Innovative Technologies for Developing Associative Thinking
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55640/eijp-06-02-39Keywords:
Associative thinking, innovative technologies, creative learningAbstract
In the context of rapid educational digitalization and the transformation of learning paradigms, the development of students’ associative thinking has become a strategic priority in contemporary pedagogy. Associative thinking enables learners to establish meaningful connections between concepts, experiences, and cognitive structures, thereby fostering deeper understanding and creative knowledge construction. This article examines the theoretical foundations and pedagogical implications of innovative technologies designed to enhance associative thinking in educational settings. Through a qualitative analytical review of international scholarly literature, the study explores the cognitive nature of associative thinking, its relationship with creativity and divergent thinking, and its integration into innovative instructional models. Particular attention is given to digital concept mapping, problem-based learning, design thinking, gamification, and interactive multimedia tools as mechanisms that stimulate associative processes. The findings indicate that innovative technologies expand cognitive flexibility, promote originality, and strengthen knowledge transfer by encouraging students to form complex associative networks. The article concludes that systematic integration of technology-enhanced, learner-centered methodologies significantly contributes to the development of associative thinking and prepares students for adaptive and innovative performance in dynamic environments.
References
Mednick, S. A. The Associative Basis of the Creative Process. Psychological Review, 69(3), 1962, pp. 220–232.
De Bono, E. Lateral Thinking: Creativity Step by Step. New York: Harper & Row, 1970. – 300 p.
Bruner, J. S. The Process of Education. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1960. – 97 p.
Runco, M. A., Jaeger, G. J. The Standard Definition of Creativity. Creativity Research Journal, 24(1), 2012, pp. 92–96. – 5 p.
Anderson, J. R. Cognitive Psychology and Its Implications. 8th ed. New York: Worth Publishers, 2015. – 519 p.
Brown, T. Change by Design: How Design Thinking Creates New Alternatives. New York: HarperBusiness, 2009. – 272 p.
Hmelo-Silver, C. E. Problem-Based Learning: What and How Do Students Learn? Educational Psychology Review, 16(3), 2004, pp. 235–266. – 32 p.
Novak, J. D., Cañas, A. J. The Theory Underlying Concept Maps and How to Construct Them. IHMC Technical Report, 2008. – 36 p.
Mayer, R. E. Multimedia Learning. 2nd ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2009. – 304 p.
Sawyer, R. K. Creative Classrooms: The Evidence and Ideas for Collaborative Learning. New York: Teachers College Press, 2014. – 176 p.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Ortiqova Zulfiya Numaxamatovna
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Individual articles are published Open Access under the Creative Commons Licence: CC-BY 4.0.
