This paper describes an evolving systems approach for use in exploring aspects of creativity, including: measurement of creativity; uniqueness; processes which amplify deviation; novelty and progress; chance and purpose; networks of enterprise; self-concept; difficulty, duration, and purpose; sudden insight; and sequential stage theories. (JDD)

Several commentaries on Howard Gruber's paper, "The Evolving Systems Approach to Creative Work," are offered: "How High Should One Climb to Find Common Ground?" (Robert Albert); "Where is the Evolving Milieu?" (Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi); "Creativity: The Individual, The Systems, The Approach" (Todd Lubart and Robert Sternberg); and "Quality and…

An adventure consultant shares lessons about creativity. Steps to being creative are: look for connections; be willing to experiment and fail; be open-minded and seek input from others; and practice, practice, practice. Examples of different versions of an adventure activity illustrate several creative techniques. The impact of time deadlines on…

Development of creativity is influenced by multiple factors, including the environment, developmental changes, and measurement tools. In this study, we investigated the relationship between creativity development and implementation of the Discovering Intellectual Strengths and Capabilities while Observing Varied Ethnic Responses (DISCOVER)…

Studies on the development of creativity have highlighted the impact of learning environments. In particular, pedagogical approaches are hypothesized to differ concerning their emphasis on individual initiative, and action-based learning. A semi-longitudinal study was conducted during two consecutive years with 210 children in elementary schools…

Many graduate creative writing programs depend on "star" faculty who have been hired more because of their professional reputation as writers than because of their commitment to teaching. As a result, such programs often fail to provide reflection on teaching that would truly serve their students. One step toward alleviating this problem is to…

This article discusses some reasons for not implementing the National Recreation and Park Association certification/registration program. (PD)

A series of studies was conducted to examine effects of various types of praise and of instructions and primes on the making of a different/new form or the using of an object in a unique way by preschoolers. Generalization of creative behavior within a response set of a given task and from a trained task to an untrained (transfer) task was…

The effects of a 14 week creativity training program (the Purdue Creative Thinking Program) on the creativity in written expression of 25 learning disabled (LD) students (11 to 12 years old) was measured. The program consisted of 28 audio tapes and printed exercises designed to foster divergent thinking in areas of verbal and figural fluency,…

An analysis of how viewing educational media relates to creativity. (HB)

Tasks from the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking were administered to children in a cognitive-structured preprimary program. Results indicated that children entering as 5-year-olds showed a continuity of creative growth and excelled their controls on elaboration at the beginning of grade 1 and end of grade 2. Also, at the end of grade 2, they…

The article describes the Creativity Mobilization Technique, a nonverbal process-oriented method involving work with brush, paint, and paper that attempts to activate functions essential for various types of creative activities. (Author/SBH)

The author discusses obstacles to creative thinking in secondary and college students, and stresses the importance of shifting the emphasis from finding solutions to recognizing problems, and realizing that nothing one can learn is irrelevant. (CL)

Theories on the variability of creativity in individuals are discussed and related to the development of creativity in the classroom. (SBH)