Enhancing creativity in secondary school mathematics: A quasi-experimental, mixed methods study in Vietnam

Hue Thi Thu Dang, Dien Thi Bui
Vietnam National Institute of Educational Sciences, Vietnam
Thuy Thi Nhan
The University of Melbourne, Australia

This paper presents an experimental design aimed at enhancing creativity in mathematics among secondary school students. The quasi-experimental research was conducted at two urban secondary schools and one rural school in Hanoi and Nam Dinh provinces, Vietnam, involving 229 grade 6 students and three teachers. The study found that creativity-enriched mathematics instruction, grounded in the principles of realistic mathematics education, such as the use of practical contexts, cultivation of students' experiences, provision of self-initiated and collaborative learning opportunities, and didactic orientation, can foster the development of creative competencies in mathematics. Moreover, the research demonstrates the feasibility and effectiveness of implementing creativity-enriched instruction in various school settings. These findings can help raise awareness among educators and inspire them to modify their teaching methods to promote the development of students' creative competencies, which are increasingly critical in the era of the fourth industrial revolution.
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Authors: Dr Hue Thi Thu Dang PhD is the Head of the Department of Quality Assurance of General Education at the Vietnam National Institute of Educational Sciences. Her research interests focus on quality assurance and mathematics education, including curriculum development, teaching methods, and educational assessment. Dr Dang is a prolific author who has written mathematics textbooks for Vietnamese students, as well as many monographs, reference books, and articles on education. Dr Hue has led many education projects of the Ministry of Education and Training aimed at developing students' competence. Her approaches to education have transformed teaching practices and inspired new pedagogical approaches that contribute to enhancing teaching quality. Email: huedtt@vnies.edu.vn Ms Dien Thi Bui MA is the Deputy Head of the Department of Quality Assurance of General Education at the Vietnam National Institute of Educational Sciences. Her expertise lies in education policy, curriculum development, pedagogy, and assessment, with a specific focus on STEM education and transferrable skills within general education. She has participated in many international and national projects that aim to foster students' competency and success. She has authored over 20 papers and book chapters, providing valuable insights into education curriculum, pedagogy, and assessment. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1105-6822 Email: dienbt@vnies.edu.vn Ms Thuy Thi Nhan is currently a PhD candidate at the Assessment Research Centre, The University of Melbourne. Her research interests are in educational measurement, teaching methodology, and language-related policies in higher education settings. She has a career background in English language education and administration in the private education sector in Vietnam. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1675-5956 Email: tnhan@student.unimelb.edu.au Please cite as: Dang, H. T. T., Bui, D. T. & Nhan, T. T. (2023). Enhancing creativity in secondary school mathematics: A quasi-experimental, mixed methods study in Vietnam. Issues in Educational Research, 33(2), 488-509. http://www.iier.org.au/iier33/dang.pdf