Assessing Graphic Stories as Indicators of Creative Thinking and Literacy Level among Malaysian Secondary School Students

Abstract

With the current uncertainties of future employment and Malaysian poor literacy rates, effective reading activities, which embed creative thinking, must be reconsidered in teaching and learning. While studies on creative thinking and assessment are available, none considered graphic stories as an assessment of creativity. Based on two short stories, graphic stories produced by secondary school students are assessed for creativity using a rubric of creativity. The assessment consists of four – Novelty, Utility, Aesthetic and Authentic. Findings revealed that Novelty was indicated in the interpretation of the texts to show understanding based on the given resources. Aesthetic was also indicated through the form of graphic stories presented through careful planning. The creative assessment on the participants’ graphic stories provided a glimpse of literacy level among the rural high school students in Malaysia. This paper contributes perspective on creativity among ESL students and guides for further research on literacy in Malaysia.