This is the (virtual) inaugural event in The Richard Noss Lectures, providing insights on technology and learning, with the UCL Knowledge Lab.

Professor Mitchel Resnick, director of the Lifelong Kindergarten research group at the MIT Media Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, launches the series with his online lecture on 'Sowing the seeds for a more creative society.'

The world is changing more rapidly than ever before. Today’s children will confront a never-ending stream of unknown, uncertain, and unpredictable situations throughout their lives. Their success and happiness will depend upon their ability to think and act creatively.

But there is a problem. Most of today’s educational systems and technologies are not designed to foster creative thinking.

This lecture will consider technologies and strategies for engaging all young people, from all backgrounds, in creative learning experiences, by expanding opportunities for them to work on projects, based on their passions, in collaboration with peers, in a playful spirit.

It will focus especially on examples from the Scratch programming language and online community, developed by Professor Resnick’s research group at the MIT Media Lab.