Reviews the perspective of Donald Campbell on creative thought and argues that the role of blind variation and selective retention in Darwinian evaluation and human invention is different. Proposes that a contrast can be drawn between "smart" and "not so smart" blind variation. (CR)

Argues that while blind variation and selective retention (BVSR) may not be involved in all forms of human behavior and thought, Donald Campbell has made a compelling case that human creativity and invention involve BVSR. The complementary nature of prior and current BVSR in creative human endeavor is discussed. (Author/CR)

Discusses artificial intelligence (AI) and the ideas of strong versus weak AI in relation to chess-playing computers. The concept of creativity is considered, and an attempt to develop a computer program capable of writing short stories is described. (LRW)

Introduces the confluence model as a theory specifying the process by which the intellectual environment modifies intellectual development. Using this model, explores the contradiction between prediction of secular trends in test scores by trends in aggregate birth order and the lack of prediction of individual test scores by birth order using…

Describes an activity in which students present two mathematics-related quotations, one written by a famous mathematician and one original statement that they themselves have written. Encourages students with different strengths and learning styles to participate more fully in the lesson. (ASK)

Examines the myths about gifted education held by society and educators. In exposing the myths and providing the research-supported realities, the article defends the existence of gifted education. The article also includes suggestions for how to best shape and present gifted education in a way that creates a wider acceptance of its mission. (SM)

Reports on empirical studies that assessed continuing claims for utility of subtest analysis. Hierarchical regression and discriminate models were used to determine maximum potential of ability subtests to explain variation in academic achievement, stylistic classroom learning, and test-session behavior. Ipsative subtest scores provide no…

Bangladesh, a poor, densely populated country the size of Wisconsin, typically has elementary classes of 50 students learning by call-and-response techniques. Since 1996, 13,000 teachers from 2,900 primary schools have been trained in multiple ways of teaching and learning. Teachers are determined to personalize learning. (MLH)

Offers a brief overview of Murray and Herrnstein's "The Bell Curve: Intelligence and Class Structure in American Life." Discusses briefly the controversy surrounding the book and about research in the area of intelligence. Gives a background of solicited commentaries. (Author/JDM)

Examines the effects of physical attractiveness and gender on perceptions of academic success, achievement-related traits, intelligence, initiative, and attributions of ability and effort in relation to academic success. Finds that being perceived as physically attractive created positive impressions of achievement-related traits for men but…

Comments on the work of Arthur Jensen, specifically "The g Factor" (1998), which consolidates the psychometric, neurophysiological, behavior genetic, and comparative evidence for the existence and importance of a factor of general intelligence ("g"). Discusses Jensen's work on black/white differences in intelligence. (SLD)

Discusses the contributions of Arthur Jensen to the study of intelligence and considers his writings on the topic of racial differences in scores on tests of intelligence. Concludes with a discussion of his work on the correlates of the "g" vector (general intelligence factor). (Author/SLD)

This interview with Gregory Rawlins, a computer science professor and author, discusses future possibilities in computing and the control of technology. Highlights include issues concerned with electronic publishing; machine intelligence; power and control; and the personalization of information on the Internet. (LRW)

Assesses the etiology of the covariation between mathematics performance and general cognitive ability in data from a sample of 555 twins selected for learning deficits and from a sample of 570 control twins pairs. Results show that the phenotypic relationship between mathematics and general cognitive ability is due primarily to genetic…

Discusses 13 professional books (on multiple intelligences, changing literacies, censorship in children's literature, grading student writing, learning journals, and more) and one book of fiction that are potentially useful to educators, and that, in one way or another, take up the theme of "being explicit about explicit instruction."…