This report reviews the research on creativity assessment and on biases in creativity measures. The study attempts to clarify the relative bias of convergent and divergent ability and esthetic preference, and their relative bias to aspects of personality and educational preferences involving both subject matter and instructional method. A modified…

A subtle revolution in the goals and methods of education, which has been occurring in the United States since the early 1960s, emphasizes both creative problem solving and creative expression. This booklet discusses this creativity and explores the evidences of change in educational objectives, teaching methods, curriculum and instructional…

The paper examines the nature of creativity and educational changes which have placed greater emphasis on creative problem solving and creative expression. Specific focus is on: (1) production of curriculum and instructional programs to facilitate creative thinking, and (2) development of procedures for measuring creative thinking abilities. (JDD)

The paper reports on a research study investigating the professional identity of English teachers in the secondary school in the UK, and the effects of their subject philosophies and their conceptions of learning on their teaching. The various and often competing definitions of the subject have a long history, and a number of factors have been…

Recent communicative language teaching reforms in China have focused on the creative use of English in classroom activities. In response to these reforms, many students have chosen to use English names in classroom, online, and professional contexts, particularly with foreign teachers. Based at a university closely linked to national teaching…

This paper reports on an investigation of podcasting as a tool for honing pronunciation skills in intermediate language learning. We examined the effects of using podcasts to improve pronunciation in second language learning and how students' attitudes changed toward pronunciation over the semester. A total of 22 students in intermediate German…

Purpose: In the USA, as elsewhere, there is an ongoing need to improve quality in higher education. Quality improvement models from business have not been widely embraced, and many other approaches to accountability seem to induce minimal compliance. This paper aims to contend that learning communities represent a viable alternative in the quest…

As a support worker for adolescents with special needs, I have found that they have few opportunities to play music. While previous research emphasizes that students with special needs can enjoy music in multiple capacities, little has been written about their ability to play, improvise, or compose. I employed a qualitative approach for this case…

Composition teachers today stifle creativity by imposing the burden of originality on their students. (DD)

The author proposes a model for lessons on substance abuse that gives children alternative ways to satisfy the natural desire for altered states of consciousness. The model incorporates stages of progressive relaxation, visualization/guided fantasy, sensory experiences, information, and experimentation. (CL)

The author tells what to do with assorted carpet scraps. (MF)

Contains general background and pertinent context that relate to creativity programs and their effectiveness from a disciplinary or instructiveness point of view. Discusses what constitutes a "program" and elaborates on disciplinary characteristics and creativity. (SLD)

Forty-seven preschoolers were assigned to one of four conditions: structured instructions with structured or unstructured materials or unstructured instruction with structured or unstructured materials. Flexibility scores were significantly lower with structured materials than with unstructured materials, especially given structured instructions.…

Ways that trainers use humor to diffuse stress and stimulate creativity are described. Discuses how humor engages people, allows failure, and overcomes defenses and resistance. (SK)