LEARNING AND CREATIVITY WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON SCIENCE.

PAPERS CONCERNING (1) LEARNING AND METHODS OF INVESTIGATION, AND (2) CREATIVITY AND PRODUCTIVE THINKING ARE INCLUDED IN THIS NATIONAL SCIENCE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION PUBLICATION. IN THE PAPER THAT DEALS WITH LEARNING, A DEFINITION OF LEARNING AND A DESCRIPTION OF BEHAVIORAL PSYCHOLOGY ARE FOLLOWED BY A DISCUSSION OF DISCRIMINATIVE STIMULI AND RESPONSES IN THE MODIFICATION OF STUDENT BEHAVIOR. THE LANGUAGE OF SCIENCE, ITS METHODS OF INQUIRY, AND CONCEPTUAL SCHEMES ARE THEN RELATED TO STIMULUS-RESPONSE LEARNING THEORY. AFTER A BRIEF DISCUSSION OF INHIBITION, THE SOCIAL, PHYSICAL, AND INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE CHILD IS CONSIDERED. CONCLUDING SECTIONS OFFER PRACTICAL ADVICE IN THE APPLICATION OF LEARNING THEORY TO CLASSROOM SITUATIONS. INTRODUCTORY SECTIONS OF THE PAPER ON CREATIVITY ARE DEVOTED TO THE NATURE OF THE CREATIVE PROCESS AND THE IDENTIFICATION OF CREATIVE TALENT IN THE CLASSROOM. MANY CHARACTERISTICS OF CREATIVE INDIVIDUALS ARE LISTED AND DISCUSSED. FOLLOWING A REVIEW OF RESEARCH STUDIES THAT HAVE IMPLICATIONS FOR SCIENCE TEACHING THAT ENCOURAGES AND FOSTERS CREATIVITY, SUGGESTIONS FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF EXISTING SCIENCE EDUCATION PROGRAMS ARE MADE. FINALLY, A MODEL SCIENCE CURRICULUM WHICH RECOGNIZES THE STUDENT AS AN ACTIVE THINKER IS PROPOSED. THIS DOCUMENT IS ALSO AVAILABLE FOR $2.00 FROM NEA PUBLICATIONS SALES, 1201 SIXTEENTH STREET, N.W., WASHINGTON, D.C. 20036. (AG)