BOOK REVIEW (written by Elia Canter; Library Consultant, Courpus Christi ISD) The Faces and Fourms of Creativity The National/State Leadership Training Institute of the Gifted and the Talented Ventura County Superintendent of School Office, 1981 The Faces and Forms of Creativity is a report of the proceedings of the First National Conference on Creativity and the GiftedTalented which was held March 21-22, 1980, in Houston, Texas. Before the opening of the conference, the presenters, which included several outstanding educators
and summarizes research findings; a second article, written with Laura HalJ, discusses the further reaches of creative potential or those kinds of abilities 1hat go beyond the realm of logical, rational thinking. They identify some socially useful abilities and suggest means to assess these talents.
such as John Gowan, Donald Treffinger, and Paul Torrence,
were invited to participate in a colloquium where the discussion reviewed the basic research in creativity and its implications and applications. The presenters were also invited to subm it papers on the theme of the creative process. The introductory section of the volume related the high路 lights of the colloquium. The text is composed of the papers submitted by the presenters and is divided into four parts: Defining Creativity, Assessing Creativity, Encouraging Creativity, and Applying Creativity. This program of the conference is induded as an appendix. In excerpts from the colloquium, as the participants exchanged views and thoughts on creativity, the goal was to discuss that which goes beyond what is expressed on creativity all the time. Discussion lead from the incubation period of creativity, the right and left hemisphere processes of the brain, to what is and isn't happening in the public schoo! education of the gifted child, and ways to promote creative learning. In the text, the fir:;t section deals with defining creativ路lty. ":atherine Bruch's article discusses creative characteristics, )e creative personality and the development of creative traits. Jane Preston presents the thesis that disorder and confusion are a part of the creative process and that there needs to be the ability to hang on to uncertainty until pieces can creatively come together. This section gives a perspective of the creative mind. The second section of the text is on assessing creativity. Paul Torrence in one article reports on the testing of creativity
The third section is on encouraging creativity and developing creative potential. Using the imagination of the individual in guiding creative action is the thesis presented by Sidney Parnes. John Gowan, writing with Meredith Olson, focuses on the society which maximizes creativity. They conclude that sociocultural conditions playa significant part in the development of creative potential. They expect that some society will maximize the conditions to produce a clustering of geniuses which will produce a permanent Renaissance. Calvin Tylor, in his article, treats ways to activate creative minds. He stresses treating students as thinkers rather than as merely [earners. Bruch discusses the integration of the creative arts and sciences to develop and release creativity, and John Gowan contributes his vieWS on right brain hemisphere imagery as the vehicle through which incubation produces creativity. The final section of the text is on applying creativity. Mary Wolf urges using the professional artst to broaden the horizon of the gifted/talented students. Sidney Parnes discusses the Creative Problem Solving Institute (CPSI), a genera! system which attempts to help the individual view the "universe," both literally and as the universe of knowledge at each individual's disposal. The Faces and Forms of Creativity gives the reader literature on the background, the research, the developmental efforts, as well as the thinking of many authorities in the area of human creativity. The material presented can help the educator to better understand and apply all resources available in helping the creative student.
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(Continued from page 1 ) growing desire of educators to understand how leadership is developed in our able students. Additionally, Dr. Sisk is presenting two workshop sessions on the teaching of futuristics to gifted students.
FIFTH ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Among the business conducted at the board meeting scheduled during the conference, the by-laws were modified and a new slate of officers were introduced. The by-laws amendment ensures that regional representatives will attend at least two of the regularly-scheduled board meetings each year. The new slate of officers are as follows: President, Jo Ann Houston; President-Elect, Paul Slocumb; First VicePresident, Dr. Ann Farris; Second Vice-President, Kay Weise; and Secretary, Dorys Dickey. In Summary, the conference offered an expanded array of programs and was attended by a record number of participants; scholarship donations were the largest yet.
EXEMPLARY PROGRAM PRACTICES CONFERENCE
The Saturday morning session will be keynoted by Dr. Leif Fearn who has assisted many Texas districts. He wi!! speak on a topic that combines two of his major interests, "Basic Skills for Gifted Students." Like Dr. Sisk, Dr. Fearn will present workshop sessions of great interest to Texas educators. He will "walk through" the writing component of the Agency plan for managing the basic skills and demonstrate how to apply it to gifted students. While many districts are eager to serve their gifted students, we have all had to deal with administrators who are less anxious than others to meet this need. Dr. Joan Whitten will provide the Friday luncheon address on "Dealing With Reluctant Administrators." With her unique style and charm, Dr. Whitten promises to offer insights into this problem.