Digital conceptual mapping for enhancing mathematical concept formation and creative mathematical problem-solving through cognitive flexibility skills: a mixed methods study

The study investigates the impact of digital conceptual mapping strategies on the learner’s mathematical academic performance in terms of mathematical concept formation and creative problem-solving skills based on the skill of flexibility. The study sample consisted of (149) learners distributed over three semesters, and the researcher used a mixed-methods research design. The statistical procedures include One-Way ANOVA for the means of the three strategies and the effect size (η2) on the learners’ mathematical academic performance and creative problem-solving in mathematics based on the skill of flexibility after forming mathematical concepts. Results showed that there are statistically significant differences between the three study strategies (conceptual maps from general to specific, conceptual maps from specific to general, and the control group) on the mathematics academic performance related to contemporary mathematical concepts of learners in favor of the two conceptual maps strategies. The magnitude of the effect of the digital conceptual maps strategies on the conceptual formation of study participants was (0.729 – 0.872). The effect size based on the use of digital conceptual mapping strategies on the conceptualization of the solution in creative problem-solving skills based on the skill of flexibility was significant 0.859). The researcher recommended the need to diversify teaching strategies.