Examining the Impact of an Innovative Instructional Effort on Fifth-Sixth-Seventh Graders' Creative Thinking Abilities

• In Event: Science Teaching and Learning: Curriculum

Abstract

21st century, where creativity is a required need for each nation, requires individuals to find useful, cost effective creative solutions for massive problems. In line with this, many countries, include efforts specifically promoting creativity related skills on educational reform documents, yet they encounter with low measures of creativity scores. Thus, the need for a paradigm change on instructional strategies arise. Our study proposes a model for innovative science learning environments and examine the impact of the designed environments on middle school students’ creative thinking abilities. The participants of the study are n=208, 5th, 6th and 7th graders’ from two public schools located in Turkey. Results show substantial increases on creativity scores and its’ aspects in favor of treatment groups.

Authors

• Ferah Ozer, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

• Nihal Dogan, Abant Izzet Baysal University