18,325 research outputs found
Summer Camp as a Force for 21st Century Learning: Exploring Divergent Thinking and Activity Selection in a Residential Camp Setting
This study investigated change in divergent thinking (DT), an indicator of creative potential, at two gender-specific residential summer camps. Additionally, this study examined whether the change in DT varied by gender and by the type of activities campers self-select. Quantitative methods, using a quasi-experimental design was used in order to understand differences in camper scores. A total of 189 youth, 100 girls, 89 boys, between the ages of 9 and 14 years participated in the current study. Participants were administered a modified version of Guilford\u27s (1967) alternate uses task, a measure of DT, in which respondents were asked questions such as name all of the uses for a brick or name all of the uses for a plate before the camp session started, and then again at the end of the two-week session. Results indicate overall mean significant increases in DT across all scoring methods of fluency, flexibility, and originality. Participants who self-selected one or more artistic activities (e.g., drama, arts and crafts, dance) had significant increases on the tasks as opposed to participants who did not select any artistic activities (e.g., basketball, baseball, archery). Finally, girls significantly increased across all scoring methods, whereas boys slightly increased in fluency and flexibility but not in originality. These results indicate residential summer camp may provide a creativity benefit for youth in attendance, especially those who participate in certain activities. Practitioners should use this study to understand their own programming in terms of creativity, activity offerings, and camp cultur
âWe Need a Showing of All Handsâ: Technological Utopianism in \u3cem\u3eMAKE\u3c/em\u3e Magazine
Make magazine is a quarterly publication focused on do-it-yourself projects involving technology and innovation. The magazine also sponsors a biannual event, the Maker Faire, that brings âmakersâ together to share their knowledge. As a strategy for building audience loyalty and identification with the magazine, the Make products are skillfully crafted. However, they also invoke ideals such as environmentalism and nationalism in a potent mix that not only engages readers, but also represents an additional cultural demonstration of the phenomenon of technological utopianism
Applying Affordances Scale as a Design Method â Case Virtual Reality Course Design
Practitioners including designers and teachers developing Virtual Reality (VR) courses are facing a question regarding the strengths and subject areas in which VR-enriched courses might have the highest potential compared to conventional courses. The present study develops a survey scale to assess and match industry managersâ requirements for skills for working life. The same scale was surveyed among two different groups of higher education students participating in conventional courses and a VR-aided course. The results indicate that the industry requirements were higher than met by the both course types. However, the results highlight a set of skills for which the VR courses have the highest potential compared to conventional courses. These skills include self-monitoring, independent thinking and understanding, adapting and applying new ideas into practice as well as creativity as a latent class theme. The paper discusses example designs based on these skills whose development is suggested to be included in the future VR course designs.Practitioners including designers and teachers developing Virtual Reality (VR) courses are facing a question regarding the strengths and subject areas in which VR-enriched courses might have the highest potential compared to conventional courses. The present study develops a survey scale to assess and match industry managersâ requirements for skills for working life. The same scale was surveyed among two different groups of higher education students participating in conventional courses and a VR-aided course. The results indicate that the industry requirements were higher than met by the both course types. However, the results highlight a set of skills for which the VR courses have the highest potential compared to conventional courses. These skills include self-monitoring, independent thinking and understanding, adapting and applying new ideas into practice as well as creativity as a latent class theme. The paper discusses example designs based on these skills whose development is suggested to be included in the future VR course designs.Peer reviewe
PACK: Parents and Creative Kids: Developing an Organization for Fostering Creativity in the Family
purpose of the project is to develop and enhance my skills of creating a storyline an
Examining the relationship between self-actualization and job performance via taking charge
Based on Construal-level theory, this study hypothesized that self-actualization positively relates to employeesâ taking charge, and self-actualization affects creative performance and normal performance through taking charge positively, but the effect is different. The authors selected a cross-sectional design to investigate interrelations amongst study variables at two different time points with the interval of one month, and surveyed 417 team members and 186 immediate team leaders in the banking sector in Pakistan. The authors used individual-level data to evaluate the validity and test the proposed relationships by using Mplus. They revealed that self-actualization affects taking charge positively, and taking charge mediated the relationship with the difference in effect e.g. taking charge has high effect on creative performance in comparison to normal performance. The outcomes carry important implications aimed at increasing high-level self-actualization that results in taking charge, and so on leads to creative and normal performance
TEACHERS' ATTITUDES AND FEATURES OF SUPPORT RELATED TO TEACHING FOR CREATIVITY AND MATHEMATICAL TALENT DEVELOPMENT IN THE UNITED STATES
This study further discusses creativity and mathematics gifted education, and synthesizes rational support of a proposed philosophy for teaching mathematics; Teaching for Creativity and Mathematical Talent development (TCMT). It also examined three variables related to teaching for creativity and mathematical talent development in the U.S.: teachers' attitudes, perceived support, and professional development. The major purpose is to contribute to understanding teachers' attitudes and enhancing school trends toward nurturing creativity for all students and meeting the needs of gifted/talented mathematics students utilizing broad conceptions of creativity and talent, and internalizing positive beliefs about student capability for success. The participants in this study included 93 elementary mathematics teachers from several states in the United States of America. The findings indicate that teachers hold positive attitudes toward teaching for creativity and mathematical talent development (M=4.02, SD=.45). In regard to the extent of support, responses indicate that teachers are somewhat supported to teach for creativity and mathematical talent development; the mean of the overall perceived support was 3.04, SD = .84. The inferential analysis also revealed that overall perceived support did not contribute of a statistically significant proportion of unique variance in teachers' attitudes toward teaching for creativity and mathematical talent development (R2 change < .0001, F change observed (1, 87) = .04, p = .85, α = .05). Professional development, however, was found to be the major variable accounting for a statistically significant proportion of unique variance (10%) in teachers' attitudes (R2 change = .1, F change observed (1, 87) = 9.92, p = .002). The implications of such support and professional development for teachers are discussed as significant factors on teaching effectiveness and student positive outcomes. Accordingly, recommendations for improving school environments and teaching quality are presented
Journey into the Process of Developing a New Skill
Learning a new skill is comprised of several characteristics, some which are necessary and others which are desirable. An individual embarking on this endeavor needs practice, persistence and perseverance. It is desirable to possess intrinsic motivation which leads to available energy for the task. The approach to the process should be conducted with an open mind that embraces the fortitude required to overcome obstacles and celebrate achievements. This project includes the process and offers examples of how the reader may strive to meet such a challenge. Included in the process is a note on art and artists, background of the passion for this self-discovery, and the blocks that had to be challenged to succeed. Creative Problem Solving (CPS) tools are used intentionally and naturally in the process. The Key Learning Section offers a simplified learning experience record for anyone wishing to develop a new skill
Mathematically gifted and talented learners: Theory and practice
This is an Author's Accepted Manuscript of an article published in International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, 40(2), 213-228, 2009, copyright Taylor & Francis, available online at: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/00207390802566907.There is growing recognition of the special needs of mathematically gifted learners. This article reviews policy developments and current research and theory on giftedness in mathematics. It includes a discussion of the nature of mathematical ability as well as the factors that make up giftedness in mathematics. The article is set in the context of current developments in Mathematics Education and Gifted Education in the UK and their implications for Science and Technology. It argues that early identification and appropriate provision for younger mathematically promising pupils capitalizes on an intellectual resource which could provide future mathematicans as well as specialists in Science or Technology. Drawing on a Vygotskian framework, it is suggested that the mathematically gifted require appropriate cognitive challenges as well as attitudinally and motivationally enhancing experiences. In the second half of this article we report on an initiative in which we worked with teachers to identify mathematically gifted pupils and to provide effective enrichment support for them, in a number of London Local Authorities. A number of significant issues are raised relating to the identification of mathematical talent, enrichment provision for students and teachersâ professional development
Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration and Learning
Complex environmental problem solving depends on cross-disciplinary collaboration among scientists. Collaborative research must be preceded by an exploratory phase of collective thinking that creates shared conceptual frameworks. Collective thinking, in a cross-disciplinary setting, depends on the facility with which collaborators are able to learn and understand each othersâ perspectives. This paper applies three perspectives on learning to the problem of enabling cross-disciplinary collaboration: Maslowâs hierarchy of needs, constructivism, and organizational learning. Application of learning frameworks to collaboration provides insights regarding receptive environments for collaboration, and processes that facilitate cross-disciplinary interactions. These environments and interactions need time to develop and require a long phase of idea generation preceding any focused research effort. The findings highlight that collaboration is itself a complex system of people, scientific theory, and tools that must be intentionally managed. Effective management of the system requires leaders who are facilitators and are capable of orchestrating effective environments and interactions
The Symbiosis of Creativity and Wellness: A Personal Journey
The Symbiosis of Creativity and Wellness project explored how holistic personal wellness practices nurture creativity, and conversely, how creativity fosters personal wellness. The project specifically explored wellness from the standpoint of sleep and circadian rhythms, somaticism and movement, nutrition and hydration, meditation and mindfulness, as well as connection and support. By immersing in research-based wellness practices and building a customized approach to personal wellness, this project not only facilitated measurable personal wellness improvements over the six-week period, but also highlighted more profound insights within the relationship between creativity and wellness. Overall this work resulted in significant lifestyle changes, a more holistic and balanced approach to priorities and time management, and insights towards personal, familial and vocational goals. The experience deepened personal skills in creative thinking, Creative Problem Solving, affective thinking, intuition and mindfulness, as well as forged additional steps on a path towards self-actualization and transformational leadership
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