Ready to make some changes ?
We live in an educational system filled with standardization , which makes it extremely difficult to live these mindsets . As George Couros , a keynote speaker for our winter conference says , “ It ’ s how you innovate inside the box that counts .” Sometimes embracing these mindsets requires us to restructure lessons , units , pacing , grouping , and possibly scheduling . If we know that it is best for students , we need to do whatever it takes , and we need to change what we can control .
Ready to make some changes ?
There are specific teaching strategies that are perfect instructional practices to engage our advanced students .
1 . Project- , Problem- , or Inquiry-Based Learning
Gifted students learn best with work that is relevant and addresses real problems . In addition to many other educational benefits , project-based learning allows students to synthesize rather than summarize information . These approaches also incorporate non-traditional assessments that are more suitable for gifted students to show academic growth .
2 . Arts Education , Arts Integration , and STEAM
The National Association of Gifted Children states , “ Arts education can benefit academically gifted students by increasing the complexity and rigor of the curriculum , promoting extensive use of a variety of problem-solving strategies , heightening student motivation to pursue a topic of interest in depth , and developing rich skills in communicating with varied audiences .” Of course , we agree .
3 . Grouping Models and Differentiation
While “ tracking ” is certainly not best practice , flexible grouping is , especially for gifted students . The greatest achievement gains for gifted students happen when they are placed with other gifted students , and when they are presented with appropriately differentiated curriculum .
If we fail to meet the needs of these learners , they will form learning gaps and challenges which will inhibit academic growth and performance . They will become disengaged . Worst of all is the incredible untapped potential that goes unrealized . Let ’ s focus our efforts on helping these students become academic risk-takers , and enable them to embrace their talents , accept challenges , and achieve more than they thought they could .
STEAMed Magazine
30
January 2017 Edition