How could the Presentation of a Geometrical Task Influence Student Creativity?

This study aims to investigate high school students’ geometry learning by focusing on mathematical creativity and its relationship with visualisation and geometrical figure apprehension. The presentation of a geometrical task and its influence on students’ mathematical creativity is the main topic investigated. The authors combine theory and research in mathematical creativity, considering Roza Leikin’s research work on Multiple-Solution Tasks with theory and research in visualisation and geometrical figure apprehension, mainly considering Raymond Duval’s work. The relations between creativity, visualization and geometrical figure apprehension are examined through four Geometry Multiple-Solution Tasks given to high school students in Greece. The geometrical tasks are divided into two categories depending on whether their wording is accompanied by the relevant figure or not. The results of the study indicate a multidimensional character of relations among creativity, visualization and geometrical figure apprehension. Didactical implications and future research opportunities are discussed.

Unpacking The Relation Between Spatial Abilities and Creativity in Geometry

This study aims to examine the relation between spatial ability and creativity in Geometry. Data was collected from 94 ninth graders. Three spatial abilities were investigated: spatial visualization, spatial relations and closure flexibility. As for students' creativity, it was examined through a multiple solution problem in Geometry focusing on three components of creativity: fluency, flexibility, and originality. The results revealed that spatial visualization predicted flexibility and originality while closure flexibility predicted all creativity components. Additionally, it was deduced that auxiliary constructions played an essential role in the problem-solution process. Finally, further study opportunities for the teaching and learning of Geometry are discussed.

Multiple-Solution Tasks in Pre-Service Teachers Course on Combinatorics

In the paper, we present a study devoted to the utilization of multiple-solution tasks (MSTs) in combinatorics as a part of a pre-service teachers course on didactics of mathematics from the view of the mathematics teachers’ specialized knowledge (MTSK) theoretical framework. The study was carried out over the standard course of a summer semester in 2021. The course was attended by 13 pre-service teachers (PSTs). It was carried out online, due to COVID-19 restrictions. Ten combinatorial multiple-solution tasks were assigned to the PSTs. Analyzing pre-service teachers solutions to these tasks, we sought the description and better understanding of the combinatorial knowledge of the topic from the perspective of MSTK. The results revealed some critical aspects of mathematical knowledge in combinatorics that pre-service teachers education should focus on.

A Systematic Literature Review: Discipline-Specific and General Instructional Practices Fostering the Mathematical Creativity of Students

The purpose of this systematic review is to reveal the research findings that suggest instructional practices to foster the creativity of students in mathematics. Although several studies have investigated the effects of various instructional practices influencing the mathematical creativity of students, little is known about how the findings of this collective body of research contribute to the understanding of what instructional practices should be integrated into a mathematic classroom to further foster the mathematical creativity of students. In this systematic review, the knowledge of instructional practices that foster the mathematical creativity of students were categorized under two main factors including: 1) discipline-specific instructional practices and 2) general instructional practices. The discipline-specific instructional practices were problem-solving, problem-posing, open-ended questions, multiple solution tasks, tasks with more than one correct answer, modeling/model-eliciting activities, technology integration, extendable tasks, and emphasizing abstractness of mathematics. The general instructional practices were providing students with ample time to think creatively about real-world related mathematical problems in a judgment free and collaborative classroom environment so that they take risks to share their mathematical ideas and use informal words. Integrating all of these instructional practices into mathematics classrooms can provide opportunities for students to discover their potential creative abilities in mathematics.