Developing Learner-Centered Activities to Enhance the Divergent Thinking of ESL Students at the Primary School Level
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Published:
Aug 15, 2018
Keywords:
creativity divergent thinking english language learning primary school level
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Abstract
This research aims to (1) study the effectiveness of promoting the divergent thinking of primary school students through learner-centered activities and (2) investigate students’ capacity for expressing creativity before and after the implementation of the learner-centered activities. Five Year 3 ESL students from an international school based in Chiang Mai, with a British program, participated in the study. It is a case study, where two groups of instruments were used. The first group includes needs analysis and learning activities of 23 hours. The later is for data collection consistent of classroom observation, experts’ evaluation of students’ end products, Instances Test, and teachers’ evaluation of students’ creativity.
The findings show that (1) primary level students’ divergent thinking skills expressed through the use of vocabularies and phrases in English increased to average level after the implementation of the student-centered activities and (2) students’ capacity reflected from the Instances Tests were gradually increased after the implementation of the learner-centered activities and it was changed in a high level based from the teachers’ evaluation of students’ creativity. The results of this study showed that ESL students in primary level were very creative and were capable of thinking of a higher number of vocabulary, expressions and ideas through the implementation of the student-centered activities.
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Möhler, T. A. (2018). Developing Learner-Centered Activities to Enhance the Divergent Thinking of ESL Students at the Primary School Level. PAYAP UNIVERSITY JOURNAL, 23(1), 97–132. Retrieved from https://so05.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/pyu/article/view/140350
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Research Articles
References
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Graves, K. (2000). Assessing Needs. In K. Graves, Desiging Language Courses (pp. 97-121). Boston: Thomson Heinle.
Guilln, M. T., & Bermejo, M. L. (2011). Creative Writing for Language, Content and Literacy Teaching. ProQuest Education Journals, 39-46.
Harrington, D. M. (1990). The Ecology of Human Creativity: A Psychological Perspective. In M. A. Runco, & R. S. Albert, Theories of Creativity (pp. 143- 169). Newbury Park: Sage Publications.
Helson, R. (1990). Creativity in Woman: Outer and Inner Views Over Time. In M. A. Runco, & R. S. Albert, Theories of Creativity (pp. 46-58). Newbury Park: Sage Publications.
Improve the education system. (2012, May 27). Bangkok Post .
James, M. (2010, February 1). Creative Thinking: Diverge and Converge. Retrieved April 21, 2012, from Creative Emergence: http://creativeemergence.typepad.com/the_fertile_unknown/2 010/02/creative-thinking-diverge-and-converge.html.
Jones, L. (2007). The Student-Centered Classroom. New York: Cambridge University Press.
Kaewmala. (2012, February 23). Thai Education Failures - Part 1: Ridiculous O-NET questions. Asian Correspondent.
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Katz, A., & Popovic, R. (2010, May 5). Assessment for Learning with Young Learners.
Kaufman, J. C., Plucker, J. A., & Baer, J. (2008). Essentials of Creativity Assessment. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons.
Keller-Mathers, D.S. (2011). Creativity 101: Creativity Education. New York.
Ketudat, P. D. (1996). Thai Education in the Era of Globalization: Vision of a Learning Society. Report Synopsis.
Milgram, R. M. (1990). Creativity: An Idea Whose Time Has Come and Gone? In M. A. Runco, & R. S. Albert, Theories of Creativity (pp. 215-233). Newbury Park: Sage Publications.
Mounier, A., & Tangchuang, P. (2010). Education and Knowledge in Thailand - The Quality Controversy. Chiang Mai: Silkworm Books.
Murdoch, K., & Wilson, J. (2008). Creating a Leaner-centred Primary Classroom. New York: Routledge. News from UNESCO Bangkok. (2011, September 16). Retrieved July 10, 2012, from UNESCO Bangkok: http://www.unescobkk.org/news/article/thai-educational-system-fails-the-test/
O'Neill, G., & McMahon, T. (2005). Student-Centred Learning: What Does it Mean for Students and Lecturers? Dublin: University College Dublin. Phialvalve. (2011, May 4). What is Creativity and Divergent Thinking? New York.
Prtljaga, J. (2008, November 22). Fostering Creativity and Figurative Thinking in English Language Classroom.
Richards, J. C. (2001). Needs Analysis. In J. C. Richards, Curriculum Development in Language Teaching (pp. 51-88). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Robinson, K. (2011). Out of Our Minds: Learning to be Creative. Captsone Publishing.
Robinson, S. K. (2009, September). Why Creativity Now? A Conversation with Sir Ken Robinson. Teaching for the 21st Century, 22-26. (A. M. Azzam, Interviewer)
Runco, M. A. (1991). Divergent Thinking. Norwood: Ablex Publishing Corporation.
Runco, M. A. (1990). Implicit Theories and Ideational Creativity. In M. A.
Runco, & R. S. Albert, Theories of Creativity (pp. 234-252). Newbury Park: Sage Publications.
Runco, M. A., & Albert, R. S. (1990). Theories of Creativity. Newbury Park: Sage Publications.
Sahlberg, P. (2011). Finnish Lessons - What can the world learn from educational change in Finland? Amsterdam: Teacher College Press.
Shively, C. H. (2011, May). Grow Creativity! Learning and Leading with Technology, 10-15.
Simonton, D. K. (1990). History, Chemistry, Psychology, and Genius: An Intellectual Autobiography of Historiometry. In M. A. Runco, & R. S. Albert, Theories of Creativity (pp. 92-115). Newbury Park: Sage Publications.
Thomas, A., & Thorne, G. (2009). How to Increase Higher Order Thinking. Retrieved March 20, 2012, from Center for Development and Learning : http://www.cdl.org/resource-library/articles/ HOT.php?type=subject&id=18.
Thornbury, S. (2006). An A-Z of ELT. Oxford: Macmillan Education.
Trivitayakhun, P. (2010, February 23). Dare to teach, lead to learn. Bangkok Post.
Trivitayakhun, P. (2010, March 24). Immersion in English. Bangkok Post.
Wang. (2010, October 29). Divergent and Creative Thinking. Retrieved April 21, 2012, from Cooler Insights: http://coolinsights.blogspot.com/2010/10/divergent-and-creative-thinking.html
Wood, E. (2009). Play and playfulness in the Early Years Foundation Stage . In A. Wilson, Creativity in Primary Education (pp. 47-57). Glasgow: Learning Matters.
Albert, R. S. (1990). Identity, Experiences, and Career Choice Among the Exceptionally Gifted and Eminent. In M. A. Runco, & R. S. Albert, Theories of Creativity (pp. 13-34). Newbury Park: Sage Publications.
Amabile, T. M. (1990). Within You, Without You: The Social Psychology of Creativity, and Beyond. In M. A. Runco, & R. S. Albert, Theories of Creativity (pp. 61-91). Newbury Park: Sage Publications.
Attard, A., Di Iorio, E., Geven, K., & Santa, R. (2010, October). Student-Centred Learning—Toolkit for students, staff and higher education institutions. Brussels.
Bartel, M. (2008, August 23). Nurturing divergent thinking in studio art classes. Retrieved April 21, 2012, from Stereotypes and Divergent Thinking: http://people.goshen.edu/~marvinpb/ 11-13-01/Effects-of-Stereotypes.html.
Basic Education Curriculum B.E. 2544 (A.D. 2001). Education Curriculum, Ministry of Education, Department of Curriculum and Instruction Development, Bangkok.
Bosch, N. (2008, September 19). Rubric for Creative Thinking Skills Evaluation. Retrieved June 20, 2012, from A Different Place: http://www.adifferentplace.org/creativethinking.htm.
Brenneis, D. (1990). Musical Imaginations: Comparative Perspectives on Musical Creativity. In M. A. Runco, & R. S. Albert, Theories of Creativity (pp. 170-189). Newbury Park: Sage Publications.
Bunnag, S. (2010, June 08). Teachers fail exams on own subjects. Bangkok Post.
Byrd, A. H. (2009). Learning to Learn Cooperatively. English Teaching Forum, 47 (4), 18-21, 28.
Cameron, L. (2006). Creativity in the language classroom. The IATEFL Young Learners 9-11.
Chaihiranwatana, M., & Nookua, S. An Investigation on Engish Language Learning Attitudes of Siam University Students.
Collins, J. W., & O'Brien, N. P. (2003). Greenwood Dictionary of Education.
Connors, A. F. (2010). Teaching Creativity - Supporting, Valuing, and Inspiring Young Children's Creative Thinking . Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Whitmore Publishing.
Craft, A. (2005). Setting the Scene. In A. Wilson, Creativity in Primary Education. Glasgow: Learning Matters Ltd.
Cremin, T. (2009). Creative Teachers and Creative Teaching. In A. Wilson, Creativity in Primary Education (pp. 36-46). Glasglow: Learning Matters.
Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1990). The Domain of Creativity. In M. A. Runco, & R. S. Albert, Theories of Creativity (pp. 190-212). Newbury Park: Sage Publications.
Dudley-Evans, T., & John, M. J. (1998). Needs Analysis and Evaluation. In T. Dudley-Evans, & M. J. John, Developments in English for Specific Purposes (pp. 121-144). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Eaude, T. (2009). Creativity and spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. In A. Wilson, Creativity in Primary Education (pp. 58-67). Glasgow: Learning Matters. English Dictionary. (2006). London: Penguin Books.
Epstein, R. (1990). Generativity Theory and Creativity. In M. A. Runco, & R. S. Albert, Theories of Creativity (pp. 116-140). Newbury Park: Sage Publications.
Espinosa, L. M., & Lopez, M. L. (2007, August 11). Assessment Considerations for Young English Language Learners Across Different Levels of Accountability.
Faryadres, F., & Iavasani, M. G. Relationship between Creativity and Language Learning Strategies in Adults Learners. ICT for Language Learning. Tehran.
Fernquest, J. (2011, April 20). Shockingly low college admission test scores. Bangkok Post .
Froyd, J., & Simpson, N. (2010). Student-Centered Learning Addressing Faculty Questions about Student-centered Learning. Texas.
Garaigordobil, M., & Berrueco, L. (2011). Effects of a Play Program on Creative Thinking of Preschool Children. ProQuest Social Science Journals, 608-618.
Gazzana, M. (2011, October 3). Creativity in English language teaching.
Gedo, J. E. (1990). More on Creativity and Its Vicissitudes. In M. A. Runco, & R. S. Albert, Theories of Creativity (pp. 35-45). Newbury Park: Sage Publications.
Gomez, J. G. (2007). What Do We Know About Creativity? The Journal of Effective Teaching, 7 (1), 31-43.
Gonzales, M. J. (2010, July 27). Keys to language acquisition. Bangkok Post.
Graves, K. (2000). Assessing Needs. In K. Graves, Desiging Language Courses (pp. 97-121). Boston: Thomson Heinle.
Guilln, M. T., & Bermejo, M. L. (2011). Creative Writing for Language, Content and Literacy Teaching. ProQuest Education Journals, 39-46.
Harrington, D. M. (1990). The Ecology of Human Creativity: A Psychological Perspective. In M. A. Runco, & R. S. Albert, Theories of Creativity (pp. 143- 169). Newbury Park: Sage Publications.
Helson, R. (1990). Creativity in Woman: Outer and Inner Views Over Time. In M. A. Runco, & R. S. Albert, Theories of Creativity (pp. 46-58). Newbury Park: Sage Publications.
Improve the education system. (2012, May 27). Bangkok Post .
James, M. (2010, February 1). Creative Thinking: Diverge and Converge. Retrieved April 21, 2012, from Creative Emergence: http://creativeemergence.typepad.com/the_fertile_unknown/2 010/02/creative-thinking-diverge-and-converge.html.
Jones, L. (2007). The Student-Centered Classroom. New York: Cambridge University Press.
Kaewmala. (2012, February 23). Thai Education Failures - Part 1: Ridiculous O-NET questions. Asian Correspondent.
Kaewmala. (2012, February 27). Thai Education Failures - Part 2: Test Scores, Standards and Accountability. Asian Correspondent.
Kaewmala. (2012, March 01). Thai Education Failures - Part 3: PISA Scores & a Challenge for the 21st Century. Asian Correspondent.
Kaewmala. (2012, March 21). Thai Education Failures - Part 4: Dismail English-language Training. Asian Correspondent.
Katz, A., & Popovic, R. (2010, May 5). Assessment for Learning with Young Learners.
Katz, A., & Popovic, R. (2010, May 5). Assessment for Learning with Young Learners.
Kaufman, J. C., Plucker, J. A., & Baer, J. (2008). Essentials of Creativity Assessment. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons.
Keller-Mathers, D.S. (2011). Creativity 101: Creativity Education. New York.
Ketudat, P. D. (1996). Thai Education in the Era of Globalization: Vision of a Learning Society. Report Synopsis.
Milgram, R. M. (1990). Creativity: An Idea Whose Time Has Come and Gone? In M. A. Runco, & R. S. Albert, Theories of Creativity (pp. 215-233). Newbury Park: Sage Publications.
Mounier, A., & Tangchuang, P. (2010). Education and Knowledge in Thailand - The Quality Controversy. Chiang Mai: Silkworm Books.
Murdoch, K., & Wilson, J. (2008). Creating a Leaner-centred Primary Classroom. New York: Routledge. News from UNESCO Bangkok. (2011, September 16). Retrieved July 10, 2012, from UNESCO Bangkok: http://www.unescobkk.org/news/article/thai-educational-system-fails-the-test/
O'Neill, G., & McMahon, T. (2005). Student-Centred Learning: What Does it Mean for Students and Lecturers? Dublin: University College Dublin. Phialvalve. (2011, May 4). What is Creativity and Divergent Thinking? New York.
Prtljaga, J. (2008, November 22). Fostering Creativity and Figurative Thinking in English Language Classroom.
Richards, J. C. (2001). Needs Analysis. In J. C. Richards, Curriculum Development in Language Teaching (pp. 51-88). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Robinson, K. (2011). Out of Our Minds: Learning to be Creative. Captsone Publishing.
Robinson, S. K. (2009, September). Why Creativity Now? A Conversation with Sir Ken Robinson. Teaching for the 21st Century, 22-26. (A. M. Azzam, Interviewer)
Runco, M. A. (1991). Divergent Thinking. Norwood: Ablex Publishing Corporation.
Runco, M. A. (1990). Implicit Theories and Ideational Creativity. In M. A.
Runco, & R. S. Albert, Theories of Creativity (pp. 234-252). Newbury Park: Sage Publications.
Runco, M. A., & Albert, R. S. (1990). Theories of Creativity. Newbury Park: Sage Publications.
Sahlberg, P. (2011). Finnish Lessons - What can the world learn from educational change in Finland? Amsterdam: Teacher College Press.
Shively, C. H. (2011, May). Grow Creativity! Learning and Leading with Technology, 10-15.
Simonton, D. K. (1990). History, Chemistry, Psychology, and Genius: An Intellectual Autobiography of Historiometry. In M. A. Runco, & R. S. Albert, Theories of Creativity (pp. 92-115). Newbury Park: Sage Publications.
Thomas, A., & Thorne, G. (2009). How to Increase Higher Order Thinking. Retrieved March 20, 2012, from Center for Development and Learning : http://www.cdl.org/resource-library/articles/ HOT.php?type=subject&id=18.
Thornbury, S. (2006). An A-Z of ELT. Oxford: Macmillan Education.
Trivitayakhun, P. (2010, February 23). Dare to teach, lead to learn. Bangkok Post.
Trivitayakhun, P. (2010, March 24). Immersion in English. Bangkok Post.
Wang. (2010, October 29). Divergent and Creative Thinking. Retrieved April 21, 2012, from Cooler Insights: http://coolinsights.blogspot.com/2010/10/divergent-and-creative-thinking.html
Wood, E. (2009). Play and playfulness in the Early Years Foundation Stage . In A. Wilson, Creativity in Primary Education (pp. 47-57). Glasgow: Learning Matters.