THE ATTITUDES OF PRIMARY SCHOOLS ’ TEACHERS TOWARDS CREATIVE THINKING SKILLS IN CCOMPARISON TO THEIR EDUCATIONAL PRACTICE
This study aims at describing the attitudes of primary schools’ teachers towards creative thinking skills in comparison to their educational practice. To achieve this aim, the researchers conducted a qualitative methodology by applying observations, and semi-structured interviews. The data obtained was analyzed using the grounded theory and the 4Ps theory. The results showed one main theme that teachers have tried to provoke thinking in many ways in addition to 5 sub themes; using different strategies in teaching, building good relationships, using different types of reinforcement, increasing motivation among students, and taking into account the individual differences between students. The observations revealed that teachers have applied various strategies to stimulate the students’ thinking and motivate them to answer and find various responses considering their abilities and individual differences, by using different teaching strategies such as brainstorming, gamification, and group working. Moreover, classroom observations have shown a positive high correlation between teachers' attitudes and the practice of creative thinking in class. Therefore, the researchers recommend stimulating creative thinking among students in various possible ways, including diversifying the use of teaching strategies appropriate to the educational environment, taking into account the individual differences between students and using the appropriate reinforcement for students in terms of quantity and quality.
Keywords: Creative Thinking, Primary Schools, Teaching Strategies.