Hybrid learning environment and the relationship with creative thinking in Mathematics among Malaysian secondary school students

Hybrid learning environments (HLE), which combine traditional face-to-face instruction with online components, have gained significant prominence in modern education, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to this shift, the Malaysian Ministry of Education launched the Program Perintis Sekolah Hybrid (PPSH) in 2020. This study investigates the level of HLE and creative thinking in the selected PPSH schools. In addition, the relationship between HLE and creative thinking in mathematics was also studied. Data was collected from 384 secondary school students using an adopted and validated instrument namely Hybrid Learning and Creative Thinking in Mathematics (HLCTM). The findings demonstrate a statistically significant positive correlation (r = 0.544, p < 0.01) between HLEs and creative thinking, highlighting that well-structured hybrid environments foster creativity by integrating pedagogical, social, and technical design elements. This study contributes to the growing literature on hybrid learning by providing actionable insights for educators and policymakers to optimize its implementation, particularly in mathematics education.