Characterization of College Students Creative Mathematical Thinking in Solving Open Ended Problems Based on Cognitive Styles
Sri Rahayuningsih, Toto Nusantara, Abdur Rahman Asari, Hery Susanto

STKIP YPUP Makassar
Universitas Negeri Malang

Abstract

The aim of this study was to characterize college students creative mathematical thinking in solving open-ended problems based on their cognitive styles. Open-ended problems solving sheets and interview guidelines were developed as the instruments to measure the students creative mathematical thinking. Meanwhile, to group students based on their cognitive styles, Group Embedded Figure Test (GEFT) was conducted. The students were categorized into field independent (FI) and field dependent (FD) students. This study employed a descriptive qualitative design. The population of this study consisted of 105 pre-service elementary school teachers who were enrolled in the fifth semester classes at Universitas Muhammadiyah Makassar. In general, the results reported that both the FI and FD students could perform all the aspects of creative mathematical thinking (flexibility and fluency) in solving open ended problems. However, unlike the FD students, the FI students were able to generate more various and unique ideas (more flexible) because they possessed higher spatial reasoning skills. On the other hand, despite mistakes in calculation, the FD students always did an evaluation quickly and fix the answers as soon as possible (fluency)

Keywords: problem solving, open-ended, creative mathematical thinking, cognitive style, field independent, field dependent.

Topic: 1. Mathematics Education