MATHLET AS A NEW APPROACH FOR IMPROVING CRITICAL AND CREATIVE THINKING SKILLS IN MATHEMATICS

Nelli Avetisyan
Wharton County Junior College

Levon R. Hayrapetyan
Houston Baptist University

ABSTRACT

In this study authors present an innovative way of teaching critical thinking skills and
creativity in mathematics courses. A new type of conceptual mathematical objects, called mathlets,
is introduced. Each mathlet is a mathematical expression with placeholders for symbols and
integer numbers. Each mathlet evaluates a single character. Various mathlet-based individual and
group activities and games are proposed to help instructors teach critical thinking skills in a very
interactive, engaging and fun atmosphere.

Keywords: Mathlet, critical thinking, creativity, teamwork, mathematics