Since its first notable appearance in the "Second Handbook of Research on Mathematics Teaching and Learning," the phrase productive struggle has garnered support from a few, yet very influential, educational researchers. However, since the phrase was popularized by Hiroko Warshauer in 2011, examinations of the productive struggle have…

This article surveys historical scholarship on science education over the last 15 years and lays out a map of the different approaches to writing about this topic found in a variety of disciplines and fields. The hope is to provide scholars interested in science education past and present a better understanding of how this enterprise has…

Research based effectiveness information is given for the following major instructional materials: Purdue Creative Thinking Program, Productive Thinking Program, Creative Problem Solving Program, Creative Studies Project, Imigi/Craft Series, Thinking Creatively, New Directions in Creativity, and the Peabody Language Development Kits. (DB)

Two stages of skill development are: declarative (facts are interpreted) and procedural (knowledge is embodied in skill procedures). Knowledge compilation moves skills from the declarative to procedural stage in subprocesses of composition, which collapses sequences of productions into single productions, and proceduralization, which embeds…

Using tenets from Vedic science and quantum physics, this model of the creative process suggests that the unified field of creation is pure consciousness, and that the development of the creative process within individuals mirrors the creative process within the universe. Rational and supra-rational creative thinking techniques are also described.…

Explores inconsistent findings in earlier brainstorming research. Indicates that variation in the number of high and low apprehensive communicators assigned to a brainstorming group affects member productivity, perceptions of status differentiation, and satisfaction with the group. Supports the conclusion that communication predispositions and…

This review shows that mentally retarded children can produce problem-solving strategies if they comprehend the task requirements, share the experimenter's goal, and construct an optimal problem-solving representation. Instruction with multiple exemplars of a task can induce generalized strategy use, and nonvolitional mechanisms play a role in use…

This article reviews the history of divergent thinking tests and provides a projection of current research suggesting a bright outlook for creativity tests. A model relating problem finding and problem solving is described, as are approaches to increasing test reliability. (DB)

This paper examines the relationship between creation and destruction in the creative process. Findings from a study involving 60 actors and 60 criminals/delinquents (ages 10-65) indicate that the 2 populations are similar in their ability to use the creative process but criminals/delinquents do little productive with their ability. (Author/JDD)

The discovery of penicillin is cited in a discussion of the role of serendipity as it relates to scientific discovery. The importance of sagacity as a personality trait is noted. Successful researchers have questioning minds, are willing to view data from several perspectives, and recognize and appreciate the unexpected. (JW)

Describes a study undertaken to determine why citizens who endorse democratic procedural norms in the abstract are unable to apply these norms to unpopular groups or actions. Findings indicated that principled thinkers surpass nonprincipled thinkers in applying democratic principles and that educators should work to facilitate development of civic…

Mentally retarded individuals have more difficulty dealing with strategic games and puzzles than other tasks. Games have been played since ancient times and throughout the world, with performance indicating wisdom. Games invariably express certain universal intellectual traits. Mancala and Three in a Row games are briefly described. (Author/RD)

Research on levels of questioning and their effects on learning is reviewed. It is shown that higher level questions facilitate reproductive and productive knowledge, but the reasons why are not clearly understood. An information processing model which accounts for question level effects is discussed. (MH)

Many influential reviewers refuse to consider the central ideas and recommendations of Ravich and Finn in "What Do Our 17-Year Olds Know?" and Hirsch in "Cultural Literacy." One hopes this will not continue: the willingness of academicians to openly debate the problems and opportunities of improving our schools is crucial to…