This paper discusses the dialectics of creativity, especially in group behavior; notes how stabilizing influences result in hard-programed behavior; outlines habits of thinking, learning, and behaving that help in developing creative potential; and presents exercises to encourage flexibility in the group creative process and counter inhibiting…

The ability to develop new problem descriptions, called problem restructuring in architectural design, has been related to creativity. Looking at human creativity through problem restructuring is likely to offer more research results and questions and can benefit understanding of the role of creativity in professional practice and related decision…

Offers a sketch of a concept called the "liminal state" that may represent a central element of designing and a condition that facilitates the best design products and processes. A definition of "liminal state," some contexts in which it may occur, and some areas where liminal states might improve performance are given.…

The OZ Creative Thinking Network is a volunteer group of Du Pont Corporation employees devoted to educating themselves and others concerning creativity and innovation. This network, organized in 1986, has a current membership of over 600 employees and has produced a book that couples essays expressing concepts in creativity and innovation with…

Describes a Chicago kindergarten teacher's experiences recording her students' conversations. She believes that kindergarteners are original thinkers and that kindergarten is ideal for intellectual and philosophical growth of teachers and children. She constantly observes, analyzes, and evaluates her own actions and turns to the children for…

Presents a critical thinking exercise program, modeled on a physical exercise workout, for elementary teachers to use in the classroom. It includes warm-up exercises, a more strenuous workout, and a cool-down period for the brain. (SM)

Discusses the Renaissance idea of "copia," a rhetorical and literary term indicating enthralling richness in terms of detail, variation, and figures of speech, which might now be termed "copias thinking." Offers examples from Erasmus, Rabelais, Montaigne, and Shakespeare. Discusses the uses for copias thinking. (SR)

The Creativity Styles Questionnaire-Revised was administered to 93 supervising managers of a national corporation. Highly creative managers reported greater belief in unconscious processes, used a greater number of techniques, and were more motivated toward ideas than development of a concrete final product. (Author/DB)

Focuses on problem-based learning (PBL). Explains ill-defined problems of PBL and compares PBL with the typical problem solving approach. Lists 10 steps to involve students in constructing understanding for use with PBL. (YDS)

A company designs and delivers treasure and scavenger hunts for corporate and institutional clients. Groups are divided into teams that must solve puzzles for directions or clues. The hunts build creativity, teamwork, communication skills, and an appreciation of others' strengths. An insert includes a four-puzzle mini-treasure hunt. (TD)

Describes a method of modifying a spelling curriculum to meet the academic needs of gifted learners. Word Class combines a self-selected approach to spelling instruction with thinking skills and enables gifted learners to make choices about their learning as they engage in creative, high-level thinking. (Author/CR)

Presents a portfolio assignment giving students an opportunity for creativity in designing their portfolios to demonstrate their progress in the course. Presents examples from student portfolios and outlines portfolio goals. Concludes with student reactions to the class portfolio, information on the grading procedure, and candidate courses for…

Reviews studies on the cognitive mechanisms underlying creative thought and proposes a general model. This model holds that creative thought involves interactions among a number of distinct cognitive components. Some of the implications of this model for the design of effective educational programs are discussed. (Author/CR)

Presents a model of creative and critical thinking in which analogical reasoning is used to link planes of thought and generate ideas that are then tested by employing an "if/and/then" pattern of reasoning. Presents data suggesting that such thinking skills develop first in familiar and observable contexts before they can be used in less familiar…

The predictive validity of original thinking, as measured by two subtests of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, to the performance of real-world creative activities (in such domains as art, drama, sport, music, and dance) was examined in 60 second-graders. Original thinking was significantly related to creative performance but not to…