Australian students rank fourth globally in creative thinking according to the latest PISA results, following Singapore, South Korea, and Canada. The assessment also shows improvements in Australia’s performance in maths, science, and reading since the last cycle. Australia now ranks 10th in maths, up from 23rd in 2018, and outperforms the OECD average in reading and science.
Dr. Claire Scoular from ACER emphasizes the importance of integrating creative thinking into the curriculum. She notes that while creative and critical thinking skills are present in education, they are not sufficiently emphasized. Effective teaching of creative thinking involves alternative pedagogical strategies, such as project-based learning and giving students the space to explore and solve complex problems creatively.
Despite the improvements, there is a significant disparity in creative thinking scores between students from disadvantaged backgrounds and their peers, as well as a gender disparity, with high school-aged girls performing better in creative thinking than boys.
Professor David Cropley highlights that both boys and girls start high school with similar creative potential, but this declines more rapidly for boys due to a focus on STEM subjects. He stresses the need to continue prioritizing creativity across the curriculum, especially in the later years of high school, to prepare students for the future of work.
Overall, the findings suggest that while Australia has made a good start in fostering creative thinking, continuous efforts and further research are necessary to understand and nurture this skill effectively.