Which teaching technique promotes divergent thinking among students?

Encouraging students to create their own math problems promotes divergent thinking because it requires them to generate multiple possible solutions and demonstrates creativity in their approach to problem-solving. This technique allows students to explore different methods and perspectives, fostering originality in thought. By designing their own problems, students engage in a process that not only deepens their understanding of mathematical concepts but also enhances their critical thinking skills. This form of creativity is a hallmark of divergent thinking, which emphasizes the generation of varied ideas and solutions rather than converging onto a single correct answer.

In contrast, the other teaching techniques tend to focus on specific expected responses or assessments of understanding. For instance, multiple-choice questions limit responses to predetermined options, summarizing texts directs students to condense information into one coherent message, and timed quizzes primarily assess knowledge rather than creativity. These approaches typically encourage convergent thinking, where the emphasis is on finding the single best answer, rather than exploring a wide array of possibilities.