Teaching GT - A New Approach

For a long time, Gifted and Talented (henceforth GT) students have been left in the dust of the education system. "Teach to the middle" has been the overarching theme of how educators should approach education. This approach has left out many students over the years on both ends of the spectrum - those who struggle with their academic work as they "wouldn't get it anyway" as well as GT students, because they "would get it anyway".

This approach is detrimental to the development of not only GT students but society as a whole. Teaching to the middle not only allows for students to fall through the cracks, oftentimes creating social issues where the criminal justice system gets involved, but also leaves GT students bored and desiring more out of their public education with no way to receive it.

New approaches to the education system must be put in place to avoid these learning catastrophes. We can no longer "teach to the middle" as responsible educators. This website provides many interesting ideas on how to engage GT students in our classrooms:

https://www.weareteachers.com/teaching-gifted-students/

I find some of these suggestions even avant garde. For example, No. 11 suggests using the video game minecraft as a tool to allow students to explore their creativity in a controlled environment. Having discovered this game back in its early development as a source of entertainment, I find the concept of using it as an educational idea almost absurd. However, their case for it makes perfect sense. Check out the rest of the site for other interesting ideas!

-Jeffrey Doll


Bibliography

Ruth Lyons on April 13, 2017 .contest-social .share-links svg, .share-links svg { top: 50%; left: 0px; } #atftbx p:first-of-type { display: none; } .entry-content .addthis_toolbox, .entry-content .addthis_button, .entry-header .addthis_toolbox, .entry-header .addthis_button { margin: 0 !important;} .at-style-responsive .at-share-btn { padding: 0 !important;}. (2017, July 14). 50 Tips, Tricks and Ideas for Teaching Gifted Students. Retrieved October 01, 2017, from https://www.weareteachers.com/teaching-gifted-students/

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