Exploring the Efficacy of Active and Authentic Learning in the Visual Merchandising Classroom

Abstract knowledge gained in the classroom can be difficult for students to apply in later work-related contexts. Utilizing active and authentic classroom learning allows students be involved with, evaluate and apply their knowledge to real world problems. Both strategies were implemented in a junior level Visual Merchandising and Promotion classroom through a project based learning environment. In this course, student completed three main projects, which included window displays for a local business and a student group, a national merchandising competition and an ecommerce project. Students were surveyed to determine their gains in critical thinking and professional competence, while community partners were interviewed to evaluate the students\u27 work and professionalism. Results indicated students were able to apply course concepts, develop critical thinking skills and professional competence through completing each project. Community partners were pleased with the students\u27 work and professionalism. Minor project modifications could increase these gains in the future

Can Creativity be Taught?: Exploring the Impact of Creative Thinking Challenges

Creativity is forecasted to be an essential skill for college graduates by 2020. In this study, the impact on creativity, as measured by performance on creative uses activities and creative achievement, was analyzed after students completed creative thinking challenges. Results from the study indicated that creative achievement improved, but not creative uses. Additionally, students expressed a variety of sentiments about the creative thinking challenges

Creativity Curriculum and Personality

Certain personality traits have been previously found to related to higher degree of creativity. Previous research has investigated personality traits in relation to creativity. Specifically, openness to experience and extraversion are related to creativity. The purpose of this research was to investigate how students in a Western University\u27s Design, Merchandising and Textiles program would respond to creative thinking challenges and what role personality traits would play in creativity. From the results of this study, creativity specific curriculum mainly benefits students\u27 understanding the creative process and being pushed outside of their comfort zones. Openness was the only dimension of personality which was significantly related to creativity

Bacterial Cellulose Yarns: Preserving Fiber Strength and Improving Performance

Bacterial cellulose is a promising material, which has recently been gaining attention for it\u27s potential use in apparel. This vegetable leather-like material has several promising and simultaneously limiting properties. In this research, we explored a preliminary formulation and tested the resulting bacterial cellulose yarns. Our results indicate the there is sufficient strength and extension for this material to undergo hand or low speed mechanical weaving

Triggering Clothes?: Fashion and the Pro-Anorexia Community.

Pro-anorexia is a subculture of anorexia nervosa sufferers who vary from rejecting treatment to embracing the disorder as a lifestyle choice. Anorexia is consistently linked to body dissatisfaction and this dissatisfaction can be related to internalization of the thin body ideal. One of the main disseminators of the thin female body ideal is the media. Higher frequency of appearance-based social comparisons to such ideals contribute to thin ideal internalization and body dissatisfaction. A common element in pro anorexia communities is thinspiration, or media which promotes weight loss and idolizes extremely thin female celebrities. This research investigated pro-anorexia pages on Facebook and Pinterest in relation to the body and clothing ideals portrayed. Most pictures were user generated, portraying thin women who appeared to be under 30 years old. Clothing objects varied but were largely body hugging or body part revealing. Findings indicate the unique body and clothing ideals within this community

Bacterial Cellulose Yarns: Preserving Fiber Strength and Improving Performance

Bacterial cellulose is a promising material, which has recently been gaining attention for it's potential use in apparel. This vegetable leather-like material has several promising and simultaneously limiting properties. In this research, we explored a preliminary formulation and tested the resulting bacterial cellulose yarns. Our results indicate the there is sufficient strength and extension for this material to undergo hand or low speed mechanical weaving.</p

Exploring the Efficacy of Active and Authentic Learning in the Visual Merchandising Classroom

Abstract knowledge gained in the classroom can be difficult for students to apply in later work-related contexts. Utilizing active and authentic classroom learning allows students be involved with, evaluate and apply their knowledge to real world problems. Both strategies were implemented in a junior level Visual Merchandising and Promotion classroom through a project based learning environment. In this course, student completed three main projects, which included window displays for a local business and a student group, a national merchandising competition and an ecommerce project. Students were surveyed to determine their gains in critical thinking and professional competence, while community partners were interviewed to evaluate the students' work and professionalism. Results indicated students were able to apply course concepts, develop critical thinking skills and professional competence through completing each project. Community partners were pleased with the students' work and professionalism. Minor project modifications could increase these gains in the future.</p

Can Creativity be Taught?: Exploring the Impact of Creative Thinking Challenges

Creativity is forecasted to be an essential skill for college graduates by 2020. In this study, the impact on creativity, as measured by performance on creative uses activities and creative achievement, was analyzed after students completed creative thinking challenges. Results from the study indicated that creative achievement improved, but not creative uses. Additionally, students expressed a variety of sentiments about the creative thinking challenges.</p

Creativity Curriculum and Personality

Certain personality traits have been previously found to related to higher degree of creativity. Previous research has investigated personality traits in relation to creativity. Specifically, openness to experience and extraversion are related to creativity. The purpose of this research was to investigate how students in a Western University's Design, Merchandising and Textiles program would respond to creative thinking challenges and what role personality traits would play in creativity. From the results of this study, creativity specific curriculum mainly benefits students' understanding the creative process and being pushed outside of their comfort zones. Openness was the only dimension of personality which was significantly related to creativity.</p