development programs. Findings suggest that video game development creates a remarkable setting to promote and facilitate the expression and development of students’ creativity, due to characteristics of the task and of the work environment generated by this activity.