Review

Creative thinking in education: A comprehensive review on theory, instruction, and assessment

Number: Advanced Online Publication Early Pub Date: May 22, 2026
EN

Creative thinking in education: A comprehensive review on theory, instruction, and assessment

Abstract

Creative thinking has long been the subject of growing interest in many fields as a multidimensional skill that refers to individuals' capacity to generate original, flexible, and functional ideas. Recognized as a skill that must be acquired through education, creative thinking is also one of the life skills of the 21st century. Based on the knowledge that every individual has creative potential, educational environments that support creative thinking, creative teachers, and the educational measurement of creative thinking form the framework of this study. The aim of this review study is to examine the theoretical foundations of creative thinking, measurement approaches, and their reflections in educational environments within a holistic framework. The study comprehensively examines the definitions and theoretical models of creative thinking, the tools used to measure creative thinking skills, and the characteristics of learning environments that support creative thinking. The study reveals that creative thinking is not limited to individual potential but is shaped by the pedagogical environment and assessment culture, offering practical insights for teachers and researchers.

Keywords

Creative Thinking, Creative Instruction, Creative Classrooms, Measurement Tools for Creative Thinking, Creative Teacher

Ethical Statement

Since it is a theoretical based review study, the current study does not require ethics committee approval.

References

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APA
Kula Kartal, S., Aslan, Y., & Çöğmen, S. (2026). Creative thinking in education: A comprehensive review on theory, instruction, and assessment. International Journal of Turkish Education Sciences, Advanced Online Publication. https://doi.org/10.46778/goputeb.1778627
AMA
1.Kula Kartal S, Aslan Y, Çöğmen S. Creative thinking in education: A comprehensive review on theory, instruction, and assessment. IJTES. 2026;(Advanced Online Publication). doi:10.46778/goputeb.1778627
Chicago
Kula Kartal, Seval, Yasemin Aslan, and Suna Çöğmen. 2026. “Creative Thinking in Education: A Comprehensive Review on Theory, Instruction, and Assessment”. International Journal of Turkish Education Sciences, no. Advanced Online Publication. https://doi.org/10.46778/goputeb.1778627.
EndNote
Kula Kartal S, Aslan Y, Çöğmen S (May 1, 2026) Creative thinking in education: A comprehensive review on theory, instruction, and assessment. International Journal of Turkish Education Sciences Advanced Online Publication
IEEE
[1]S. Kula Kartal, Y. Aslan, and S. Çöğmen, “Creative thinking in education: A comprehensive review on theory, instruction, and assessment”, IJTES, no. Advanced Online Publication, May 2026, doi: 10.46778/goputeb.1778627.
ISNAD
Kula Kartal, Seval - Aslan, Yasemin - Çöğmen, Suna. “Creative Thinking in Education: A Comprehensive Review on Theory, Instruction, and Assessment”. International Journal of Turkish Education Sciences. Advanced Online Publication (May 1, 2026). https://doi.org/10.46778/goputeb.1778627.
JAMA
1.Kula Kartal S, Aslan Y, Çöğmen S. Creative thinking in education: A comprehensive review on theory, instruction, and assessment. IJTES. 2026. doi:10.46778/goputeb.1778627.
MLA
Kula Kartal, Seval, et al. “Creative Thinking in Education: A Comprehensive Review on Theory, Instruction, and Assessment”. International Journal of Turkish Education Sciences, no. Advanced Online Publication, May 2026, doi:10.46778/goputeb.1778627.
Vancouver
1.Seval Kula Kartal, Yasemin Aslan, Suna Çöğmen. Creative thinking in education: A comprehensive review on theory, instruction, and assessment. IJTES. 2026 May 1;(Advanced Online Publication). doi:10.46778/goputeb.1778627