Analysis of interviews with seven teachers and 31 students (grades 3 and 4) suggested that both teachers and students believe that a classroom environment which enhances creativity provides students with choices, accepts different ideas, boosts self-confidence, and focuses on students' strengths and interests. In classrooms that inhibit…

Describes some of the methods a children's book illustrator has used to create a book using ordinary objects combined to form a type of collage. Discusses the importance of children having a place of their own to use materials and be creative and pays tribute to her parents' influence. (LRW)

Creativity is the ultimate therapeutic experience because it validates the creator's abilities and allows the risk taking that enables growth. An adventure therapy session involving a group of recovering adult substance abusers illustrates how creativity is used to organize the group, determine the group's needs, generate meaning, and translate…

An historical review of the alleged association between creativity and madness is followed by highlights from recent research in psychiatry and psychology that address this relationship. The nature of this link is explored from the perspective of several disciplines, and implications for the creative process in gifted education are discussed.…

Various perspectives on scientific giftedness are analyzed that lead to a framework for understanding it. It is suggested that authentic scientific creativity is a meshing of artistic and scientific abilities. Implications for gifted educators include the provision for artistic activities as a contributory factor in successful gifted science…

Discussion of resource-based learning (RBL) in South African distance education finds that problems associated with this approach are due to inadequate understanding of its principles. Offers collegial dialog as way to address RBL at the conceptual level, and suggests that incorporating greater creativity is essential to its success. (Author/MSE)

Cross-cultural differences in creative thinking were assessed for 51 American and 54 Japanese college students. The American students showed significantly higher scores on the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking (TTCT) figural test than the Japanese students. No gender differences were found in either culture. TTCT performance did not correlate…

Proposes a methodology for collaborative innovation, which leads to cognitive development. Topics include a systems approach to lifelong learning; distributed cognition versus collaborative innovation activities; motivation for lifelong learning; creativity and interaction; the role of the Internet; and fuzzy set theory and assessment of cognitive…

Investigated the development of individual style in 3- to 10-year-old children's drawings. Assessed about one-third of children as having distinctive styles; these children were most frequently younger and showed higher aesthetic and creativity ratings in their drawings. Considered the probable sequence in children's development of artistic style.…

Finnish eighth graders used computer control software to find creative solutions to technological problems. The learning environment encouraged problem-centered and creative approaches. More systematic teaching of programming skills before problem solving was recommended. (Contains 32 references.) (SK)

This study examined the creative problem solving of 100 young children (prekindergarten to grade 2) in response to both realistic and fanciful story problems. Solutions were evaluated for fluency, elaboration, flexibility, originality, effectiveness, and realism. Although children's performance improved with age and experience, their solutions…

Analysis of the British Office of Standards in Education reports suggests that management and documentation are valued and rewarded over creativity in teaching. As in other policymaking bodies, preconditions to support creativity in schools are lacking, resulting in a mismatch between rhetoric about developing creative talents and the reality…

Argues for more creativity in the approach to preservice training for English language teachers in the United Kingdom. (Author/VWL)

To teach creativity to business students, a framework was used that involves bridging the intuition gap between knowledge/skills and application and providing simulations that enable students to experience chaos and uncertainty. Students enjoyed scenarios but found holistic learning uncomfortable. Peer support through group reflection helped…

This study investigated differences in verbal and artistic creative achievements among 6-year-old children. Creative-capacity level differentiation was analyzed, and factors which determine individual and group differences were determined. Results confirm a great differentiation of creative capacity levels and suggest that pedagogic factors are…