Evolutionary Learning Ecosystems for Thrivable Futures: Crafting and Curating the Conditions for Future-Fit Education

Abstract

This paper explores the shifting dynamics in our Learning Landscapes as pressure for deep systemic change mounts. Concepts of future-fit learning and future-creative competencies are introduced as part of a new narrative for new educational paradigms. A Protopia of Evolutionary Learning Ecosystems (ELEs) is proposed. The emergence of ELEs is more likely to curate and foster a thrivability world during those times of growing pressures. Six integral levels of wellbeing for thrivability are postulated, and the role of education to integrate them in the development of future-fit competencies is considered. These competencies are further explored through five evolutionary archetypes.     

Statistical models for the induction and use of selectional preferences

Selectional preferences have a long history in both generative and computational linguistics. However, since the publication of Resnik's dissertation in 1993, a new approach has surfaced in the computational linguistics community. This new line of research combines knowledge represented in a pre‐defined semantic class hierarchy with statistical tools including information theory, statistical modeling, and Bayesian inference. These tools are used to learn selectional preferences from examples in a corpus. Instead of simple sets of semantic classes, selectional preferences are viewed as probability distributions over various entities. We survey research that extends Resnik's initial work, discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each approach, and show how they together form a cohesive line of research.     

Beyond androgyny: The emergence of sex-role transcendence as a theoretical construct

Recent trends in sex-role research are reviewed with the purpose of showing a paradigm shift in the kinds of issues and questions thought to be important for an understanding of sex-role development. Two recent advances, conceptualizations of androgyny and sex-role transcendence are described with particular emphasis on the emergence of sex-role transcendence as a new theoretical construct. It is argued that while personality, social-learning, and structural-developmental theories account for sex-role identity and androgyny, only structural-developmental theory provides an adequate conceptual framework for the construct of sex-role transcendence. Questions are raised concerning the empirical demonstration of the concept.     

Creative potential: assessment issues and the EPoC Battery / Potencial creativo: temas de evaluación y batería EPoC

Abstract

Creative potential can be conceptualized as an ability to produce original ideas that have value in their context. This ability can be measured in three different ways, namely by examining (a) accomplishments or (b) ingredients (abilities and traits) underlying creativity or (c) through contextualized tasks that simulate real-world creative work. The Evaluation of Creative Potential (EPoC) Battery offers a contextualized measure of divergent-exploratory and convergent-integrative thinking processes applied in several content domains (visual art, verbal-literary, social, scientific, maths, music and body movement). The domain specificity of creative ability is represented by a profile of scores. Creative giftedness can be detected using this type of battery. The assessment of creative potential provides an opportunity for identification, orientation, individualized educational programmes and analyses of the effects of creativity training programmes.