Recent revelations from the 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) have highlighted a pressing predicament: Filipino students ranked second to the lowest among 64 countries in creative thinking. The Philippines scored a mere 14, significantly below the OECD average of 33.
This alarming statistic underscores the urgent need to cultivate creative thinking among Filipino students. But what exactly is creative thinking, and why is it so crucial for their development?
What is Creative Thinking?
Creative thinking involves generating valuable and original ideas. It's a skill everyone can develop and apply to various contexts, not just in the creative arts or writing but also in solving everyday problems and addressing broader societal issues. Creative thinking encourages individuals to approach situations in non-conventional ways, leading to innovative solutions and ideas.
Why is Creative Thinking Important for Students?
Creative thinking positively influences students' academic performance, identity, and socio-emotional development. It helps them interpret experiences and events in novel, meaningful ways. Beyond the classroom, creative thinking equips students to adapt to a rapidly changing world, preparing them to contribute to society as innovative and knowledgeable future workers.
Organizations and societies increasingly rely on creativity and innovation to tackle emerging challenges, underscoring the importance of fostering creative thinking as a collective endeavor.
Promoting Creative Thinking through Board Games
Gaming Library has been actively promoting creative thinking in students through board games. We truly believe that board gaming is a fun and effective way for students to develop creative thinking, communication, strategic agility, teamwork, and more. Over the past years, we've visited schools like Ateneo, UST, CIIT College of Arts & Technology, and Lourdes School of Mandaluyong. We hope to reach more schools in the future and introduce the power of board gaming.
Now you might ask, what facets of board gaming promote creative thinking?
Problem-Solving Puzzles
Board games often present players with intricate puzzles and challenges. Think of games like IQ Gears and IQ Puzzler Pro, where you form blocks to fit into interesting shapes, or the deductive mysteries of Mysterium. Recently, Sky Team has been nominated for Spiel des Jahres (Game of the Year - the Oscars of board gaming). Sky Team is a cooperative game, exclusively for 2 players, where you play a pilot and co-pilot at the controls of an airliner. Your goal is to work together as a team to land your airplane in different airports around the world.
We've also got a fantastic selection of Mensa Select board games in our collection. Just to name a few, there's Anomia, which snagged the award in 2010, and more recent winners like Akropolis and Boop from 2023. For those who might not know, the Mensa Select is an annual accolade given by American Mensa since 1990. It highlights five board games each year that are not just original and challenging but also brilliantly designed.
Solving these puzzles requires creative thinking, wordplay, and the ability to connect the dots. Board games provide a safe and enjoyable environment to hone problem-solving skills and let creative juices flow.
Storytelling Adventures
Many board games weave captivating narratives into their gameplay. Games like Arkham Horror, Sleeping Gods, and Dungeons and Dragons immerse players in compelling stories filled with twists, turns, and mysteries. As players become part of these stories, their creativity is sparked. They think creatively to solve puzzles, unravel mysteries, and imagine the next steps in the narrative. It’s like stepping into an interactive novel where imagination takes center stage.
Speaking of storytelling, Gaming Library offers Dungeons and Dragons games in our stores. We have excellent Dungeon Masters who weave stories and guide young adventurers through the magical world of D&D. Moreover, we have a sale for the month of July on D&D Frameworks to help spark that creativity.
The Art of Strategy
One of the core components of board games is strategy. Whether you're plotting your moves in Quoridor, managing resources in Splendor, or forming alliances in Root, strategic thinking is paramount. This aspect of board games challenges players to plan, adapt, and innovate, fostering a flexible and imaginative mindset. Players must explore different paths to victory, encouraging them to think creatively and strategically.
Social Interaction and Brainstorming
Board games are inherently social activities. Gathering around a table with friends or family fosters an environment for collaboration, communication, and brainstorming. Whether negotiating trades in Catan or engaging in lively debates in Coup: Philippine Edition, social interaction stimulates the mind and encourages creative thinking to achieve goals. It’s in these moments of interaction that innovative ideas often emerge.
A Playground for Imagination
Perhaps one of the most compelling aspects of board games is that they offer a structured yet flexible playground for imagination. Players can immerse themselves in epic battles, become cunning detectives, or strategize their way to victory. The game board and components serve as a canvas for creative ideas, and each playthrough offers a fresh opportunity to experiment, learn, and invent new strategies.
Board games are more than just pastimes. They are catalysts for creativity, imagination, and innovation. When you pick up a board game and gather around the table for a game night, remember that you're not just rolling dice or moving pieces—you’re unlocking your creative potential, one move at a time.
We should engage the community: involve parents, local communities, and industries in supporting creative education. Extracurricular programs, mentorship, and partnerships with businesses can provide students with real-world experiences that enhance creative thinking.
By integrating board games into educational settings, we can help Filipino students enhance their creative thinking skills, better preparing them for the challenges of the future. Let’s turn the tide and boost our nation's creative thinking score, one game at a time!
About Gaming Library
Gaming Library aims to be the go-to resource for board games, providing not only titles that can be enjoyed by families, but also to be enjoyed by friends both newcomers and veterans alike. By pulling from different resources from all over the world, we at Gaming Library curate an impressive collection of games for consumers to choose from, suitable for anybody from casual players to hardcore hobbyists. In doing so, we hope to provide the best means to foster activities that strengthen family ties and friendships, while teaching relevant skills and practical critical thinking that can be applied to your everyday life.
