The Impact of Activity-Based Learning in Art Creation Courses on the Creativity of Higher Vocational Students

Abstract

Activity-Based Learning (ABL) is a student-centred, task-driven pedagogy that emphasises knowledge construction through authentic practice, collaboration, and reflection. Although ABL has shown promise in general education, empirical evidence on its effectiveness in higher vocational art and design contexts—especially regarding creativity development—remains scarce, and the underlying mechanisms are unclear. This study employed a non-equivalent pretest-posttest quasi-experimental design with 72 first-year Digital Media Art and Design students from Quanzhou Light Industry Vocational College. The experimental group (n=36) received an 8-week ABL intervention, while the control group (n=36) followed traditional demonstration-imitation instruction. Multiple instruments were used: the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking (TTCT), expert Consensual Assessment (CAT), Creative Self-Efficacy Scale, Learning Engagement Scale, Perceived Classroom Collaboration Climate Scale, and a Satisfaction Questionnaire. Results showed that ABL met the "80/80" efficacy criterion (83.3% of experimental students scored ≥80 on creativity post-test; 86.1% scored ≥80 on satisfaction). ANCOVA revealed a significant large-sized effect of ABL on creativity (F(1,69)=220.15, p<0.001, partial η²=0.761). Serial mediation analysis confirmed a significant indirect pathway: ABL → Collaborative Climate → Learning Engagement → Creative Self-Efficacy → Creativity (Ind7: B=6.05, 95% CI [3.78, 8.86]), with a remaining direct effect indicating partial mediation. Qualitative feedback further highlighted gains in creative confidence, cultural integration, and collaborative problem-solving. The study extends constructivist and social-cognitive theories to vocational art education, opens the "black box" of ABL's influence, and provides practical benchmarks for curriculum reform. Recommendations for teaching, administration, and future research are discussed.