Perceptions Towards Lecturers' Leadership Skills And Determinant Factors Of Creative Thinking Skills On Prospective Mathematics Lecturers

Abstract

The study aims to: (1) determine the factors that significantly influence one's ability on creative mathematical thinking and (2) determine the magnitude of the direct or indirect influence of prospective lecturers' perceptions on lecturers' leadership skills and the three other variables examined (namely, motivation to learn mathematics, mathematical connections skills, and critical thinking skills). The population was prospective mathematics lecturers who are currently students at the Institut Agama Islam Ma’arif NU (IAIMNU) Metro Lampung. Cluster random sampling was the sampling technique used. The sample size for this study was 110 students. A test and a questionnaire in the form of a Likert scale were used as research instruments. The test assessed students' ability to make mathematical connections and engage in critical thinking and mathematical creativity. Meanwhile, the questionnaire was used to determine the motivation to learn mathematics and the lecturer's perceived leadership abilities. Additionally, parametric statistics with Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) test. The findings of this study indicate that: 1) there is a positive but not statistically significant relationship between motivation to learn mathematics and critical thinking skills; 2) there is a positive and statistically significant relationship between motivation to learn mathematics and creative thinking skills, and 3) there is a positive and statistically significant relationship between the ability of mathematical connections and creative thinking skills. Critical thinking skills have the most significant direct influence on creative thinking skills. Additionally, this study's findings indicate that making mathematical connections has a more significant indirect influence than motivation to learn mathematics.