In a world plagued by enormous, complex problems requiring long-range vision and interdisciplinary insights, the need to attend to the influence of dogmatic thinking on the development of high ability and creative intelligence is pressing. This volume introduces the problem of dogmatism broadly, explores the nature and nuances of dogmatic thinking from various disciplinary perspectives, and applies the gleaned insights to what is known about creativity. Bringing together leading thinkers in the fields of creative studies and education, and in other relevant fields (history, sociology, psychology) whose work pertains to the various dimensions of dogmatism and the ethical problems it generates, this panoramic view represents interdisciplinary bridge building with the potential to generate new insights about the education of creative young minds.

Concepts and definitions in the field of gifted education have been unsettled and contested for many years, and interest in clarifying notions of high ability has been growing. While discussions and arguments are ongoing, most of them don't go deep enough or range broadly enough to reveal the dogmatism that limits the perspectives of professionals, policymakers, and other stakeholders in gifted education. This book looks beyond the predominant conceptual frameworks that dominate thinking about giftedness and talent. Leading thinkers in the field of gifted education question fundamental assumptions about high ability and probe the larger contexts that influence gifted education. The first section of the book includes explorations of big-picture issues pertaining to fundamental assumptions about giftedness and talent. The second section addresses ways in which economic and academic contexts in today's globalized world can affect otherwise gifted minds. Section three explores the effects of these contextual influences on curriculum and instruction in the education of the highly able. Finally, a synthesis chapter analyzes patterns in the other contributions and makes recommendations for refinement of gifted education.

In a world plagued by enormous, complex problems requiring long-range vision and interdisciplinary insights, the need to attend to the influence of dogmatic thinking on the development of high ability and creative intelligence is pressing. This volume introduces the problem of dogmatism broadly, explores the nature and nuances of dogmatic thinking from various disciplinary perspectives, and applies the gleaned insights to what is known about creativity. Bringing together leading thinkers in the fields of creative studies and education, and in other relevant fields (history, sociology, psychology) whose work pertains to the various dimensions of dogmatism and the ethical problems it generates, this panoramic view represents interdisciplinary bridge building with the potential to generate new insights about the education of creative young minds.

This title looks at the dogmatism that limits the perspectives of professionals, policymakers, and other stakeholders in gifted education. In a field where concepts and definitions surrounding high ability have been contested for many years, there is increasing interest in clarifying these notions today. This book offers such clarity, searching outside of the predominant conceptual frameworks that dominate thinking about giftedness and talent, and examining ways in which this conceptual fog stunts and warps the development of gifted minds and limits the effectiveness of curriculum development and instruction. The book directly addresses the connection between dogmatism and high ability, exploring ways in which otherwise bright individuals can make unintelligent decisions.

Each contributor in this edited collection connects educational theory with teaching practice, examining the impact of policies such as No Child Left Behind. The chapters also explore the ways in which economic, cultural, and academic contexts affect both the gifted mind and education of the highly able in America and the rest of the world, while making recommendations for positive changes that can be enacted within gifted education in the future.

This book brings together eminent and emerging scholars to present cutting-edge research on diverse conceptions of giftedness and talent from a range of international perspectives. It covers classical views, emphasizing IQ, but also seeks to move the academic debate on from the common exclusive emphasis on IQ-based skills. In each chapter the contributors address both theoretical advances and practical applications for administrators, teachers, and parents. The editors conclude by integrating the different points of view and showing ways in which major ideas, even when given different names, can be integrated to provide a holistic and integral viewpoint on giftedness and talent. This book will appeal to students and scholars of creativity, giftedness and gifted education; as well as to practitioners, teachers and education policymakers.

Morality, Ethics and Gifted Minds explores much of the current wisdom on ethics and morality while developing new perspectives on the ethical dimensions of high ability. Prominent authors from diverse disciplines are brought together, recognizing that no single discipline can capture the essence and entirety of nettlesome, complex, multidimensional moral issues. More specifically, the book explores new dimensions of ethics and morality; magnifies the importance of applying highly intelligent minds to ethical issues while developing ways to strengthen the ethical awareness of the creative and gifted, and brings diverse, interdisciplinary perspectives to bear on these issues.

This handbook examines what education would look like if it prepared gifted students to transform the world-to make it a better place for all, not just for those who receive extra resources from schools in return for being labeled as "gifted." The editors explore how transformationally gifted people can seek to make the world a better and more just place: they try to make a positive, meaningful, and possibly enduring contribution to changing things in the world that are not working. They do not view "giftedness" merely as a transaction whereby, in exchange for being labeled as "gifted," they accrue benefits to themselves: such as a more prestigious education, more income, or residence in a more exclusive community. The overarching aim of this book is to present conceptions of what identification and instruction of the gifted would look like if the focus of gifted education was transformational rather than transactional. What if gifted education did not focus so much on acceleration vs. enrichment, or pull-out versus in-class integration, but rather on how to be gifted in giving back-in using one's gifts to create a better world?

This handbook examines what education would look like if it prepared gifted students to transform the world—to make it a better place for all, not just for those who receive extra resources from schools in return for being labeled as “gifted.” The editors explore how transformationally gifted people can seek to make the world a better and more just place: they try to make a positive, meaningful, and possibly enduring contribution to changing things in the world that are not working. They do not view “giftedness” merely as a transaction whereby, in exchange for being labeled as “gifted,” they accrue benefits to themselves: such as a more prestigious education, more income, or residence in a more exclusive community. The overarching aim of this book is to present conceptions of what identification and instruction of the gifted would look like if the focus of gifted education was transformational rather than transactional. What if gifted education did not focus so much on acceleration vs. enrichment, or pull-out versus in-class integration, but rather on how to be gifted in giving back—in using one’s gifts to create a better world?

This book brings together eminent and emerging scholars to present cutting-edge research on diverse conceptions of giftedness and talent from a range of international perspectives. It covers classical views, emphasizing IQ, but also seeks to move the academic debate on from the common exclusive emphasis on IQ-based skills. In each chapter the contributors address both theoretical advances and practical applications for administrators, teachers, and parents. The editors conclude by integrating the different points of view and showing ways in which major ideas, even when given different names, can be integrated to provide a holistic and integral viewpoint on giftedness and talent. This book will appeal to students and scholars of creativity, giftedness and gifted education; as well as to practitioners, teachers and education policymakers.

Scoundrels, Thugs, and Fools depicts an adventurous journey through an imaginary island nation completely dominated by right-wing extremists. Manifestations of wingnut skulduggery, corruption, dogmatism, and the wild spin of shameless propaganda are reflected in the names and actions of characters such as Pundit O. Gasbag (a loud, narrow-minded, infuriating news anchor talk-show host at Weasel News), Shrilly Noxious (his wild-eyed, psychopathic partner in punditry), Bovine Ninny (a shallow, inarticulate, dull-witted man of puzzling charisma who somehow became the Emperor of Neoconland), and Senator Hubris Mendacious III Esq. (a long-serving politician who dances to the tune of corporate lobbyists whenever they pull his puppet strings, which are attached to metal eye hooks screwed into his knees, wrists, skull, larynx, and groin). Some Neoconian locations, corporations, organizations, and artifacts include Flaming Filth River in Empathy Gulf Valley, Lobbyville in the capital city of Fascisto, the Zealots' Court Building, Dogma University, Coughing Coal-Black Industries, the Maniacal Cult of Intolerant Absolutism, and the Boneshredder assault rifle (grand prize at the Guns for Kids Jamboree). The playful story is supported by extensive footnotes explaining the meaning of the characters and events in terms of rigorous research findings from various academic disciplines.