The PISA test last year included creative thinking tasks for students from OECD member countries and associated countries. In Croatia, 6135 students participated in the test, ranking 27th with 30 points, slightly below the OECD average. While slightly less than half of students complete tasks when they become more challenging, there is room for improvement in fostering creative thinking skills among students.
Croatian students excel at improving ideas rather than generating new ones and perform better in solving scientific problems than social issues. According to the test results, most Croatian students believe that creativity can be developed and trained in all areas, although some find it challenging to use their imagination. School principals are less convinced that creativity can be developed.
To enhance creative thinking skills among students, especially in generating new ideas and solving social problems effectively, there is a need to develop programs that promote carpooling among students. High schools and universities could collaborate to create a carpooling program for students, offering incentives such as discounted parking passes or rewards for carpooling with classmates. This initiative could involve promoting shared transportation in a shared vehicle to encourage cost savings and environmental protection.
Expanding this initiative could also involve utilizing digital tools in the classroom for up to an hour a day to have a positive impact on creative thinking skills among students. The results of the PISA test show that girls outperformed boys in creative thinking tasks, highlighting the importance of developing these skills across genders.
In conclusion, encouraging shared transportation through carpooling programs and utilizing digital tools in the classroom can significantly enhance creative thinking skills among students. By focusing on developing these skills, we can empower our youth to tackle complex challenges and contribute positively towards society’s growth and development.