MCCCD Program Description

Creativity and Critical Thinking Skills in Gifted Education

Course: EPD228

First Term: 2010 Summer I

Lecture 3 Credit(s) 3 Period(s) 3 Load
Subject Type: Occupational
Load Formula: S

Description: Students explore the concept of creativity, including theories and characteristics. Brain research on critical thinking and implications for gifted education is examined.

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Review current research on the brain and learning as it applies to gifted and talented students. (I) 2. Examine the historical and theoretical aspects of creativity. (II) 3. Describe and implement research-based strategies for enhancing creativity in the classroom. (III) 4. Describe and implement research-based strategies for teaching critical thinking in the classroom. (IV) 5. Examine environments that foster critical and creative thinking. (V) 6. Analyze assessments to measure creativity. (VI) 7. Review current research on leadership as it applies to gifted and talented students. (VII) 8. Review current research on motivation as it applies to gifted and talented students. (VIII)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Research on the brain and learning II. Creativity theories a. Environmental b. Psychological c. Sociocultural III. Strategies for enhancing creativity a. Elaboration b. Originality c. Fluency d. Flexibility IV. Strategies for teaching critical thinking a. Convergent b. Divergent c. Bloom¿s Taxonomy V. Supportive environments VI. Assessment for creativity VII. Leadership a. Theories b. Program models c. Characteristics d. Training and development e. Potential VIII. Motivation a. Theories b. The Motivated Mind: Interaction of intelligence, creativity, and achievement c. Factors that influence motivation d. Goal setting e. Academic achievement f. Strategies to enhance motivation g. Self-regulated strategies

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: 2/23/2010

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.