The Effects of Problem-Based Learning Method in Higher Education on Creative Thinking

Abstract

The underlying principle in problem-based learning (PBL), which is one of the student-centered teaching methods in education, is the development of students' higher-order thinking skills. For this reason, in the PBL process, it is necessary to investigate creative thinking, one of the higher-order thinking skills. The basic purpose of this study is to reveal the effects of PBL method on creative thinking skills. For this purpose, change in the points for creative thinking skills at a university where PBL is implemented was tried to be determined. As the data collecting instrument in this study, Torrance Creative Thinking Test Oral A-B Form was used. The study is descriptive in nature and the sample comprises first grade students (n=73) in the Department of Statistics at Dokuz Eylul University. As a result of the study, an increase in the students' points for their creative thinking skills was observed at the end of the PBL process. In addition, it was determined that fluency, flexibility and originality, which are sub-dimensions of creative thinking skills, differed significantly. Moreover, it can also be said that, as a result of the education given with the scenario, the students approached events in a multi-dimensional way, were able to adapt to the changing situations, and succeeded in improving their view points. (C) 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.