Thinking Skills Infusion of Creativity Development for 21st Century Learning

To provide enlightenment regarding a newly proposed graphic design course framework based on competency, it would be helpful to conduct an analysis on the current Malaysian instructional approaches to match the 21st Century learning trends. This study suggests that the flexibility and the multiple dimensions of assessments in graphic design learning should be taken into consideration. The revised instruction framework should focus on learners’ creativity, ownership and real-world problem-solving skills, as well as the ability to communicate and collaborate. Giridharan’s report (2017) suggested that there is a necessity to update the curriculum to prepare the students for the upcoming challenges, especially in the era of IR 4.0. Integrated Creative Activity Instruction (ICAI) is the recommended solution for the next generation graphic design learning with problem-based learning as key vehicle. ICAI framework was developed and designed based on James Gibson’s (1986) Affordance Theory and Robert Marzano’s (2000) New Thinking taxonomy. It is imperative to implement new ICAI pedagogy in order to infuse creative and critical thinking into the course curriculum to produce graduates who will be in line with the industry and professional demands. There are three stages in this study, Needs Analysis, Pilot Test, and ICAI Evaluation. Final stage of ICAI evaluation has proven that the newly proposed framework is able to stimulate academic performance of average and low achievers for better learning satisfaction and creativity development in graphic design context. Research findings have proven that high creativity is parallel with higher learning satisfaction and performance in graphic design learning.