Investigating Creativity in Computer Science Syllabi in Australia

Educators, including Computer Science (CS) Educators are aware of the importance of creativity skill in graduates for their employability. Focus has been in building a creative and innovative product to determine the creativity skills. However, educators have ignored the importance of providing a social environment to the students for task motivation which will foster creativity in students. This paper presents the study of the course outlines of 19 universities teaching CS in their undergraduate courses across Australia, focusing on how important task motivation is as one of the main components of creative performance. This research has addressed a document analysis on how creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship have been articulated mostly in the final year of study in CS curriculum. CS educators may need to make sure that creativity is addressed in their courses, thus enhancing creativity skills of CS students. Componential framework of creativity has been addressed. Limitations are discussed.