Self-Assessing Creative Problem Solving for Aspiring Software Developers: A Pilot Study

Abstract

We developed a self-assessment tool for computing students in higher education to measure their Creative Problem Solving skills. Our survey encompasses 7 dimensions of creativity, based on existing validated scales and conducted focus groups. These are: technical knowledge, communication, constraints, critical thinking, curiosity, creative state of mind, and creative techniques. Principal axis factor analysis groups the dimensions into three overarching constructs: ability, mindset, and interaction. The results of a pilot study (𝑛 = 269) provide evidence for its psychometric qualities, making it a useful instrument for educational researchers to investigate students' creative skills. CCS CONCEPTS• Social and professional topics → Student assessment; Software engineering education.