The Direction of Developing Courses and Assessment Tools for Enhancing Creativity Aligned with Critical Thinking

Abstract

The intellectual activities of creativity and critical thinking are essential in the complex problem-solving process of modern society. This article starts from the position that it is necessary to develop courses and assessment tools that is needed for simultaneously facilitating creativity and critical thinking skills at the same time in universities. The purpose of this paper is to provide a starting point for discussion on the development of creative competency courses and assessment tools required to link creativity and critical thinking skills. In Korea, there are many studies dealing with creativity and critical thinking separately, while in foreign countries, there is an active discussion taking place about the development of courses and assessment tools. To this end, based on the creative competency area set as a core competency in the liberal arts education of a university, the discussion was conducted by citing relevant domestic and foreign materials. First, in the process of arranging the connection between creativity and critical thinking, the necessity of linking these two skills to solve creative problems was confirmed. Next, the direction of the development of courses that can foster creativity and critical thinking abilities together was explored, focusing on lesson goals, contents, and methods. In order to simultaneously enhance creativity and critical thinking abilities among our students, it is necessary to design an activity-centered curriculum that combines both skills based on the existing creativity education and critical thinking education. Finally, the method of developing an assessment tool that can authentically measure the students’ creativity and critical thinking ability is described mainly using existing tools and in terms of employing technologies. Research on how to integrate previously developed tools for measuring creativity and measuring critical thinking skills should be continued. In particular, it is necessary to prepare a plan to solve technical problems in order to use technology in the course management and development of assessment tools. Classes for cultivating creativity and critical thinking abilities in our students can be more effective in liberal arts education for the simple reason that lessons within their majors emphasize the acquisition of specialized knowledge. Thus, there is a limit to creative competency education. Since modern and future societies require us to possess the ability to generate creative ideas in abundance in order to solve complex problems, as well as the ability to critically reflect and evaluate ideas and apply them to problem solving, it is urgent to develop courses and assessment tools that can align creativity with critical thinking. Designing effective classes through in-depth discussions on the development of courses and assessment tools remains as a theme for further research.

Analysis of Critical Thinking of Pre-service Biology Teachers in SSI Argumentation Writing of ‘Biology Logic and Essay

“…즉 지식 생산자로서 정보를 취사선택하고, 그 가치를 판단하는 비판적 사고력은 매우 중요한 역량이다 [1]. 비판적 사고는 능동적인 사고 과정으로 정보를 비판적으로 판단하는 능력이므로, 21세기를 살아가는 데 필요한 핵심 역량 중 하나로 인식되고 있다 [2]. 비판적 사고의 정의에 대해서는 다양한 견해가 존재한다.…”