Education / Special Education 571

EDUC / EDSP 571
Teaching the Gifted Learner

1. Catalog Entry

EDUC / EDSP 571
Teaching the Gifted Learner

Co-listed: EDUC / EDSP 471

Credit hours (3)

This course provides an introduction to the field of gifted education and the characteristics and needs of gifted learners.

2. Detailed Description of Course

This hybrid/online course focuses on gifted learners and on how they differ cognitively, affectively, developmentally, and behaviorally from other learners. The course emphasizes the historical and theoretical foundations of gifted education, including varying conceptions of giftedness and how these conceptions apply to gifted learners from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Course topics include the following:
• Historical and current understandings and definitions of giftedness that recognize varied expressions of advanced aptitudes;
• Current issues and trends, including diversity and inclusion, connecting general, special, and gifted and talented education;
• Cognitive and affective (social-emotional) needs of gifted students as well as differences between gifted students;
• Gifted behaviors in special populations (i.e., those who are culturally and linguistically diverse, economically disadvantaged, highly gifted, or have special needs or multiple exceptionalities);
• Development of differentiated educational plans for gifted learners;
• Strategies for encouraging collaboration among parents, professional colleagues, and gifted students;
• Characteristics of effective learning environments to promote academic and social development for gifted learners; and
• Unresolved issues in the field of gifted education.

3. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

• Course readings will serve as primary course content and will be the basis for class discussions, including both synchronous and asynchronous online discussions.
• Literature reviews, case studies, and demonstration lessons will be used in conjunction with material related to gifted education.
• A variety of written and/or multimedia assignments (research reviews, reflective writings, narrative responses, journals, formal papers, book talks) will be used to help students refine their personal understandings of effective practices in gifted education.
• Group and individual tasks will be used to process and reinforce information/skills.
• Lectures by the professor will supplement and reinforce course readings.
• Videos will provide additional content for personal reflection and/or class discussion.
• Internet searches will provide an additional source for acquiring related course content.

4. Goals and Objectives of the Course

Goals, objectives, and assignments in this course address CAEP Standards, Virginia Licensure Regulations for School Personnel (8VAC20-542-300), and the NAGC-CEC Teacher Knowledge & Skill Standards for Gifted and Talented Education (which were adopted by NCATE in 2006).

At the conclusion of this course, the teacher/teacher candidate will have had the opportunity to develop competencies in the following knowledge and skills and will be able to:
• Understand current and historical conceptualization of giftedness; (8VAC20-542-300 #1; NAGC-CEC #1)
• Identify key issues and trends, including diversity and inclusion, connecting general, special, and gifted and talented education; (8VAC20-542-300 #1, #6; NAGC-CEC #1)
• Recognize varied expressions of advanced aptitudes, skills, creativity, and conceptual understandings; (CAEP #2; 8VAC20-542-300 #2; NAGC-CEC #2, #3)
• Recognize the various cognitive and affective (social-emotional) needs of gifted students as well as differences between gifted students; (CAEP #2; 8VAC20-542-300 #2; NAGC-CEC #2, #3)
• Recognize gifted behaviors in special populations (i.e., those who are culturally and linguistically diverse, economically disadvantaged, highly gifted, or have special needs or multiple exceptionalities; (CAEP #2; 8VAC20-542-300 #2; NAGC-CEC #2, #3)
• Explain strategies for encouraging collaboration among parents, professional colleagues, and gifted students; (CAEP #10; 8VAC20-542-300 #1; NAGC-CEC #10)
• Recognize characteristics of effective learning environments to promote academic and social development for gifted learners; (CAEP #3; 8VAC20-542-300 #5; NAGC-CEC #5) and
• Demonstrate proficiency in grammar, usage, and mechanics across both oral and written assignments, communications for a variety of purposes, and proficiency in writing as a tool for effective instructional planning and assessment (8VAC20-542-300 #7, #8).

5. Assessment Measures

All instructors of this course will assess learning in this class in a variety of ways.  These include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Response journals to assigned readings to support students in processing and reflecting on course content;
• Written assignments such as case study analyses, literature reviews, position statements, and reflections on local/national policy and standards;
• Small group projects;
• Class participation in discussions and small group activities;
• A research paper related to course content;
• Oral presentations (individual or in a group); and
• Mid-term and/or final examination/s on course content.

Technological proficiency must be demonstrated in written assignments, electronic mail communications, and correspondence.
    
6. Other Course Information

This course will be cross-listed with EDUC 571. This course will be co-listed with EDSP 471 and EDUC 471.

Review and Approval
March 17, 2014