Understanding the World of Academically & Intellectually Gifted

Watson School of Education AIG Mini-Conference

Angela Housand, Ph.D.housanda@uncw.edu

Giftedness in Context

Why discuss giftedness in context?

• No Universal Definition of Giftedness• NC State Board of Education

– alignment of program delivery with student identification

• Student Success

What gifted program services does your school offer?

Differentiation

AIG coordinator collaboration w/ teacher

Small group

Collaboration big

Nurturing in K-2

AIG person w/ teachers for referral

Domain specific

Nurturing to provide access

Pull-out

Content

Extension

Homogeneous grouping

Flexible grouping

Think lab (visual/spatial)

Directing to approp. Teacher

3 Ring Conception of Giftedness

(Reis, 1995, 1998, 2005; Renzulli, 1978, 1986; Sternberg & Lubart 1993; Van-Tassel Baska 1989; Walberg et. al. 1981; Walberg & Paik, 2005)Image: http://mediatheek.thinkquest.nl/~ll160/contents/inventors/gordongould.htm

Characteristic of EminentAdults

Ability to focus for long periods of time

AboveAverageAbility

Characteristic of Eminent Adults

(Cox, 1926; Reis, 1995; Walberg et. al., 1981; Walberg & Paik, 2005)Image: http://streams.gandhiserve.org/images/einstein.jpg

Characteristic of Eminent Adults

Motivated

(Reis, 1995; Walberg et. al. 1981; Walberg & Paik, 2005)

Characteristics: SeeingUnusual alertness

Joy in learning

Keen observation

Sees “Big Picture”

Makes connections

Intense focus

Curious

Characteristics: SpeedEarly and rapid learning

Rapid language development

Metacognitively efficient

Characteristics: DifferencesSuperior language

Verbal fluency Large vocabulary

Superior analytical and reasoning ability

High-capacity memory

Goes beyond what is sought

Abstract, complex, and insightful thinking

Gifted Behaviors NOT Gifted People!

Creative Giftedness

School House Giftedness

IndependentHigh energyCuriousSense of humorOpen-mindedNeed for privacy and alone time

Aware of their own creativenessOriginality in thought and actionAttracted to complexity and noveltyArtistic tendenciesWilling to take risksPerceptive

Creative

Imaginative

Innovative

A Sense of Destiny

Characteristic ofEminent Adults

Impulsive Egotistical Argumentative Rebellious Uncooperative Stubborn Childish Absentminded

Neurotic Temperamental Capricious Careless Disorganized Demanding Indifferent to

Conventions

Characteristics: NegativeUneven mental development

Interpersonal difficulties

Underachievement

Asynchronous Development

Uneven intellectual, physical, and

emotional development.

Uneven intellectual, physical, and

emotional development.

Asynchronous Development Cognitively understand advanced

concepts (like mortality) but lack emotional maturity to cope with knowledge

Perceived as older due to cognitive ability, but lack behavioral maturity

Underachievers: Personality

• Low self-esteem or Low self-efficacy

• Feelings of Pessimism• Anxious, impulsive, or

inattentive• Aggressive, hostile• Depressed• Socially immature

Internal Mediators

• Fear of failure• Fear of success• Negative attitude

toward school• Antisocial, rebellious• Self-critical or

perfectionistic

• Lack goal-directed behavior

• Poor coping skills

• Poor self-regulation

• Defense mechanisms

Maladaptive Strategies

Not all bad…

• Demonstrate honesty and integrity when rejecting inappropriate school work

• Intense outside interests

• Creative

What about these characteristics?

Inability to master certain academic skillsLack of motivationDisruptive classroom behaviorFailure to complete assignmentsLack of organizational skillsPoor listening and concentration skillsUnrealistic self-expectations

Twice-Exceptional

Gifted with Learning Disability

May also demonstrateLearned helplessness

Perfectionism

Supersensitivity

Low self-esteem

Behaviors may hamper identification

Look For:

Advanced vocabulary use

Exceptional analytic abilities

High levels of creativity

Advanced problem-solving skills

Divergent thinking

Specific aptitude

Good memory

Spatial abilities

What differentiates gifted learners from high achievers?

BrightKnows the Answers

GiftedAsks the Questions

BrightIs Attentive

GiftedIs Intellectually Engaged

BrightHas Good Ideas

GiftedHas Original Ideas

BrightAbsorbs Information

GiftedManipulates Information

BrightTop Student

GiftedBeyond Her Age Peers

BrightRepeats 6-8 Times for Mastery

GiftedRepeats 1-2 Times for Mastery

BrightUnderstands Ideas

GiftedConstructs Abstractions

BrightGrasps the Meaning

GiftedDraws Inferences

BrightIs a Technician

GiftedIs an Inventor

Questions?

The Question of Equity

Equity, the quality of being fair, is not about offering the exact same thing to every student, it is providing individuals with suitable challenges and experiences that will enable them to be successful and grow beyond where they are now or where they have been before.

Thank You.