THE EFFECTS OF ENRICHED WORKSHOP TRAINING GIVEN TO PRE-SCHOOL STUDENTS ON CREATIVE THINKING SKILLS OF STUDENTS

Abstract

The aim of the research was to explore the effects of enriched workshop training given to pre-school students on students’ creative thinking skills. The research was conducted during the 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 academic year. The mixed research design was used in the study. On the quantitative stage of the research, a single-group pre-test-posttest experimental design was applied. In order to identify the effects of the enriched training provided at different workshops, students were administered Torrance Test of Creative Thinking (Figural Form) as a pre-test-post-test. The study group of the research was comprised of 129 students in total including 81 students in the first group and 48 students in the second group, all taking training at the “Curious Junior Education Center” supported by Istanbul Development Agency and implemented by Pendik District National Education Directorate. According to the findings obtained from the quantitative method, a variation was identified in the test averages for student creative thinking skills (fluency, originality, elaboration, abstractness of titles, resistance to premature closure) before and after the training. Post-test averages for students’ creative skills increased. Paired samples t test was performed to determine whether or not the variation- increase- was significant. According to the t test result, enriched workshop training affects students’ total creative thinking skills significantly. In other words, enriched workshop training has developed students’ creative thinking skills positively. In the qualitative method, parents, students and teachers reported their views about the quality and effectiveness of the enriched workshop training. Keywords: creative thinking, enriched training, mixed method, workshop training.