THE IMPACT OF AN ENRICHMENT PROGRAM ON UAE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS’ CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS

Abstract

Training human resources to be creative and innovate in the UAE had become a significant matter recently to stay within the stage of progressing towards a more dependable economy rather than oil. Gifted and talented individuals are the country\u27s main resources, and way to progress. This study, therefore, aims to explore the impact of an enrichment program on improving UAE high school gifted students’ creative problem-solving skills. The sample included 78 gifted students from Abu Dhabi government schools. The students were grouped randomly into a control group (27 students), and an experimental group (30 students) who were exposed to a five-week enrichment program through which they practiced various strategies including SCAMPER strategy. To answer the research questions, two instruments were used including Problem-Solving Questionnaire (PSQ) and SCAMPER test. Pre and posttests were analyzed using independent samples T-test to examine the effect of the enrichment program on the participants’ level of awareness of problem solving skills and on their creative problem-solving skills. Findings of this study indicated that the enrichment program produced significant improvements in high school gifted students’ creative problem-solving skills. Additionally, the awareness level of the experimental group in the problem-solving steps is significantly higher after the program. School administrators and teachers should consider using the direct instruction and SCAMPER strategies to enhance their students ‘creative problem-solving skills

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