International Journal of Progressive Education
ISSN (Print): 2834-7919 - ISSN (Online): 1554-5210

Research article    |    Open Access
International Journal of Progressive Education 2024, Vol. 20(5) 38-55

Examination of Creative Thinking Skills and Critical Thinking Dispositions of Pre-Service Mathematics Teachers

Hasret Kuşcu & Fatma Erdoğan

pp. 38 - 55   |  DOI: https://doi.org/10.29329/ijpe.2024.1063.4

Publish Date: October 01, 2024  |   Single/Total View: 87/176   |   Single/Total Download: 141/203

PDF Download

Abstract

Creative and critical thinking play a central role in mathematics teaching and learning. These two forms of higher-order thinking contribute to individuals' problem-solving, decision-making, and knowledge generation processes. Teachers, in particular, have a significant role in fostering students' creative and critical thinking. In this context, the purpose of this study is twofold. First, it aims to examine the levels of creative thinking skills (CTSs) and critical thinking dispositions (CTDs) of pre-service mathematics teachers (PSTs), and the potential effects of gender and academic achievement on them. The second aim is to determine the relationship between the CTS and CTD of PSTs. Employing a quantitative research methodology, the study was structured around correlational model. It involved 205 PSTs, using the 'How Creative Are You?' and 'CTD Scale' for data collection. The data were analyzed through descriptive statistics, independent sample t-test, one-way analysis of variance, correlation analysis, and simple linear regression analysis. The findings revealed that the CTS levels of PSTs were above average, while their CTD levels were high. It was determined that CTSs and CTDs of PSTs did not differ significantly according to gender, while they differed significantly according to academic achievement. A medium, positive, and significant correlation was found between CTSs and CTDs of PSTs. Furthermore, CTSs of PSTs were identified as a significant predictor of their CTDs, explaining 23% of the variance in CTDs.

Keywords: Creative Thinking, Critical Thinking, Pre-Service Teacher, Mathematics Education, Higher Education

How to Cite this Article?

APA 7th edition
Kuscu, H., & Erdogan, F. (2024). Examination of Creative Thinking Skills and Critical Thinking Dispositions of Pre-Service Mathematics Teachers. International Journal of Progressive Education, 20(5), 38-55. https://doi.org/10.29329/ijpe.2024.1063.4

Harvard
Kuscu, H. and Erdogan, F. (2024). Examination of Creative Thinking Skills and Critical Thinking Dispositions of Pre-Service Mathematics Teachers. International Journal of Progressive Education, 20(5), pp. 38-55.

Chicago 16th edition
Kuscu, Hasret and Fatma Erdogan (2024). "Examination of Creative Thinking Skills and Critical Thinking Dispositions of Pre-Service Mathematics Teachers". International Journal of Progressive Education 20 (5):38-55. https://doi.org/10.29329/ijpe.2024.1063.4

References
  1. Abraham, A. (2016). Gender and creativity: An overview of psychological and neuroscientific literature. Brain Imaging and Behavior, 10(2), 609–618. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11682-015-9410-8 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  2. Ai, X. (1999). Creativity and academic achievement: An investigation of gender differences. Creativity Research Journal, 12, 329–337. [Google Scholar]
  3. Akın, A., Hamedoğlu, M. A., Arslan, S., Akın, Ü., Çelik, E., Kaya, Ç., & Arslan, N. (2015). The adaptation and validation of the Turkish version of the Critical Thinking Disposition Scale (CTDS). International Journal of Educational Researchers, 6(1), 31-35. [Google Scholar]
  4. Akpur, U. (2020). Critical, reflective, creative thinking and their reflections on academic achievement. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 37, Article 100683. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2020.100683. [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  5. Aksoy, B. (2004). Coğrafya öğretiminde probleme dayalı öğrenme yaklaşımı [Problem-based learning approach in geography teaching] [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. Gazi University. [Google Scholar]
  6. Amabile, T. M., & Khaire, M. (2008). Creativity and the role of the leader. Harvard Business Review, 86, 100– 109. [Google Scholar]
  7. Anderson, R. C., Katz-Buonincontro, J., Bousselot, T., Mattson, D., Beard, N., Land, J., & Livie, M. (2022). How am I a creative teacher? Beliefs, values, and affect for integrating creativity in the classroom. Teaching and Teacher Education, 110, Article 103583. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2021.103583 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  8. As’ari, A. R., Mahmudi, A., & Nuerlaelah, E. (2017). Our prospective mathematic teachers are not critical thinkers yet. Journal on Mathematics Education, 8(2), 145–156. https://doi.org/10.22342/jme.8.2.3961.145- 156 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  9. Baer, J., & Kaufman, J. C. (2008). Gender differences in creativity. The Journal of Creative Behavior, 42(2), 75-105. [Google Scholar]
  10. Baker, M., Rudd, R., & Pomeroy, C. (2001). Relationships between critical and creative thinking. Journal of Southern Agricultural Education Research, 51(1), 173 188. [Google Scholar]
  11. Baumanns, L., & Rott, B. (2024). Problem-posing tasks and their influence on pre-service teachers’ creative problem-posing performance and self-efficacy. Journal of Mathematical Behavior, 73, Article 101130. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmathb.2024.101130 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  12. Biber, A. C., Tuna, A., & Incikabi, L. (2013). An investigation of critical thinking dispositions of mathematics teacher candidates. Educational Research, 4(2), 109-117. [Google Scholar]
  13. Bicer, A., Chamberlin, S. A., Matute, K., Jackson, T., & Krall, G. (2023). The relationship between pre-service teachers’ spatial thinking ability and their mathematical creativity in the context of problem posing. Research in Mathematics Education, 1–25. https://doi.org/10.1080/14794802.2023.2201619 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  14. Bicer, A., Chamberlin, S., & Perihan, C. (2021). A meta-analysis of the relationship between mathematics achievement and creativity. The Journal of Creative Behavior, 55(3), 569-590. https://doi.org/10.1002/jocb.474 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  15. Cenberci, S. (2018). The investigation of the creative thinking tendency of perspective mathematics teachers in terms of different variables. Journal of Education and Training Studies, 6(9), 78-85. [Google Scholar]
  16. Chang, Y., B. D., Chen, H. C., & Chiu, F. C. (2015). Investigating the synergy of critical thinking and creative thinking in the course of integrated activity in Taiwan. Educational Psychology: An International Journal of Experimental, 35(3), 341-360. https://doi:10.1080/01443410.2014.920079 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  17. Christensen, L. B., Johnson, R. B., & Turner, L. A. (2014). Research methods design and analysis (12th Ed.). Pearson. [Google Scholar]
  18. Cropley, A. J. (2003). Creativity in education and learning: A guide for teachers and educators. Psychology Press. [Google Scholar]
  19. Çenberci, I. S., & Yavuz, A. (2018). The correlation between the creative thinking tendency of mathematics teacher candidates and their attitudes towards instructional technologies and material design. World Journal of Education, 8(3), 95-106. https://doi.org/10.5430/wje.v8n3p95 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  20. Dennett, S., & DeDonno, M. (2021). A comparison between Chinese and American male and female college students’ critical thinking dispositions. International Journal of Chinese Education, 10(3), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1177/22125868211046966 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  21. Deringöl, Y. (2017). Determining critical thinking standards of teacher candidates. Igdir University Journal of Social Sciences, 13, 44-65. [Google Scholar]
  22. Ellerton, P. (2015). Metacognition in critical thinking: Some pedagogical imperatives. In M. Davis (Ed.), Palgrave handbook of critical thinking in higher education (pp. 409–426). Palgrave Macmillan. [Google Scholar]
  23. Ennis, R. (2018). Critical thinking across the curriculum: A vision. Topoi, 37(1), 165-184. [Google Scholar]
  24. Erdoğan, F. (2020). The relationship between prospective middle school mathematics teachers’ critical thinking skills and reflective thinking skills. Participatory Educational Research, 7(1), 220-241. https://doi.org/10.17275/per.20.13.7.1 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  25. Erdoğan, F., & Yıldız, F. (2021). Investigation of pre-service mathematics teachers' creative thinking tendencies. International Online Journal of Education and Teaching (IOJET), 8(4), 2297-2316. [Google Scholar]
  26. Facione, P. A. (1990). Critical thinking: A statement of expert consensus for purposes of educational assessment and instruction. California State University. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED315423 [Google Scholar]
  27. Facione, P. A. (2000). The disposition toward critical thinking: Its character, measurement, and relation to critical thinking skill. Informal Logic, 20(1), 61–84. [Google Scholar]
  28. Feldhusen, J. F. (1995). Creativity: A knowledge base, metacognitive skills and personality factors. Journal of Creative Behavior, 29(4), 255-268. [Google Scholar]
  29. Fisher, R. (2013). Teaching thinking (4th Ed.). Bloomsbury Akademic. [Google Scholar]
  30. Foster, N., & Schleicher, A. (2022). Assessing creative skills. Creative Education, 13, 1-29. [Google Scholar]
  31. Fraenkel, J. R., Wallen, N. E., & Hyun, H. H. (2012). How to design and evaluate research in education. McGraw-Hill. [Google Scholar]
  32. George, D., & Mallery, P. (2001). SPSS for windows step by step. (3th Ed.). Allyn and Bacon. [Google Scholar]
  33. Gök, B., & Erdoğan, T. (2011). The investigation of the creative thinking levels and the critical thinking disposition of pre-service elementary teachers. Ankara University Journal of Faculty of Educational Sciences, 44(2), 29-51. [Google Scholar]
  34. Halpern, D. F. (2006). The nature and nurture of critical thinking. In R. Sternberg, R. Roediger, & D. F. Halpern (Eds.), Critical thinking in psychology (pp. 1–14). Cambridge University Press. [Google Scholar]
  35. Halpern, D. F. (2014). Thought and knowledge: An introduction to critical thinking (5th Ed.). Psychology Press. [Google Scholar]
  36. Han, W., & Abdrahim, N. A. (2023). The role of teachers’ creativity in higher education: A systematic literature review and guidance for future research. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 48, Article 101302. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2023.101302 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  37. Incikabi, L., Tuna, A., & Biber, A. C. (2013). An analysis of mathematics teacher candidates critical thinking dispositions and their logical thinking skills. Journal of International Education Research, 9(3), 257-266. [Google Scholar]
  38. Ivcevic, Z., Zyga, O., Hoffmann, D. J., & Palomera, R. (2022). Gender and creative ability: Mean differences and performance variability. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 46, Article 101186. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2022.101186 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  39. Jia, X., Li, W., & Cao, L. (2019). The role of metacognitive components in creative thinking. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 2404. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02404 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  40. Kandemir, M. A. (2017). Investigation of critical thinking tendency levels of classroom and elementary mathematics teacher candidates in terms of some variables. Turkish Studies, 12(6), 453-474. [Google Scholar]
  41. Kaufman, J. C. (2006). Self-reported differences in creativity by gender and ethnicity. Journal of Applied Cognitive Psychology, 20, 1065-1082. https://doi.org/10.1002/acp.1255 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  42. King, P. M., Wood, P. K., & Mines, R. A. (1990). Critical thinking among college and graduate students. Review of Higher Education, 13, 167–186. [Google Scholar]
  43. Kozikoğlu, İ., & Küçük, B. A. (2020). The investigation of the relationship between teachers’ creative thinking tendencies and individual innovativeness characteristics. Journal of Education and Future, 17, 25-37. [Google Scholar]
  44. Krutetskii, V. A. (1968/1976). The psychology of mathematical abilities in schoolchildren (Translated from Russian by J. Teller, Edited by J. Kilpatrick and I. Wirszup). The University of Chicago Press. [Google Scholar]
  45. Le, V. H., & Chong, S. L. (2024). The dynamics of critical thinking skills: A phenomenographic exploration from Malaysian and Vietnamese undergraduates. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 51, Article 101445. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2023.101445 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  46. Leach, B. T. & Good, D. W. (2011). Critical thinking skills as related to university students’ gender and academic discipline, International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 1(21), 100-106. [Google Scholar]
  47. Leikin, R., & Elgrably, H. (2020). Problem posing through investigations for the development and evaluation of proof-related skills and creativity skills of prospective high school mathematics teachers. International Journal of Educational Research, 102, Article 101424. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijer.2019.04.002 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  48. Leikin, R., & Sriraman, B. (2022). Empirical research on creativity in mathematics (education): From the wastelands of psychology to the current state of the art. ZDM – Mathematics Education, 54(1), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11858-022-01340-y [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  49. Lipman, M. (2003). Thinking in education. Cambridge University Press. [Google Scholar]
  50. Liu, Y., & Pásztor, A. (2022). Effects of problem-based learning instructional intervention on critical thinking in higher education: A meta-analysis. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 45, Article 101069. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2022.101069 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  51. Liu, Y., & Pásztor, A. (2023). Survey on the influential demographic factors of Chinese undergraduate students’ critical thinking disposition: Evidence from plausible values. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 50, Article 101397. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2023.101397 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  52. OECD. (2019). PISA 2021 Creative thinking framework: Third draft. OECD Publishing. [Google Scholar]
  53. Pallant, J. (2016). SPSS survival manual: A step by step guide to data analysis using SPSS program (6th Ed.). McGraw-Hill Ediucation. [Google Scholar]
  54. Paul, R., & Elder, L. (2006). Critical thinking: The nature of critical and creative thought, Part II. Journal of Developmental Education, 30(2), 34-35. [Google Scholar]
  55. Peter, E. E. (2012). Critical thinking: Essence for teaching mathematics ans mathematics problem solving skills. African Journal of Mathematics and Computer Science Research, 5(3), 39-43. [Google Scholar]
  56. Romero-Ariza, M., Quesada-Armenteros, A., & Estepa-Castro, A. (2024). Promoting critical thinking through mathematics and science teacher education: The case of argumentation and graphs interpretation about climate change. European Journal of Teacher Education, 47(1), 41-59. https://doi.org/10.1080/02619768.2021.1961736 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  57. Rosa, R., & Clavero, S. (2022). Gender equality in higher education and research. Journal of Gender Studies, 31(1), 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1080/09589236.2022.2007446 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  58. Rott, B. (2021). Inductive and deductive justification of knowledge: epistemological beliefs and critical thinking at the beginning of studying mathematics. Educational Studies in Mathematics, 106(1), 117-132. [Google Scholar]
  59. Runco, M. A. (2007). Creativity, theories, and themes: Research, development, and practice. Elsevier. [Google Scholar]
  60. Schoenfeld, A. H. (2016). Learning to think mathematically: Problem solving, metacognition, and sense making in mathematics (reprint). Journal of Education, 196(2). https://doi.org/10.1177/002205741619600202 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  61. Schoevers, E. M., Kroesbergen, E. H., & Kattou, M. (2018). Mathematical creativity: A combination of domain-general creative and domain-specific mathematical skills. The Journal of Creative Behavior, 54(2), 242-252. https://doi.org/10.1002/jocb.361 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  62. Sebastian, J., & Huang, H. (2016). Examining the relationship of a survey based measure of math creativity with math achievement: Cross-national evidence from PISA 2012. International Journal of Educational Research, 80, 74-92. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijer.2016.08.010. [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  63. Siburian, J., Corebima, A. D., & Saptasari, M. (2019). The correlation between critical and creative thinking skills on cognitive learning results. Eurasian Journal of Educational Research, 19(81), 99-114. [Google Scholar]
  64. Silver, E. A. (1997). Fostering creativity through instruction rich in mathematical problem solving and problem posing. ZDM, 29(3), 75–80. [Google Scholar]
  65. Sosu, E. M. (2013). The development and psychometric validation of a Critical Thinking Disposition Scale. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 9, 107-119. [Google Scholar]
  66. Stoltzfus, G., Nibbelink, B. L., Vredenburg, D., & Hyrum, E. (2011). Gender, gender role, and creativity. Social Behavior and Personality: An International Journal, 39(3), 425-432. https://doi.org/10.2224/sbp.2011.39.3.425 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  67. Taylor, C. L., & Barbot, B. (2021). Gender differences in creativity: Examining the greater male variability hypothesis in different domains and tasks. Personality and Individual Differences, 174. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2021.110661 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  68. Thornhill-Miller, B., Camarda, A., Mercier, M., Burkhardt, J. M., Morisseau, T., Bourgeois-Bougrine, S., Vinchon, F., El Hayek, S., Augereau-Landais, M., & Mourey, F. (2023). Creativity, critical thinking, communication, and collaboration: assessment, certifcation, and promotion of 21st century skills for the future of work and education. Journal of Intelligence, 11(3), 54. https://doi.org/10.3390/jintelligence11030054 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  69. Tishman, S., & Andrade, A. (1996). Thinking dispositions: A review of current theories, practices and issues. Harvard University. [Google Scholar]
  70. Tsai, K. C. (2013). Examining gender differences in creativity. The International Journals of Socail Science, 13(1), 115-122. [Google Scholar]
  71. Urban, M., Děchtěrenko, F., Lukavský, J., Hrabalová, V., Svacha, F., Brom, C., & Urban, K. (2024). ChatGPT improves creative problem-solving performance in university students: An experimental study. Computers & Education, 215, Article 105031. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2024.105031 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  72. Wang, D., & Jia, Q. (2023). Twenty years of research development on teachers’ critical thinking: Current status and future implications-A bibliometric analysis of research articles collected in WOS. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 48, Article 101252. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2023.101252 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  73. Watson, G., & Glaser, E. M. (1980). Critical thinking appraisal. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Inc. [Google Scholar]
  74. Wechsler, S. M., Saiz, C., Rivas, S. F., Vendramini, C. M. M., Almeida, L. S., Mundim, M. C., & Franco, A. (2018). Creative and critical thinking: Independent or overlapping components? Thinking Skills and Creativity, 27, 114–122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2017.12.003 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  75. Whetton, D. A., & Cameron, K. S. (2002). Answers to exercises taken from developing management skills (3th ed.) Northwestern Univercity. [Google Scholar]
  76. World Economic Form. (2020). The future of jobs report 2020. https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Future_of_Jobs_2020.pdf [Google Scholar]
  77. Yang, J., & Zhao, X. (2021). The effect of creative thinking on academic performance: Mechanisms, heterogeneity, and implication. Thinking Skills and Creativity, Article 100831. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2021.100831 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  78. Yorgancı, S. (2016). Critical thinking dispositions of pre-service mathematics teachers. Participatory Educational Research, 3(3), 36-46. [Google Scholar]
  79. Yuan, R., & Liao, W. (2023). Critical thinking in teacher education: Where do we stand and where can we go? Teachers and Teaching, 29(6), 543-552. https://doi.org/10.1080/13540602.2023.2252688 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  80. Yüksel, N. S., Uzun, M. S., & Dost, Ş. (2013). Critical thinking tendencies of prospective mathematics teachers. Hacettepe University Journal of Education, 1, 393-403. [Google Scholar]
  81. Zhan, Z., He, L., & Zhong, X. (2024). How does problem-solving pedagogy affect creativity? A meta-analysis of empirical studies. Frontiers in Psychology, 15, Article 1287082. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1287082 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  82. Zhao, Y., Liu, Y., & Wu, H. (2024). Relationships among critical thinking disposition components of Chinese undergraduates: A moderated mediating effect analysis. International Journal of Educational Research, 124, Article 102306. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijer.2023.102306 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
Meta
Vol. 20 (5)
Download
Metric
History
Related

Volume 20 Issue 5

October 2024

All Manuscript

International Journal of Progressive Education

Copyright © 2025 International Journal of Progressive Education.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. CC BY
All elements of this website were created using the BOQ™ - Intelligent Webverse System.