Poster #8 - Using a Divergent Thinking Map to Activate Students' Creative Thinking

• In Event: 15.062 - MTCC Poster Session One
  In Poster Session: 15.062-1 - Computer-Based Experts and Models

Abstract

The basis of creativity is the cognitive process that leads to the generation of novel and useful ideas, i.e., divergent thinking. Although cognitive strategies have been proposed to foster idea generation, they are often abstract and difficult to capture. This study proposes a computer-based cognitive mapping approach that makes the divergent thinking strategies accessible to students. The approach enables students to build a cognitive map that can activate divergent thinking by decomposing a concept into rich details for viewing the concept from divergent perspectives, and by associating, combining and making adjustment to concepts or ideas. Using a pre- and post-test control group design, this study has shown promising effects of the approach on improving high school students’ creativity performance.

Authors

• Meng Sun, The University of Hong Kong

• Minhong Wang, The University of Hong Kong

• Jiutong Luo, The University of Hong Kong