Generating Creative Scientific Ideas in Collaborative Learning Using Computer-Based Mind Mapping

Abstract

Creativity is widely described as a key 21st-century skill. Science education has emphasized the development of creative ideas or innovative solutions with the support of technology. Several research results have shown that the collaborative learning model is the most widely applied treatment and has proven to awaken students' creative thinking abilities. This study aims to generate scientific creative ideas through scientific creative assignments by applying a computer-based Mind Mapping learning strategy in collaborative learning. This research is an exploratory study investigating how Science Education students engage in tasks to generate scientific creativity with technological support, specifically how they generate ideas in small groups by applying relevant thinking strategies, engaging in social communication, and building computer-based creative ideas. Do high- and low-performing groups differ in their idea-generation process, and if so, what are the differences? Mind mapping to facilitate group thinking. The participants were 16 3rd semester students who worked on a series of scientific creativity tasks in 4 groups. All categories emerged in the conversations, although the percentage of frequency varied. Compared to low-performing groups, high-performing groups engaged more in divergent thinking, mind mapping, and regulative discussions, in addition to making these activities more closely connected with idea generation. These findings have implications for the design of technology-supported educational interventions intended to promote and improve group creativity in science education.