Development of creativity: The influence of varying levels of implementation of the DISCOVER curriculum model, a non-traditional pedagogical approach

Development of creativity is influenced by multiple factors, including the environment, developmental changes, and measurement tools. In this study, we investigated the relationship between creativity development and implementation of the Discovering Intellectual Strengths and Capabilities while Observing Varied Ethnic Responses (DISCOVER) curriculum model. Using the Test of Creative Thinking–Drawing Production (TCT-DP), 1986 culturally diverse, low-income students, K through 6, in four elementary schools in the U.S. were assessed for three consecutive years. The creativity of all children increased from grades K to 6, but children in classrooms of low implementers demonstrated a dip and some “pauses.” Differences in scores of children in middle/high and low implementers' classrooms were significant. The implication is that creativity development is supported through active learning, student choice, access to varied materials, exploration, self-evaluation, problem finding, and problem solving. Additional analyses need to be conducted to uncover cultural and linguistic influences in these four schools.     

Identifying young gifted children and cultivating problem solving abilities and multiple intelligences

The “Enrichment Program for Cultivating Problem Solving Abilities and Multiple Intelligences for Gifted Preschoolers” (PSMIGP program) was the first enrichment program for young gifted children in Taiwan. It was an extra-curricular program that was implemented over a 3-year period. The assessment and curriculum were designed by adapting the main part of the DISCOVER curriculum.The purpose of this paper was to introduce the identification model and to analyze the participants' performance in problem solving activities and in demonstrating their special talents. To offer enrichment services for gifted young children, the researchers developed an identification model to discover more young gifted children and serve their needs in learning, regardless of the nature of their talents, disabilities, or cultural or socio-economical status. All participating young children were screened in a three-stage process that included both objective and subjective assessments, including checklists, interviews, portfolio assessment, group intelligence tests, observation in the play corner, individual intelligence tests, and structured observation activities. It was also necessary to adjust the standardized test procedure to fit the needs of twice exceptional young children.In total there were sixty-one preschoolers participated in this three-year program, including eleven twice exceptional children and one child from a new immigrant home. Among these sixty-one preschoolers, eight of them participated in two years of the program; the others only participated in one year of the program.The results of this enrichment program found significant correlations among the measurement scores; the scores of teacher assessment of problem solving abilities also showed that most students performed well on all five kinds of problem solving types. From children's archives, participating children presented scientific thinking characteristics, such as rich knowledge with fascinating imagination and the ability to seek many approaches to solving problems. They were delighted to challenge others and pleased to be challenged. The twice exceptional children also performed well in the program, especially those children with autism whose progress in social skills and group adaptability were remarkable. In sum, the researchers in this program had a belief that children, whether gifted or not, did not get the satisfaction of making progress until they had opportunities to find and develop their potentials.     

盘点S4总决赛中的“大杀器”（上）

S4总决赛离我们是越来越近了,截止到发稿日,所有赛区的参赛队伍均已产生,其中属韩国OGN赛区的整体实力最强。但即便如此,笔者还是希望国内的EDG、OMG、皇族这三支队伍,以及全部由国人选手组成的LMQ战队能在S4总决赛的舞台上有一个良好的表现。     

LPL战报

此次为大家带来的四场比赛分别来自于LPL春季赛和2015德玛西亚杯。德玛西亚杯算是除了LPL联赛以外,国内最为重头的LOL赛事了,为了让参赛队伍能够参加线下总决赛,LPL春季赛甚至还停办一周,可见该赛事的重要性。而这个德玛西亚杯应该算是EDG战队封神的见证,因为它竟然以全胜战绩夺得了冠军,可见该队伍在LOL领域的统治力。     

LPL夏季赛精彩场次解析

LPL夏季赛的战火终于燃起,12支劲旅的激烈厮杀让这个夏天变得更加充实,尤其对于刚高考完的读者朋友来说,接下来的暑假就可以好好享受一番了。此次LPL夏季赛涌现了QG、RNG和UP这三只新队伍,且各个战队的阵容都有一定的调整补强,这比赛一定比上赛季要更加激烈精彩。