The purpose of this study was to synthesize recent research results of creativity program in kindergarten studies conducted in Korea, using meta-analysis technique. Therefore, this study was to draw general conclusions from studies on the effect of cr...
The purpose of this study was to synthesize recent research results of creativity program in kindergarten studies conducted in Korea, using meta-analysis technique. Therefore, this study was to draw general conclusions from studies on the effect of creativity program in kindergarten on their creativity. In order to attain the above purpose, this study established the following two research problems on the basis of theoretical grounds:
1. What is the overall average effect size(ES) of creativity program on the creativity of kindergarten children?
2. What is the potential moderator variables of the effect of creativity program in kindergarten on their creativity. This study examined publication variable, types of instruments variable, design variable.
As a result of systematically scanning for master's thesis, doctoral dissertations and journals, the 241 findings of the 241 studies were obtained for final analysis focusing on effectiveness of kindergarten on their creativity from 1998 to February 2007.
The findings were transformed into effect sizes. The formula used to compute the effect sizes may be found in Hedges and Olkin(1985). To guard against spurious findings, researcher adjusted for effect size outliers. And, this study calculated a fail-safe sample size.
Researcher also examined the effects of various moderators. To test hypothesized moderators, researcher used Hedges and Olkin's(1985) categorical fixed effects model. To interpret obtained weighed mean of effect size, researcher not only calculated overlap and 95% confidence interval but also used to criterion by Cohen(1988).
The major findings of study were as follows:
First, as for improvement of the creativity of kindergarten children, the overall weighted mean effect size of creativity program turned out to be 1.16, and according to Cohen(1998)'s effect size interpretation criteria, this effect size was great, since it's above .80. The percentile of nonoverlap(U3) was 87.7 percentile. When it's assumed that the collective average of control group was 50 percent in a normal distribution curve, that of experimental group stood at 87.7 percent, which showed that groups exposed to creativity programs made a 37.7 precent higher progress.
Secondly, the intervening variables which influence of the effect of creativity program in kindergarten on their creativity were as follows. Among publication variables, publication's period and degree were significant moderators of outcome, such that studies with recent research result(2004-2007), and degree of thesis(dissertations) had stronger effect sizes than did the others.
Thirdly, among types of instrument variables and factor of instrument were significant moderators of outcome, such that studies with K-CCTYC(Korean Comprehensive Creativity Test for Young Children) and imagination include, openness not include, elaboration not include, abstractness of titles not include of factor on creativity instrument had stronger effect sizes than did the others.
Lastly, Among design variables, type of creativity program, length of experimental period were significant moderators of outcome, such that studies with creative art activities, from sixth to ninth week had stronger effect sizes than did the others.
Consequently, creativity program are effective teaching method which affects on kindergarten children's creativity. But, the effectiveness of instruction depends on the context variables. Therefore, if teacher intends to creativity program, they consider the following context variables such as aim of education, curriculum, instructional goal and other context.