Inventive Thinking 21st Century Skills Among Preparatory Course Science Students

Inventive thinking is one of the constructs in 21st century skills. The 21st century skills are the skills needed by future workforce in the new global economy that driven by knowledge, technology and innovation. Inventive thinking comprises of six elements which are flexibility, self-regulation, curiosity, creativity, risk taking and higher order thinking. This study aimed to measure the level of inventive thinking among preparatory course science students at two MARA colleges. Besides, this study has also examined the effect of gender and previous school location on the level of inventive thinking. This quantitative approach study employed 21st century skills instrument. Total of 240 respondents of first year students that attended to these colleges have answered the questionnaires. Findings revealed that the levels of all subconstructs in inventive thinking were high except for creativity that revealed a moderate level. Meanwhile, there were no effects of gender and former school location on the levels of inventive thinking. However, these findings have given insight that the level of creativity should be enhanced. Science students should master all subconstructs in inventive thinking in order to become great innovators who can contribute to the nation’s prosperity.