Efficiency denotes left-brain (management) activity, involving concrete sequential thinking, whereas effectiveness denotes right-brain (leadership) activity involving creativity and vision. As executive stewards, school administrators must exhibit both management and leadership capabilities and engage both brain hemispheres to articulate and…

Among 40 second and sixth graders in a Bureau of Indian Affairs reservation school, those who participated in 6 15-minute sessions of imagery training had significantly higher posttest scores on the Torrance Test of Creative Thinking, compared to controls. Such training may increase children's problem-solving ability. Contains 24 references. (SV)

Suggests that humor promotes group unity, relieves tension, and stimulates creative thinking. Demonstrates how using cartoons in nursing education helps students identify and examine stereotypes to improve relationships. (SK)

The recession, reorganization of work, and total quality management are spurring emphasis on creativity training in the workplace. A wide spectrum of techniques are being used to influence the generation of new ideas, although documentation of the benefits is difficult. (SK)

Defines imagination in Montessori terms, describes the power and centrality of imagination to emotional and intellectual life, and makes a carefully supported case for imagination as the foundation of the entire Montessori elementary experience and, perhaps, even for adult life as well. (HTH)

Presents two solutions of the Isis Problem, finding the dimensions of a rectangle for which the numerical values of the area and perimeter are equal, to hypothesize how the ancient Egyptians may have solved the problem without the benefits of more modern mathematics. (MDH)

Samples of gifted adolescents in Louisiana (N=44) and Connecticut (N=34) were administered the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking (TTCT), and their parents completed the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Scores on tests were statistically unrelated, and CBCL scores were similar to national norms and represented an absence of behavior disorders.…

Reviews cognitive processes, control mechanisms, and structures in creative thinking, and examines the way these aspects of cognition develop from childhood to adulthood. The cognitive definition of creativity, cognitive approaches to novelty production, creativity and cognitive development, and mechanisms guiding cognitive processes are explored.…

Fifty-four gifted adolescents performed a creative generation task in which they imagined and drew fruit that might exist on another planet. They developed fruit that was rated as more original than developed by college students, and did so regardless of whether they were explicitly instructed to be more creative. (CR)

A study explored the problem solving abilities of 15 children (ages 3-6). A medical problem with a known solution was presented in the form of a children's story. Results showed that after reading the story, four suggested the correct solution. Other non-practical, but creative solutions were also suggested. (Contains seven references.) (CR)

Investigates qualitative differences in prekindergarten children's visual representations of sound. Reports finding differences in representations among three developmental groups. The more advanced groups associated visual materials with sound and borrowed from other domains to create analogies for sound. Discusses connections to previous…

Studies qualitative changes in preschool children's invented notations following extensive musical instruction. Reports that the invented notations of 50% of the children changed after music instruction, showing a progression from scribbles to enactive to melodic. Notes that no results about why notations changed can be drawn from this descriptive…

This study with 432 college students examined how variables influence the relative performance of groups and individuals on creative problem-solving tasks. Having more ideas available (through a priming manipulation) led to better individual performance. Group performance, however, was enhanced by training appropriate to problem content that…

An interview with E. Paul Torrance reviews research into creativity in the second half of the 20th century and his own research centering on the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking as an indicator of creativity. Trends in current research identified include cross-cultural aspects of creativity, multiple ways of creative thinking, and the systems…

Notes that each pupil needs to receive guidance and assistance to achieve as optimally as possible in oral communication. Discusses critical listening to the spoken voice, using puppets, using role play activities, committees in the classroom, giving oral reports, oral reading to classmates, giving and following directions, extemporaneous…