Effectiveness of Using Mind Maps in Developing Creative Writing Skills and Enhancing Systemic Thinking among University Students

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the effectiveness of employing mind maps in developing specific creative writing skills and enhancing systemic thinking abilities among university students. The targeted creative writing skills included idea generation, narrative structuring, linguistic precision, thematic cohesion, and persuasive expression. Meanwhile, the systemic thinking skills encompassed causal relationship analysis, holistic problem-solving, interconnection mapping, and dynamic adaptability. The study adopted a quantitative approach utilizing a quasi-experimental design. A single group of participants was assessed through pre- and post-tests to identify performance differences. The sample consisted of 40 fourth-year undergraduate students from the College of Arts at King Faisal University, selected randomly. Two tests were developed: one for evaluating creative writing skills and another for systemic thinking abilities. Additionally, tailored worksheets were designed to guide students in creating and implementing mind maps effectively. The findings revealed that employing mind maps significantly enhanced the specified creative writing skills, with a statistical significance level of p < 0.01. Furthermore, the results indicated statistically significant improvements in systemic thinking skills, with a significance level of p < 0.01 Based on these results, the current study underscores the potential of integrating mind mapping techniques in higher education to foster critical academic and cognitive competencies. Further research is recommended to explore the long-term impact of mind maps on diverse educational contexts.