Students’ Creativity in Virtual vs. Classroom Courses on the Basis of Their Personality Traits: A Prediction Study

Abstract

The present study aims to compare the creativity of students in virtual and classroom courses at University of Isfahan and study its prediction based on the personality traits of these students. The statistical population of the study consisted of all faculty members and students at University of Isfahan in academic year 2017‑2018. Among them, 150 subjects were selected using Morgan Table and random sampling method. The data collection was done through Abedi’s Creativity Questionnaire (1993) and Costa and McCrae Personality Questionnaire (1992). Data were analyzed by T‑test for independent groups, Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis. Results show that there is a significant difference in creativity scores of students attending virtual courses and those attending classroom courses, as well as between female and male students. However, the relationship between personality traits and creativity was significantly stronger among classroom students than the virtual students, and these traits were better predictors of creativity in classroom students than in virtual students. Based on findings, it can be concluded that more usage of the information and communication technologies such as internet, wireless networks, cell phone, etc.(ICTs) by virtual students not only increases their creativity, but also, as an important environmental and intrapersonal factor, affects the relationship between personality traits and creativity among these students and weakens it. This finding shows the great role of acquisitive‑digital factors in students’ creativity.