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“After the group had played [improvisation] game[s]…colours became brighter, people and spaces seem of a different size, focus is sharper. Our normal thinking dulls perception…” Keith Johnstone (1979, pg. 131) Improvisation is considered to be both the process and product of creativity. It involves the creation of new ideas, on the spur of the moment that are novel and unplanned. Spontaneity, the ability to do something on the spot with no prior preparation is seen as a key element of improvisation and distinction in relation to creativity. The process of improvisation involves thinking in different ways and as a result, could influence our thought processes. It is important to note here that while we are interested in the process of improvisation, it is only possible to measure this through the product. The product is therefore seen as a direct outcome of the process of thinking that occurs during improvisation. It has been suggested that improvisation could relate to cognitive processes (Karakelle, 2009; Schmidt, Goforth & Drew, 1975; Scott, Harris & Rothe, 2001). This program of research therefore aims to identify the cognitive changes in relation to the process of improvisation. This is measured by looking at cognitive tasks pre and post improvisation. Several studies were therefore conducted investigating the effects of improvisation on various cognitive abilities, with a focus on differences between divergent and convergent thinking; (i) the Effect of Verbal Improvisation on Mood, Creativity and Cognition; (ii) verbal improvisation in relation to divergent and convergent thinking; (iii) dance improvisation in relation to divergent and convergent thinking; (iv) Divergent thinking; Differences among expert and novice improvisers and (v) length of Treatment; Cognitive effects following a shorter improvisation treatment length. As a result of the above experiments, results were extended to a clinical sample of Parkinson’s disease. An extensive investigation was also carried out investigating the scoring of method of the Alternative Uses Task (AUT; Guilford, 1957b). Furthermore, the level of cognitive load as a result of improvisation was investigated by observing gesture in improvisation. Taken together, results showed that after a series of verbal improvisation activities, participants improved in scores of divergent thinking tasks. However, this was not observed in scores of convergent thinking tasks. Issues surrounding reliability of the scoring method of the AUT were also discussed. However, this did not affect the consistency of the results observed in this program of research. A theory of schemas was applied to the process of improvisation as a result of the cognitive changes that occured, such that improvisation helps people think in more original and flexible ways by improving access to schemas and working memory.

Breakout session from the Living the Future 7 Conference, April 30-May 3, 2008, University of Arizona Libraries, Tucson, AZ. / This presentation will focus on concepts and practices discussed in the book, Academic Librarianship by Design. The presenter will discuss how 'design thinking' combined with instructional technologies helps librarians develop, implement and evaluate new instructional programs and services, and share realistic examples of how design thinking is essential in collaborating with faculty members, information technologists, and instructional design professionals.

Syftet: Syftet med denna studie är att skapa förståelse för varför onödig efterfrågan uppstår på Telefonbanken. Teoretisk och empirisk metod: Det har gjorts en kvalitativ studie med en abduktiv ansats vilket innebär att vi arbetat med teorin och sedan återvänt till empirin för att se dess betydelse för teorin. Observationer och intervjuer är metoder som används för datainsamlingen. Respondenterna utgörs av bankkunder i en enskild bank som har valts ut med hänsyn till om de varit i kontakt med banken ett flertal gånger med samma ärende. Dessa kunder har vi kunnat identifiera med hjälp utav deltagande observationer. Teoretisk referensram: Studien har till stor del utgått från Lean production konceptet. Det är ett koncept om hur aktiviteter förbrukar resurser men som inte tillför något värde. Lean production fokuserar till stor del på tillverkande företag men kan även tillämpas på tjänsteföretag, detta genom begreppet Lean service. Slutsats: Resultatet av denna studie har varit den upplevde otydligheten och missförståndet kring kommunikationen mellan kunden och banken. Det finns även indikationer på svårigheter att navigera i bankens system. Detta tyder på att den onödiga efterfrågan uppstår på grund av bankens ärendehantering och kommunikation med kunderna.

The cognitive model of obsessions (Rachman, 1997, 1998) proposes the escalation from normal intrusive thought into clinical obsession begins with the appraisal of thoughts as being significant or dangerous. The cognitive theory of obsessions also posits through targeting and dismantling maladaptive thought related beliefs and thought control strategies, one can reduce the frequency of and discomfort associated with obsessive thoughts. The current study first set out to obtain additional empirical support for the proposed relationship between maladaptive thought related beliefs, thought management strategies, and obsessive thinking. Next, this study explored the potential impact of targeting and altering maladaptive thought related beliefs and thought management strategies, through mindfulness-based training (thought acceptance), in comparison to relaxation-based training (thought control). Finally, this study assessed which, if any, participant characteristics were associated with positively responding to mindfulness training. Results highlighted the strong relationship between maladaptive thought related beliefs, thought management strategies and obsessive thinking, with mindfulness mediating the relationship between maladaptive thought related beliefs and obsessive thinking. Research results also lend support for the potential efficacy of both mindfulness as well as relaxation based training, for the treatment of obsessive thinking. Participants assigned to both conditions exhibited decreased obsessive thinking as well increased positive mood state and decreased maladaptive thought related beliefs. Process related analysis uncovered a significant relationship between decreased maladaptive thought related beliefs and decreased obsessive thinking for the mindfulness condition, providing initial evidence for changes in meta-cognitive beliefs as an active ingredient in mindfulness training. In contrast, a significant relationship between decreased maladaptive thought related beliefs and decreased obsessive thinking was not found for the relaxation condition. Finally, when assessing participant characteristics associated with positively responding to mindfulness training, level of obsessive thinking predicted self reporting to have obtained a significant benefit from engaging in mindfulness training, with study participants experiencing higher levels of obsessive thinking interpreting the mindfulness intervention as more beneficial than study participants who experienced lower levels of obsessive thinking. These findings offer initial evidence that mindfulness training may be a useful treatment approach, in targeting and altering maladaptive thought related beliefs, for the treatment of obsessive thinking. / text

published_or_final_version / abstract / Education / Master / Master of Education

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The objectives of this study were to (1) characterize the nature of biochemistry faculty members' "instructor thinking" with regard to teaching upper-level, large-lecture biochemistry courses, (2) identify factors associated with changes in instructor thinking, and (3) investigate the relationship between instructor thinking and teaching practice. For the purposes of this study, "instructor thinking" was defined as an instructor's thoughts about (1) teaching, including the role of instructors, student engagement, instructional strategies, and assessment and (2) students and learning, including personal experiences with learning, student roles and capabilities, and student learning. Instructor thinking of three university faculty members was investigated over the course of two semesters. Semi-structured in-depth interviews, faculty members' reflective journals, e-mail, course documents and investigator observations and field notes served as qualitative data sources. Descriptive and interpretive data coding methods were applied to the data and emergent themes were reported in three individual case studies depicting instructor thinking. A cross-case analysis of the three cases was conducted and revealed factors associated with changes in instructor thinking: pedagogical dissatisfaction, creation of productive spaces for reflection by a knowledgeable other, and experimentation with assessment strategies. These factors opened the door for new lines of instructor self-inquiry and introspection about teaching and, in some cases, created new prospects for change in teaching practice.