Effective Creative Problem-Based Teaching and Learning Best Practices The insightful work of John Hattie has forever changed how students learn to become creative problem-solvers. By Doris Wells-Papanek, MEd Director, Design Learning Network Hattie’s ground-breaking research and synthesis of over 800 meta-analyses has taught us that creative problem-based teaching best practices (effect size, 0.65) are far more effective than creative learning strategies on their own (effect size, 0.35). We now know that well-facilitated creative thinking and problem-solving experiences can have significant impact on student learning outcomes (Hattie, 2009). What level of
impact might creative problem-based teaching and learning have on learners’ Hattie, John. Visible Learning: A Synthesis of over 800 Meta-analyses Relating to Achievement. London: Routledge, 2009. Experiential Learning Yields High Impact on Student Outcomes Creative problem-based teaching and learning best practices effectively prepares students to engage, process, and retain new curriculum via hands-on activities as learners directly address/access thinking and understandings. This mindful approach in turn results in high impact on student learning outcomes. In high contrast, students who are required to engage in accurate scientific (fact-based) information and/or passive (non-interactive) such as videos or conceptual (theoretical) activities/assignments are far are less successful. The
positive effects of creative thinking and problem-solving instructional
strategies are constant across all subject areas, mathematics being the
greatest (0.89), followed by science (0.78), and reading (0.48). Please note
that each discipline integrated the following high-impact learning strategies
into their instructional practices: strategic/reflective thinking,
gathering/defining information, building/showing understanding, and productive
thinking. Creative Problem-Based Instructional Takeaways Teachers who engage their students in critical and innovative thinking experiences throughout the learning process, alongside a sense of purpose, yield the greatest impact on learning:
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