Teaching Gifted Students Through Distance Learning

1. Teaching Gifted Students Through Distance Learning Curriculum Integration of Technology PSE 6608 V. Gibson

2. What is Distance Learning? An institution in which learning groups are physically separated, but are brought together by electronic interactive means.

3. Who is a Gifted Student? The Georgia Department of Education defines a gifted student as one who “demonstrates a high degree of intellectual and or creative ability, exhibits an exceptionally high degree of motivation, excels in specific academic fields, and who needs special instruction and or ancillary services to achieve at levels commensurate with his or her abilities.”

4. Characteristics of Gifted StudentsLearning • Superior intelligence • Excellent memory • Highly logical • Learn easily and rapidly • Extensive vocabulary • Skilled problem solvers • Original and elaborate ideas • Sustained attention span • Highly observant • More curious than average students • Question things critically • Transfer learning • Ask challenging and though provoking questions

5. Characteristics of Gifted Students Motivational • See tasks to completion • Learn independently • Dislike cooperative learning • Take charge • Delegate responsibilities • Opinionated • Strong beliefs

6. Characteristics of Gifted Students Creative • Intellectually playful and humorous • Likes experimentation • Find new and creative ways of doing things

7. Needs of Gifted Students • Challenged mentally • Tailored instructions (level of work) • Differentiated instructions • Taught appropriate study skills • Mentor or counselor (preferably gifted) • Interact with other gifted students • Pursue their own learning goals

8. Problems Encountered byGifted Students • Loneliness and isolation from their peers • Misunderstood by their peers • boredom • Underachievement • lack of teacher training and differentiation

9. Why Distance Learning? Distance Learning Protocol Instructor Must Provide • A Storyboard of the Course • Detailed Instruction About Student Role • Detailed Instruction About Instructor Role • A syllabus • Course Expectation and Grading Information • A Rubric • Flexible Assignment Deadlines • Consistent Feedback • Flexible Information

10. Why Distance Learning? Gifted Learning Protocol Instructor Must Provide • A Storyboard of the Course • Detailed Instruction About Student Role • Detailed Instruction About Instructor Role • A syllabus • Course Expectation and Grading Information • A Rubric • Flexible Assignment Deadlines • Consistent Feedback • Flexible Information • Independent Study Contract

11. Why Distance Learning? • Gifted students leave behind feelings of rejection and isolation from their peers • Flexibility of time and space • Students work at their own pace • Meet their academic peers online • Various content presentation • Multimedia, video, text, images, research studies, analytic reports, mini thesis, animated products using macromedia flash, dialogue, digitized animation, discussion forums, synchronous and asynchronous online discussions

12. Online Classroomfor Gifted Students

13. Student Web Pagefor Gifted Students

14. Disadvantages of Distance Learning for Gifted Students • Lack of Teacher Training with Online Tools • Online Lectures • Information Overload • Credible/Lack of Credible Information • Special Hardware and Software • Service Disruption

15. Student Requirements Online Traits/Gifted Traits • Self Discipline • Motivation • Comfort with the Technology • Time Management Skills • Self Selected Mode of Learning

16. Gifted Student Feedback • Satisfaction with the Program. • Self Paced Learning • Rapid academic Progression • Advance Placement Classes • Higher Scores than Previously • Adequate Technical Assistance • Easy Access to Information • Satisfactory Online Communication • Desire for Continued Online Education

17. References • Adams, C. M., & Cross, T. L. (1999, Winter). Distance learning opportunities for academically gifted students. Journal of Secondary Gifted Education, 11(2), 88. • Albright, M., Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., & Zvacek, S. (2006). Teaching and learning at a distance (3rd ed.). Columbus, OH: Pearson. • Bull, K., Hull, D., May, J., Montgomery, D., & Overton, R. (2000, March 10). Beginning an online introductory gifted course. Retrieved July 7, 2008, from http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICDocs/data/ericdocs2sql/content_storage_01/0000019b/80/1 • Cyr, S. (2004, Spring). Can distance learning meet the needs of gifted elementary math students?. Gifted Child Today, 27(2), 42. • Del, S. (2002, Fall). A new educational opportunity for teachers and parents. Gifted Child Today, 25(4), 30. • Education Blog Romow (2008, June 4). How to teach gifted students. Retrieved July 10, 2008, from http://www.romow.com/education-blog/how-to-teach-gifted-students • Mocomb Intermediate School District (2004). Gifted children. Retrieved July 1, 2008, from http://www.misd.net/Gifted/giftedchildren.htm • Nicholas, H., & Ng, W. (2007, Spring). Technology and independent learning. Roeper Review, 29(3), 190-196. • Peanut Butter Wiki (2008). Peanut Butter Wiki. Retrieved July 10, 2008, from http://pbwiki.com • Ruth, S. S. (2006). Meeting the needs of gifted students. Retrieved July 1, 2008, from http://www.mycinnamontoast.com/gifted.html • Tomlinson, C. A. (1995, October). Differentiating Instruction for Advanced Learners in the Mixed-Ability Middle School Classroom. Eric Digest, #E536