This collection of doctoral student research papers begins with a biographic dedication to Marilyn Zurmuehlen. The papers and their authors are introduced in brief discourse by a faculty mentor (mentor's introduction). Articles include: (1) "Feminism < > Dialogic Interaction < > Research (Miriam Cooley), introduced by Elizabeth J.…

This paper discusses the use of different media for art instruction and creative activities with preschoolers at the Reggio Emilia preschools in Italy. Drawing made with markers, paper constructions, clay sculpture, and wooden constructions are all used to deepen children's understanding of a particular theme or concept. Typically, a small group…

This paper offers a critical examination of definitions, issues, and practices relative to identification of students who are gifted and talented in the visual arts. The lack of agreement on the definition of talent in the arts is discussed, along with the role of culture, student characteristics, creativity, skills, cognitive abilities, affective…

The case study of a visually gifted 8-year-old child illustrates the problems that may be encountered in determining giftedness that is manifested largely through visual processes and products. The child's intelligence quotient was just below that required for admission to the gifted program in his school. Retesting with the complete number of…

The subject of regionalization or the consolidation of schools has been a major issue of discussion and educational research for the past 15 years. A fact that has come out of the research is that consolidation is expensive. Yet, some observers continue to recommend consolidating the remaining school districts. When schools are closed, children…

This practicum was designed to help third grade students develop critical thinking skills of application, analysis, and synthesis in social studies activities. Teachers were unhappy with the teaching of social studies as it existed. Among the contributing causes were the lack of a critical thinking program, an over-dependence on commercially…

A nationwide sample of home-schooling parents and their children was surveyed in a study of: (1) the characteristics of home-schooling families; (2) variations in instructional approaches used by home-schooling parents; and (3) the possible relation of creativity of home-schooled children to differences in family characteristics or instructional…

A study was conducted to test the hypothesis that metaphorical thought develops according to the principles governing other categorizing processes. Of particular interest were the questions of whether preschool children possess the categorical flexibility to comprehend metaphorical statements and, if they do, whether this flexibility manifests…

Based on the experiences of classroom teachers of theatre, the elective dramatics course described in this guide is designed to enhance ninth grade students' aesthetic awareness, social development, intellectual growth, and technical knowledge. Following a brief course description and overview, the guide presents complete instructions for seven…

A program to identify culturally-diverse adolescents with the potential of becoming gifted adults is described, and instructions for conducting theater activities are presented. "Talent Search and Development Model Project" of the New Haven Connecticut School System involves middle schools serving primarily Black and Hispanic (bilingual)…

The University of Manitoba's Continuing Education Division (CED) and Creative Retirement Manitoba (CRM) formed a partnership to promote applied research on lifelong learning and older adults, to develop new and to complement existing educational activities, and to explore new program models and instructional methods to meet the educational needs…

Experiential Learning Cycle has been applied to the Layout and Graphics Design in Computer Course provided by the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies to the students studying at the Public Relations and Advertising Department. It is hoped that by applying the Experiential Learning Cycle, the creativity and problem solving strategies of the…

This report addresses the relationship between education and creativity in Japan, with a focus on four issues. First, the definition and measurement of creativity is discussed. Approaches to the measurement of creativity are presented and criticized, and different meanings of creativity (i.e., originality, deviation from the group,…

The Invent America program addresses the need to provide K-8 students with opportunities to learn critical and creative thinking skills through the process of inventing. Students apply problem-solving skills as they turn their own creative ideas into inventions. It is an effort to integrate the curriculum, help students synthesize knowledge, and…

The Invent America program addresses the need to provide K-8 students with opportunities to learn critical and creative thinking skills through the process of inventing. Students apply problem-solving skills as they turn their own creative ideas into inventions. It is an effort to integrate the curriculum, help students synthesize knowledge, and…