Suggests that problem-solving extensions are appropriate experiences for differentiating learning experiences for students with high abilities. The extensions fall into four major categories: pattern and generalization, new concepts and vocabulary, creativity, and making value judgments. (PK)

Suggests criteria to be used in selecting problem-solving activities and criteria to be considered in choosing media, exercises, and problems for the development of problem-solving skills. Provides perspectives on developing creativity and includes a chart on how thinking and attitude components relate. Also lists related reference materials. (ML)

Argues that, while software for preschoolers does not use the potential of the computer as effectively as it might, observations with children using the LOGO language with simplified graphics suggest gains may be made in the areas of cognitive development, problem solving, creativity, and social and language skills. (Author/KS)

Contains a summary of the prevailing concerns about the impact of television on the formation of values in youth and some resultant implications for curriculum and instruction. The article examines preemption of active daily play, spectatorship, deemphasis of the complexity of life, lack of creativity, speedy conflict resolution, and violence. (CT)

Current focuses of scientific and technical research in socialist countries' universities and institutes include increasing creativity, developing student skills for independent problem-solving, computer applications, increasing research efficiency, and integration of research and production. (MSE)

Reports that microcomputer use will help six year-old children solve some types of problems better but will not improve their general learning and thinking abilities. Logo programing resulted in higher creativity scores and in children's ability to monitor their own thinking, but revolutionary changes in cognitive development were not found. (DH)

This activity book encourages students to think like inventors by employing ready-to-use materials, a timeline game, and topics from social studies, mathematics, science, language arts, and art. The first section explains the definition of invention and explores accidental inventions. It is followed by a section that examines the effects of…

This study examined how experienced teachers use their complex knowledge structure to find and solve problems in the classroom. Of 30 teachers and teacher trainees, the experienced teachers imposed an experiential structure on lesson content, spent less time planning, and focused on general concerns rather than specific problems. (PB)

Reports on a study that analyzed students' chain of music decisions from problem perception to problem solution. Found that highly involved problem solvers explored and organized sound for its musical expressiveness, while uninvolved problem solvers rarely based their decisions on musical concerns. Concludes with implications for music teaching.…

Sixty kindergarten children were studied to determine the effect of age and sex on creativity. No significant difference was found between the girls' and boys' creativity scores, but, as expected, the 6-year olds scored higher than the 5-year olds. Recommends providing opportunities for creative activity for children at home and school. (TJQ)

This article describes a six-week course for design students called "Needs Awareness and Design" which stresses the development of creative thinking skills. Brainstorming is recommended for identifying many ideas, and synectics is stressed for actual problem solving. (DB)

Discusses the effect of children's outdoor play on their learning, the promotion of children's development by their playing of games which they have invented, and suggestions for adults to encourage children to invent outdoor games. (BC)

Gifted and talented fifth and sixth grade students participating in Montana's Future Problem Solving Program are developing their information retrieval skills as they use electronic equipment to retrieve research literature and use a hypercard authoring system to record and manipulate their findings. (JDD)

Describes a high school course, "Material Arts Design," that celebrates materials, creativity, and culture, while concurrently encouraging individual responsibility towards the environment. Explains that the students develop a wide range of technical skills by exploring art and technology and address aesthetic and ecological issues through a…

A five-step model intervention called "Sensational Thinking," which incorporates readiness, reception, reflection, revelation, and re-creation activities, was evaluated with four kindergarten classes. Experimental groups showed increased creativity over control groups in solving paradoxical problems. The study is seen as supporting the premise…