Historically, schools were solely places of learning, but this is changing. Schools are now "dwelling spaces" where individuals spend much of their day developing and connecting. This book highlights the educational quality of these spaces, seen as both relational systems and physical objects shaped by educational intentions. The book…

"Creativity for Learning" provides a comprehensive understanding of creativity's role in learning, as well as practical approaches to teaching creative thinking strategies to diverse learners. This book provides a roadmap for creating instructional practices that allow learners to go beyond knowledge acquisition. Chapters provide…

The demand for workers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers is increasing in the United States. This increase has led to a growing urgency to implement STEM education in classrooms, including early childhood. STEM education is necessary to help students develop the skills to succeed in STEM careers. Integrating the…

Whether schools help or hinder creativity is a topic of vibrant, international debate. Some contend that the focus on structure, rote learning and standardised assessments associated with formal education stifles children's creativity. Others argue that creativity, much like numeracy or literacy, is a skill that can be taught, and educational…

This study proposes a teaching and research initiative, named SAMAL (Smart AMbience for Affective Learning) that will provide a unique ambient mediated environment for integrating cognitive and affective approaches to enhance learning. Also, this study illustrates a design of SAMAL classroom with affectively evocative scenarios for learning de…

For the thirty-ninth time, the Research and Theory Division of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) is sponsoring the publication of these Proceedings. Papers published in this volume were presented at the annual AECT Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Proceedings of AECT's Convention are published in two volumes.…

In the July 24, 2007 edition of "ExchangeEveryday", readers were asked to submit great indoor space elements from their early childhood programs. Readers sent photographs and brief descriptions of creative elements of their indoor environments. A sampling of ideas are shown on this article.

Presented is the stage-set design approach to classroom environment, in which the classroom is designed as a stage so that learning experiences and situations may become life-related and purposeful. (BD)

Compares the organization of supermarkets to classroom environments. Emphasizes the efficient use of space with the use of containers, keeping materials in place, and grouping objects together. Provides suggestions on the use of color and adding storage space. (MOK)

In a three-year cumulative study, more than 1,000 children were observed either in randomly arranged preschool classrooms or in classrooms deliberately arranged to promote learning. Creativity, oral language use, and development of science and number concepts were significantly higher for children in the specially planned classrooms. (Author/SJL)

This book is designed to help teachers link research and theory regarding creativity to the everyday activities of classroom teaching, providing enough theory and enough examples of applications to enable teachers to convert what they learn to their everyday grouping arrangements, lesson plans, assessment activities, and grading schemes. The book…

In the industrial Midlands of England, the County Education Authority in Leicestershire County has jurisdiction over approximately 250 primary schools and 50 secondary schools. A child attending an infant or junior school works at his own pace, is creative and spontaneous, and learns on his own terms. Principals are given complete autonomy and may…

Defines creativity as the process of being original, spontaneous, and/or unique, using prior knowledge and available information to think or act in a new way. Creativity can be fostered by acceptance and encouragement, by an atmosphere of trust, and by selection of classroom activities and materials. Children need uninterrupted work time for…

The topics of the 17 papers included in this proceedings are: (1) enriching and empowering young children's learning with microcomputers; (2) a program designed to make all students computer literate who complete the eighth grade in Tennessee schools; (3) how school systems should purchase microcomputers; (4) a team approach to microcomputer…

The National Art Education Association prepared this guide to help elementary and secondary schools develop quality art programs. Opinions stressed in the guide are that art experiences are an essential part of an educational program and that all students must be offered a carefully planned, developmental art program from kindergarten through high…