The Study

This study proposes to compare the acquisition of reasoning and creative thinking skills in two groups of students exposed to different pedagogical approaches—one, a constructivist, problem-based, inquiry learning approach; the other, a conventional learning environment. Rather than relying on the results of performance on external tests that may not be comparable from year to year, this study proposes to use widely accepted standardized instruments—The Arlin Test of Formal Reasoning and the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking— to determine the acquisition of reasoning and creative abilities.

Research Questions

Does the treatment group perform differently than the control group on the Torrance Tests of Creativity?

Does the treatment group of students perform differently than the control group on the Arlin Test of Formal Reasoning?