Using Model-Eliciting Activities As a Tool to Identify and Develop Mathematically Creative Students

Abstract

Traditional classroom methods for identifying mathematically creative students have been inadequate. Identifying students who could potentially be mathematically creative is instrumental in the development of students and in meeting their affective and educational needs. One prospective identification tool is the use of model-eliciting activities (MEAs). Such activities require student groups to engage in authentic thought-revealing mathematical tasks. Researchers and teachers can use the Quality Assurance Guide, in coordination with components of Krutetskii’s ways of thinking, to assess students’ written products on MEAs. Through examination of group written products from 39 Grades 3 and 6 students over three MEAs, the tasks were recognized as a first step tool to identify mathematically creative students and to develop creativity. One Grade 6 student was identified as possessing mathematically creative qualities, and an analysis showed a mean change in Grade 6 class scores of 1.41 on a 5-point scale during the series of three MEAs.