Creative Educational Experiences in the Narratives of University Students

Abstract Creative experiences are novel encounters between people and the world. In an educational context, it is important to encourage creative experiences. This study aims to analyse creative experiences in formal and non-formal educational institutions from the perspective of university students. The aim is to understand the particularities of these experiences and how creative learning is constructed. This qualitative study employs a phenomenological methodological approach to understand creative experiences from the students’ perspective. A questionnaire, consisting of open-ended questions, was used to collect qualitative data. As part of the questionnaire, participants were asked to describe a creative educational experience. A convenience sample of 125 students from the National University of Río Cuarto was selected. A thematic analysis was conducted using Atlas.ti. The analysis’s quality was ensured through inter-researcher triangulation and communicative validity. Three general categories were constructed from the coding: particularities of experience; arguments about creativity; and learning outcome. A comparative cross-sectional analysis is also presented. Creative experiences promote autonomy and the development of agency, facilitating decision-making, exploration, product creation, and problem-solving. These experiences draw upon diverse knowledge and promote collaborative work. The analyses revealed two cross-cutting themes: the articulation between theory and practice, and the value of emotions in creativity. University plays a pivotal role in fostering creative learning experiences. It is crucial to develop systematic educational innovations that encourage creative learning throughout undergraduate education.