What are Primary Teachers’ Beliefs and Practices for Boosting Students Creativity and Critical Thinking Skills in Primary Level?

Authors

  • Sher Alam Khan PhD scholar in Learning Science and Digital Technology, University of Ferrara, Italy
  • Dr. Giorgio Poletti Professor University of Ferrara, Italy
  • Dr. Farooq Nawaz Khan Assistant Prof. University of Swat, Pakistan
  • Zubida Hassan MPhil Scholar Superior University Lahore, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21015/vtess.v11i2.1510

Abstract

Primary teachers play a vital role in fostering creativity and critical thinking skills in their students. By understanding their beliefs and practices, we can gain insight into how to create an environment that supports the development of these skills. Through different activities that promote collaboration, questioning, and creative expression, primary teachers strive to create an atmosphere that encourages students to take risks and explore their own ideas. The study looked into how primary school teachers boost students' creativity and critical thinking skills. What are teachers' beliefs, practices, and understanding of fostering students' creativity and critical thinking in primary education? Teachers have a crucial role in the formation of students' creativity and the development of their critical skills at an early age. For this purpose, the study was carried out in the district of Shangla. The design of the study was quantitative and descriptive in nature. We received a total of 350 questionnaires, of which 320 complete questionnaires regarding primary teachers' beliefs and practices were investigated. The data were collected by a self-developed questionnaire through Google Forms. Primary school teachers believe that developing creativity and critical thinking skills is essential for academic performance and personal growth. They employ a variety of educational strategies, including project-based learning and problem-solving tasks. However, obstacles such as high class sizes and a lack of resources impede implementation. Despite these challenges, there is a link between instructors' focus on creativity and student achievement. This study highlights the importance of teacher professional development programs for creativity and critical thinking instruction. It suggests that understanding teachers' beliefs and practices can inform curriculum development, allowing schools to align educational objectives with real-world demands. The positive correlation between teacher practices and student outcomes emphasizes the significance of cultivating creativity and critical thinking skills in primary education. This contribution to a country's economic and societal competitiveness is substantial

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Published

2023-06-30

How to Cite

Sher Alam Khan, Dr. Giorgio Poletti, Dr. Farooq Nawaz Khan, & Zubida Hassan. (2023). What are Primary Teachers’ Beliefs and Practices for Boosting Students Creativity and Critical Thinking Skills in Primary Level?. VFAST Transactions on Education and Social Sciences, 11(2), 244–251. https://doi.org/10.21015/vtess.v11i2.1510

Issue

Vol. 11 No. 2 (2023): April-June

Section

Articles

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