Development and Implementation of a Web-based Tool to Support Creative Problem Solving (CPS)

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to develop and implement a web-based support tool to be used in the Creative Problem Solving (CPS) processes, which were integrated with the elementary school social studies classes. The tool design strategies were formed by analyzing the related previous studies. Various teaching models, which were used to enhance the CPS skills and the CPS model based teaching plans for the fifth grade social studies classes, were analyzed. Based on the analysis, a number of design strategies for the web-based support tool were established and also a detailed system specification was developed. The strategies and the specifications were verified by the subject matter experts. The multimedia contents and the teaching materials were also developed and integrated into the tool. The tool was verified again then implemented. The web-based support tool was used in three CPS fifth grade classes for a semester at an elementary school located in Seoul, Korea. By analyzing the data collected from the teacher and student surveys, observations, and focus group interviews, the tool was found to be satisfactory by both teachers and the students. From the problems reported by the study participants, a few improvement suggestions were developed to enhance the tools.