To help gifted and talented students succeed, educators need to be able to recognize their unique characteristics and modify their approach. The online Master of Education in Elementary Education – Teaching and Transforming Advanced and Gifted Education program from Texas State University makes teachers more knowledgeable about these students.
Giftedness is not just high scores on tests. It can be thought of as exceptional ability or potential in one or more areas. These can include intellectual, creative, artistic or leadership abilities, as well as specific academic subjects. This exceptional capacity means that these learners possess a different way of processing information and interacting with their environment. Their minds operate at a different speed and with different connections, which requires a personalized learning experience to prevent students from getting frustrated and becoming disengaged. Understanding this basic concept is the first step toward building an appropriate learning environment for them.
Identifying Gifted Characteristics
A variety of characteristics are often present in gifted students. According to the Davidson Institute, these students may show a rapid learning rate, a high degree of curiosity and a powerful ability to think in abstract terms. They may also possess a quirky sense of humor and a tendency toward perfectionism, which can sometimes lead to anxiety. Their ability to make connections between seemingly unrelated topics often gives them a unique perspective. Gifted students also show a passion for a particular subject area, spending many hours learning about it on their own. This intense focus can make them look as though they’re uninterested in other subjects, but it’s often a sign of their advanced abilities.
In the classroom, these attributes appear in certain ways. Barbara Clark, who was a leading voice in gifted education, noted several common classroom indicators. Gifted students may prefer to work with adults or older students and often have a great deal of curiosity. They may also express strong feelings and opinions and get bored with routine tasks. Their ability to reason and solve problems is often advanced, and they may notice subtleties that others miss. They tend to have a great memory and an extensive vocabulary, using words that are typically thought of as more advanced for their age. Recognizing these common signs can help teachers appreciate the abilities of these learners and offer them opportunities that will challenge them.
The Twice-exceptional Learner
A twice-exceptional (or 2e) learner is a student with both giftedness and a learning difference or disability, such as ADHD, dyslexia or an autism spectrum disorder. A common challenge with these students is that their giftedness can often hide their disability, and their disability can mask their giftedness. For example, a student might use their large vocabulary to compensate for their difficulty in reading, making their dyslexia difficult to spot. This combination can make it hard for educators to identify the student’s potential and needs.
This masking effect can make them one of the most under-identified groups of students in schools, since a student can be gifted even if they have a learning disorder. Without proper support, these students can feel misunderstood and may struggle in school, even if they have exceptional abilities. This is why proper identification and a strengths-based approach to education are needed to help these students.
How an Advanced Education Degree Can Help
The Texas State University program helps graduates pursue this type of work. In courses like Rethinking Talent and Transformation, students study the concepts of talent and its development by using different methods, organizational frameworks and research, with a focus on both school and community settings.
The Creative Teaching, Learning, and Leading in Advanced/Gifted Education course provides students with methods and ideas from creativity research and theories that they can use when teaching in advanced and gifted education. By understanding how to identify gifted students and their needs, educators can help them reach their full potential.
Learn more about Texas State University online Master of Education in Elementary Education – Teaching and Transforming Advanced and Gifted Education program.
