Throughout most of Western history, the liberal arts and civic arts were inseparable concepts, but have since become misunderstood. The university must affirm its responsibility to be critical, act on principle rather than simply examine it, and nurture the civic imagination or vision. (Author/MSE)

This article presents the Practical Action Teaching Model and discusses its four phases: identification of the practical problem, practical reasoning or deliberation, action, and reflection. It incorporates intrinsically motivating, practical, value-based student problems that call for critical and creative thinking and offer opportunities for…

The Quality Circle is a simple management technique in which workers in the same production area meet to solve company problems. The Quality Circle has been applied to elementary and secondary schools in Japan to help students to develop creative problem solving skills and independent study skills. Recommendations are given for implementing…

Focusing on history of physics, which began about 600 B.C. with the Ionian Greeks and reaching full development within three centuries, suggests that the creation of the concept of the atom is understandable within the context of Greek physical theory; so is the rejection of the atomic theory by the Greek physicists. (Author/SK)

The new Rockefeller Foundation's Commission on the Humanities' report is discussed. Some of the commission's recommendations include: improved quality of elementary and secondary schools, strengthening of humanities research, reaffirmation within education of the values of the humanities, and closer collaboration of educational and cultural…

Contains suggestions for improving writing instruction and stimulating student interest in writing. Suggests contest writing, using the poem "Jabberwocky" for vocabulary development, and an activity for structuring creative thinking. (JT)

Preservice teachers classed as having high or low conceptual levels were assigned either to highly or moderately structured learning environments. Those in the moderate structure scored significantly higher on knowledge level items; those in the high structure integrated and applied the knowledge to a greater extent. (Author/SK)

Movement programs have the potential to make a significant contribution to the goals of aesthetic education. Movement professionals must be prepared to articulate and to demonstrate physical education's contributions towards the realization of these goals. (CJ)

Analyzes the performance of individuals in real brainstorming groups in an attempt to determine the relationship between individual ideational output, perceptions of status within the group, and communication apprehension. (JMF)

Investigated creative thinking and behavioral styles of American and Chinese college students enrolled in educational psychology classes. Taiwanese scored higher on the measure of fluency. Females in both cultures obtained higher elaboration scores. Chinese subjects took more time to complete tasks and were less careless in performance.…

Notes that museums are excellent resources that provide wonderful and exciting learning opportunities for children. Provides a definition for museums and describes different kinds of activities that take place in a museum. Provides tips on finding community museum resources, and suggestions for before- and after-visit discussions for young…

Two studies were conducted, one using 80 university students and the other 140 fifth through seventh graders, to examine the relationship between problem-solving strategies (leaping and flexibility) and measures of insight and scholastic aptitude. Relationships among insight, leaping, and quantitative scholastic aptitude were found. A…

Reviews the major literature on creative processes in children that should be predictive of adult creativity, focusing on affective processes and children's play. Describes Russ's (1993) model of affect and creativity, and cognitive processes, personality processes, and affective processes important in creativity. Discusses theories of play,…

Examines six sets of data on giftedness and creativity, finding little evidence for the belief that creativity in adults is mirrored in children. Questions whether children are creative, and whether creativity can be taught. Discusses creation of transitional objects; gaps, novelty, curiosity, and exploration; puberty as a developmental marker;…

Contains the following articles to help teachers support children's imagination: (1) "Time, Trust, and Tools: Opening Doors to Imagination for All Children" (Kirsten Haugen); (2) "The Connection between Play and Character" (David Elkind); (3) "Magnets Can Dance and Vanilla Smells Warm" (Alison Lutton); and (4)…