Degree of Practicing Administrative Creativity by Education District Managers as Perceived by Department Heads and Administrators in the Districts of Mafraq Governorate

The study aimed to assess the perceptions of department heads and administrators regarding the degree to which Educational District Managers practice administrative creativity in the districts of Mafraq governorate. To achieve this objective, the study followed the descriptive survey method, and used a questionnaire to collect data from the study sample which was selected from a population of 240 male and female employees (40 heads and 200 employees in education districts of Mafraq governorate). The sample consisted of (150) participants (25 department heads and 125 male and female employees). The data was analyzed by the use of statistical methods, such as means, standard deviations, the analysis of multiple variance and the method of Scheffe. The study findings revealed that the participants' degree of perception was moderate, and that there were differences in their perceptions according to their different demographic variables. The study recommended preparing and designing training programs to develop the performance of educational leaders in education districts to implement the requirements of administrative innovation and creativity.

The Relation of Musical Abilities to Positive Thinking: A Study on Female Students Participating in Musical Activities at Maysaloon Girls' Basic School

This study aimed to identify the relation of musical abilities to positive thinking. The study adopted the analytical correlational descriptive method, and the study sample consisted of (65) female students participating in the musical activities at Maysaloon Girls' Basic School in Liwa'a Bani Obaid, Irbid Governorate. Seashore tests (the abridged version) of musical abilities were administered to the study sample; the tests were translated and adapted to Arabic by Sadiq (2001). However, the scale of positive thinking was prepared by the researcher. The study results indicated that students' level in musical abilities was high; their positive thinking level was also high; and there was a positive statistically significant relationship between the level of musical abilities and the positive thinking. The study recommended paying more attention to the musical education course in public schools; and developing music education materials according to students ’attitudes towards music education

A Proposed Framework for Innovation in Gifted Education Research in Light of 21st-century skills: A Foresight Study Using Delphi Method

This study aimed to propose a framework for innovation in gifted education research studies in the light of 21st-century skills. To examine the current innovation in gifted research, a preliminary opinion poll was administered to a sample of 358 participants representing various segments of the society, using an electronic questionnaire. The results indicated that 27% ​​believed that research in the gifted education was developed and led to new outcomes, whereas 23% said that research in this area was just replication of studies. The study used descriptive and Delphi methods to develop the main study tool, which was a criteria questionnaire of 21st-century innovative research. This was achieved by a survey given to 16 experts in innovation research methods and the gifted education. The questionnaire was given to them in three rounds: the first was by using an open-ended questionnaire, while the second and third were by using a closed-ended questionnaire. By applying the questionnaire to a sample of 160 researchers, the reliability and validity ranged between (0.6-0.8). Results indicated agreement degrees between (46.6%-44%). The suggested framework for innovation in research of the gifted education was developed in the light of criteria proposed by the experts. The study recommended taking advantage of the proposed framework according to the specified dimensions; and conducting research to develop gifted education studies, for it is a major tool to define the framework of providing services to the gifted.

Effectiveness Degree of Administrative Creativity in the Schools of Ramtha District from the Perspective of Male and Female Teachers

The current study aimed to assess the degree of effectiveness of administrative creativity in Ramtha district schools from the perspective of male and female teachers. The study followed the descriptive survey method; and the population consisted of all male and female teachers of Ramtha schools (2100). The study sample consisted of (420) male and female teachers, selected by the random stratified method. In order to achieve the objectives of the study, a questionnaire consisting of (33) items was used. The results of the study showed that the overall assessment of the degree of effectiveness of administrative creativity in the schools of the Ramtha district from the perspective of the male and female teachers was within average with a mean of (2.99). There were also statistical differences due to the gender variable in favor of females, and the years of experience variable in favor of (5-9) years and (10 years and above). The study recommended the need to conduct continuous training courses and workshops to develop the practices and effectiveness of administrative creativity for school principals.

The Concept of Wisdom from an Islamic Perspective

This study aimed to reach a definition of the concept of wisdom from an Islamic perspective by reviewing the Qur’anic verses and hadiths, the Islamic heritage in early centuries, and discussing the opinions of Muslim scholars who studied wisdom, its meanings and related concepts. To achieve this purpose, an inductive approach to data collection was followed to arrive at a comprehensive definition that helps in reaching its translation into programs to develop wisdom in individuals. The study concluded with a definition of wisdom according to the Islamic perspective and a theoretical model that defines the components of wisdom. The study also recommended that researchers and educationalists have to pay more attention to this topic and strive to develop wisdom programs through the educational curriculum.

Availability Degree of Administrative Creativity among School Principals in Ajloun Governorate from the Perspective of Teachers

The purpose of this study was to investigate the availability degree of administrative creativity among school principals in Ajloun governorate from the perspective of teachers, and to identify the impact of the variables (gender, academic qualification and educational stage) on teachers’ assessment. The sample of the study consisted of (350) teachers selected by the stratified random method. To achieve this, the descriptive survey method was used and a questionnaire consisted of (45) items was developed, covering four dimensions: (originality, fluency, sensitivity to problems and flexibility). The results showed that the availability degree of administrative creativity among school principals in Ajloun governorate from the perspectives of teachers was (high). There were also no significant statistical differences at (α=0.05) in teachers' assessment due to the variables (gender, academic qualification and educational stage). In light of the results, a set of recommendations were proposed.

The Effect of Implementing a Proposed Program for Developing Creative Thinking Skills among Student-Teachers at the Higher Teachers' Institute, Algeria

The study aimed to investigate the impact of implementing an improved program for developing creative thinking skills among student-teachers at the Higher Teachers' Institute (Bashir Al Ibrahimi), Algeria. The quantitative, semi-experimental, one-group approach was used, involving a pre-and post-test. The developed program was applied to a sample of 37 male and female students from science classes. The verbal creative thinking test of Torrance Brown, which was translated to Arabic by Khair Allah, was used after confirming its validity and reliability. The results of the (T) test showed that there were statistically significant differences between the post-test and the pre-test of the creative thinking test. The results also indicated that the effect of the developed program in developing creative thinking skills (originality, fluency and flexibility) according to the Cohen indicator (D) exceeded (0.8), which means that the effect was high, as the volume of the effect was (2.51). The study recommended that teaching creative thinking skills should be included as an independent program for student-teachers in higher institutes.

The Application Level of Future Thinking Skills among Students of Arabian Gulf University: Theory and Practice

This study aimed to identify the application level of future thinking skills among the students of Arabian Gulf University. To investigate this issue the study adopted a descriptive-analytical method. The final sample was (133) male and female students selected from the disciplines of Innovation, Giftedness and Medicine. The researcher developed a questionnaire consisting of three dimensions: future planning, future forecasting, and solving future problems. The Reliability and validity of the instrument ranged between (0.6-0.8). Results revealed that the application level of future thinking skills in strategic planning by Arabian Gulf University students was 76.96%. The percentage of using the skills of predicting future variables was 75% as students showed interest in presenting serious future scenarios. Results also showed that level of using the skill of solving problems was 84.5%. On the other hand, the study results revealed that there is a disparity in the use of an organized method to solve problems and evaluate solutions after taking a decision. Finally, the study recommended conducting continuous training courses in using future thinking skills. It was also recommended to create student work teams in all educational institutions to solve educational and scientific issues. These institutions should also foresee future through these students and offer them capacity building programs. Keywords: future thinking skills, Arabian Gulf University students.

Modeling Causal Relationships Among Giftedness Structure Variables

The present research aimed at identifying the interrelationships between cognitive, meta-cognitive, and extra-cognitive abilities, and exploring the paths of causal relationships between the constituent variables of the model, as well as verifying the suitability of the structural model with its various components in the interpretation of giftedness. The research sample consisted of (130) male and female students in secondary grades one and two in Technology and Sciences School for gifted in Cairo (STEM Egypt), (32) female students, and (98) male students. The sample's aged between (15-17) years with an average of 15.87 years and a standard deviation of 1.13 degree. The instruments of the study were applied on them after checking their psychometric properties. These tools were: Raven's Progressive Matrices test (Abu Hatab, 1977), and Torrance creative thinking test (photo B) (Sulaiman & Abu Hatab, 1976), as well as a computerized battery that includes a computerized task specific metacognitive skills test, and a computerized Extra-cognitive abilities scale. The research concluded that there is a high impact of meta-cognitive abilities on cognitive abilities, except achievement, and high impact of extra-cognitive abilities on meta-cognitive skills. The results also showed the relevance of the proposed model with its variables in the interpretation of giftedness structure. Keywords: giftedness structure model, developmental cognitive theory of giftedness, meta cognitive abilities, extra-cognitive abilities.

Teachers' Role in Developing 21st Century Skills Among Secondary School Students in the Republic of Yemen

This research study aimed to identify the twenty-first century skills needed by secondary school students in the Republic of Yemen as well as the teacher's role in developing these skills among students. The study used the descriptive method, and administered a questionnaire to a random sample of (367) students. The research came out with a list of the 21st century skills needed for high school students. The study findings revealed that there is a disparity in the teacher's role played in developing those skills. While teacher's role in developing the skill of cooperation and effective communication received the highest mean, developing the skill of critical thinking, and the skill of the digital age scored the lowest mean. In addition, the results revealed that there were statistically significant differences in students' responses attributed to the gender variable on the skill of critical thinking in favor of males, and on leadership skills and decision making skills in favor of females. In light of these results, it was recommended that colleges of education and teacher preparation institutes should pay more attention to preparing their teachers in a manner consistent with the skills of the 21st century, particularly critical thinking skills and digital skills. Schools should also be provided with technological facilities, and the curriculum should include 21st skills as well as teachers' roles in developing such skills. Keywords: role, teacher, skills, 21st century.