The effect of problem based learning method to creative thinking in visual arts education

Aim of this research is to determine the effects of Problem Based Learning (PDL) method to creative thinking of students in Visual Arts Lesson. Researcher studied with groups of 72 elementary seventh class students of Osman Ülkümen İ.O., Yenimahalle, Ankara in the education year of 2009-2010. In the begining of the research applied Torrance Test of Creative Thinking (TTCT) figural-B form and Problem Solving Inventory (PSI) to present seventh classes as pre-test by the researcher. According to the result of one way ANOVA statictical analysis of pre-tests are not significant difference between seventh classes. Under the result of that ANOVA statictical analysis one of the seventh classes selected (random) as an experiment group and other control group.In the research as measure device pre-test, final test, TTCT Figural A-B forms and PSI were used. TTCT and PSI were applied to both groups by the researcher. Data was analysed at SPSS 11.0 package programme.While the experiment group (n:36) took Visual Arts Lesson with PDL method, the control group (n:36) took same lesson with the traditional method in nine weeks period. In end of the nine weeks applied TTCT Figural A and PSI as final test to both groups.In the final one way ANOVA statictical analysis between experiment group and control group from the point of creative thinking and problem solving was found the significant difference. When look at the results seen that PDL method positive effected creative thinking ability of experiment group students. This result is also valid for problem solving.Key Words: Problem Based Learning, creative thinking, problem solving.