A Mixed-Method Research Study of Dual Enrolled Students’ Experiences in a Research Course: Research Capital Development?

Early college and dual enrollment initiatives provide students opportunities for college credit courses and increased academic engagement. The purpose of this mixed methods research study was to examine the case of 79 dual-enrolled students in a research methodology course using online surveys and focus groups. Students perceived increased knowledge regarding undergraduate research content, whereas their perceived research usefulness decreased slightly. Likewise, students felt increased comfort with research and expressed perceived benefits but felt anxiety by setting different types of expectations and comparisons. Findings add to the relevant literature by mixing quantitative and qualitative data in this case study to allow for meta-inferences about the dichotomy of being a dual-enrolled student taking research courses, and by suggesting the notion of research capital related to the dynamics of dual enrollment programs in a Southeastern state.

The ChallenGE Project: Using Design-Based Research to Determine the Effectiveness of a Design Thinking Approach to Professional Learning in Gifted Education

Using a Design Thinking (DT) approach, the ChallenGE Project in South Australia (SA) was an innovative professional learning (PL) program that was developed, implemented, and researched by three Senior Educational Consultants from the Association of Independent Schools of South Australia (AISSA) and one academic from Flinders University over three years. The aim was to support participating schools (n = 27) to improve outcomes for their highly able learners (HALs). The ChallenGE Design-Based Research (DBR) project developed principles and a framework for contextualised PL in gifted education through an inductive qualitative manual coding analysis of participants’ self-reported learning. This paper, applying the format for reporting DBR studies recommended by Jen et al. (2015) explains the goals and elements of the innovation, the setting within which it was implemented, a description of each phase, the outcomes, and the lessons learned. This research study contributes to an expanded view of effective PL in gifted education using insights gained from a DT approach.

The Achievement Motivation Enhancement Curriculum: Evaluating an Affective Intervention For Gifted Students

The present qualitative pilot study aimed to evaluate students’ perceptions of procedures and outcomes from an affective intervention to increase achievement motivation among gifted students. The intervention was implemented at a summer program with 20 students. Using inductive analysis, participants’ perceptions of the intervention and its effects were evaluated. This study’s findings show most students enjoyed the Achievement Motivation Enhancement sessions and felt they benefited from talking about their experiences with peers in small groups. Students discussed improved self-perceptions and said they benefitted from learning goal valuation, goal-setting, and self-regulation strategies. Implications are discussed.

Learning Transdisciplinary Collaboration: Undergraduate Student Perceptions of Successes and Areas for Improvement in Transdisciplinary, Problem-Focused Honors Seminar Courses

The honors college at a large land-grant research university developed transdisciplinary courses to provide undergraduate opportunities for small, student-centered classes and collaborative problem engagement in a global context. In these courses, students engage principles of competency-based education and inquiry-based learning combined with instruction in transdisciplinarity and decision-making tied to the college mission statement and course learning outcomes. As an observational study, we surveyed 91 honors students from 12 transdisciplinary courses over three semesters, asking five-point Likert scale questions and open-ended perspective questions at the beginning and end of each semester. Participants predominantly identified as White (74%), male (57%), senior-level students (67%), and represent 34 majors. Findings emphasize outcomes of lasting faculty relationships and opportunities to explore interests outside students’ majors, which respondents report influencing their academic development. Students also report areas for curricular improvement in developing research skills and engaging problem-focused experiences. We describe new offerings made to address findings.

No Strong Evidence of Stereotype Threat in Females: A Reassessment of the Meta-Analysis

Recently, Picho-Kiroga (2021) published a meta-analysis on the effect of stereotype threat on females. Their conclusion was that the average effect size for stereotype threat studies was d = .28, but that effects are overstated because the majority of studies on stereotype threat in females include methodological characteristics that inflate the apparent effect size. In this response, I show that Picho-Kiroga et al. (2021) committed fundamental errors in their meta-analysis that undermine confidence in the article and warrant major corrections. But even if the data were not flawed, the conclusion that Picho-Kiroga et al. (2021) should have reached is that their results are most consistent with a population effect size of zero. There is no compelling evidence that stereotype threat is a real phenomenon in females.

Students’ Experiences in Summer Enrichment Engineering Courses: An Input–Process–Outcome Model of Collaborative Creativity

In this study, we examined students’ experiences regarding precollege engineering curricula, classroom environments, and their experiences with the creative process in two engineering courses offered in a university-based summer enrichment program. Applying provisional and open coding to interview data from 16 participants, an Input–Process–Outcome Model of Collaborative Creativity (IPOCC model) was developed. The IPOCC model expands the 4P model of creativity to incorporate more collaborative contexts. The IPOCC model suggests that in K–12 collaborative practice, creativity involves group-level considerations in addition to individual-level components. The IPOCC model offers insights for educators in terms of input components, group processes, and mediating factors that can facilitate learners’ engagement in creative teamwork. The findings of this study indicated that a combination of challenging tasks, open-ended problems, and student teamwork provides a rich environment for learners’ engagement to think creatively.

Considering the Long-Term Transformative Impact of Creativity Training on the Work and Lives of Teachers

The purpose of this study is to examine teacher perceptions of the long-term transformative impact of Piirto’s Creativity Model and personal creativity exploration on teachers. Creativity training has been part of Ashland University’s Talent Development program for over 20 years using Piirto’s creativity model. The course encompasses multiple models of creativity, including the Torrance Incubation Model and Creative Problem Solving; however, significant time focuses on teachers’ own creativity through activities such as thoughtlogs, a Meditation Day field trip, and a personal creativity project. This study examines alumni perceptions of personal creativity exploration on their teaching lives. Data were collected through surveys and interviews. Questions include course memories, perception of the course’s impact on teaching and personal transformation. Results show that the course models community and group trust, and teachers increased understanding and valuing of their own creativity and that of students.

The Impact of School Environment on Talent Development: A Retrospective View of Gifted British and Polish College Students

The aim of this study was to examine gifted British and Polish college students’ ( N = 30) retrospective perceptions of their school environments in relation to talent development using a semi-structured, in-depth interview. Qualitative analyses revealed how school and teachers influenced gifted students’ talent development. Findings indicate that, according to both the British and the Polish students, teachers play an extremely important role in their talent development. The environment in English schools was depicted as considerably more facilitative than the Polish school environment, although both have their advantages and disadvantages. Although this research study does not claim universal representation, the findings may be of significance to school, educational, and psychological practices on preventive, teaching, and interpersonal levels.

The Potential of Advanced Placement to Improve College Outcomes and Narrow Racial/Ethnic and Socioeconomic Disparities

The U.S. economy requires a highly educated workforce, yet too few black, Latino, and low-income students attend, persist, and graduate from college. The present study examines the college outcomes of participants in a model Advanced Placement® (AP) intervention to shed light on its effectiveness and determine whether improving AP participation and performance is a promising strategy for closing persistent racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in college outcomes. Findings suggest the college outcomes of program participants are better than those of similar students statewide while also highlighting variation within and across subgroups. At the same time, they confirm that AP participation and performance predict college outcomes and suggest that improving AP participation and performance among low-income white, black, and Latino students could be a useful strategy for closing persistent racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in college outcomes.