Is There a Relationship between Creativity and Mathematical Creativity?

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the mathematical creativity of individuals who think they have creative thinking skills. Forty-four teachers who work in private schools participated in this study and they have their pedagogical formation training from a public university in order to be a public teacher. Also participants have at least one year of experience. Mixed method research is defined as combining qualitative and quantitative methods, approaches and concepts in successive studies (Creswell, 2003). This study was determined as a mixed method research since data first analyzed by content analysis (qualitative) and then relationship and comparison analysis (quantitative). In order to analyse problem situation of the study, two testing instruments one of which is ready to use were utilized. Problem solving and problem posing test as two items was developed by the researcher. On item was given to participants as a geometry problem in the testing instrument and they were asked to solve this problem by using as many different methods as they can. The other item was given to participants as a semi-structured geometry situation. They were asked to pose as many problems as they can by using this situation. Data obtained from solving draft were divided into categories in terms of flexibility, fluency and originality according to content analysis from qualitative data analyses for each participants. As a result of the study, according to the teachers’ creativity that they stated, we can talk about their mathematical creativity only if they can pose an authentic problem.