Creative Thinking and Global Skills in Teacher Education: A Conceptual Perspective on Prospective Teachers

Creative thinking, global skill taxonomy, prospective teachers, teacher education, creativity, professional development, 21st-century skills

Creative thinking is an important part of effective teaching and learning. It helps prospective teachers generate new ideas, consider different viewpoints and find new ways to deal with problems. Teachers also need a wider set of skills to work in changing educational and social environments. These skills include communication, collaboration, problem- solving, technological skills, leadership and global citizenship. However, the connection between creative thinking and broader global skills has received limited attention in teacher education. This conceptual paper examines @the possible role of creative thinking in the development of global skills among prospective teachers. It discusses creative thinking in relation to the eight domains of the Global Skill Taxonomy: cognitive, interpersonal, intrapersonal, global citizenship, innovation and creativity, self-paced learning, technological skills and leadership. The paper argues that creative thinking can support the development and application of these skills. It can encourage prospective teachers to explore different solutions, adapt to new situations and respond to diverse learners. The paper also highlights the importance of teacher education programmes in creating opportunities for creativity, collaboration, problem-solving and practical learning. A conceptual framework is proposed to show how creative thinking may contribute to broader global skill development. The paper concludes that creative thinking should be treated as an important part of preparing prospective teachers for the changing demands of the teaching profession.