Contemporary real-world problems require creative solutions, necessitating the preparation of a new generation of creative experts capable of finding original solutions to ill-structured problems. Although much school-based training in creativity focuses on discrete skills, real-world creativity results from a multidimensional interaction between…

Review of problem-based learning (PBL) finds that innovation is comprised of four elements: an ill-structured problem, substantive content, student apprenticeship, and self-directed learning. Research evidence suggests that PBL is better than traditional instruction on long-term information retention, conceptual understanding, and self-directed…

Research on high school students using the Perry scheme (progressing from dualism to multiplicity, contextual relativism, and dialectic reasoning) suggests gifted students are at least one stage ahead of their agemates. While most students are grasping the notion of unanswered questions, gifted students are seeking structures to help them explain…

This study found that participants (n=78) in Science, Society and the Future, a problem-based course for gifted high school students, exhibited significant improvement in problem-solving schemes compared to a group of 42 gifted nonparticipants. The pattern of change was not consistent across problem-solving steps. (JDD)

This study found no differences in content acquisition (as measured by a standardized test) of 167 gifted 10th graders in American Studies classes who received either a problem-based learning approach or traditional instruction. Results did not support the common assumption that curriculum fostering higher order thinking skills inevitably results…