Creativity and Education in China

Carol A. Mullen is a Professor of Educational Leadership at Virginia Tech and a U.S. Fulbright Scholar. Dr. Mullen is recipient of the 2016 Jay D. Scribner Mentoring Award from the University Council for Educational Administration. She also received the 2017 Living Legend Award from the National Council of Professors of Educational Administration.

"A fascinating tale of creativity in China’s education system with significant implications for America." Yong Zhao, Foundation Distinguished Professor, University of Kansas "Carol Mullen’s new book takes the reader on a literary journey through an educational culture that is as geographically distant as it is ideologically different. As seen through the research eyes of an American educator, the book frames a discussion of creativity via a comparative analysis. And, through cultural symbolism, the book provides an individual’s insight into the Chinese educational system." Rosemary Papa, Del and Jewell Lewis Endowed Chair, Learning Centered Leadership, Northern Arizona University"Mullen has written a very important book examining the tension between the tight hold of rote learning and testing in China and the attempt to introduce creativity in the schools. Though the rote learning approach to teaching and learning can get in the way of serious attempts at creativity, Mullen offers an array of examples in which educators seem open to ideas that encourage critical thinking, student-centered, and activity-based learning." Ann Lieberman, Senior Scholar, Stanford University

• ContentsIllustrations Foreword by Faye SnodgressPrefaceIntroductionAcknowledgmentsPart I: Environment1 Creativity Frames and Aesthetic Study in Chinese Environments2 Economics and Education in the Asia–Pacific CenturyPart II: Expression Cases3 Dragon, Fish, and Butterfly in Rural Pre-K–12 Schools4 Garden, Horse, and Crane in Urban Pre-K–12 Schools Part III: Innovation Cases5 Larva: Discovery of Creativity in Undergraduate Education6 Bamboo: Accountability Debate in Undergraduate Education7 Water: Curriculum in an Accountability–Creativity Environment8 Bat: Creativity in Postsecondary ScienceEpilogueIndexFigures1.1 A Synthesis of Psychology Models of Creativity for Education 3.1 Kindergarten Dragon3.2 Schools of Fish3.3 A Boy's Dragon Etching4.1 Garden Rooftop4.2 Horses Running Wild4.3 Elder Cradling Child5.1 Miracle Geniuses’ 3D Paper Poster Rendering of the 4-Cs5.2 Step-by-Step’s 3D Paper Poster Rendering of the 4-Cs5.3 Cardinal Direction’s 3D Paper Poster Rendering of the 4-Cs5.4 Overall Curriculum and Phase I Component: Creativity and Accountability Interplay in the Larva Case 7.1 Overall Curriculum and Phase III Component: Creativity and Accountability Interplay in the Water Case