Teaching with Technology - Focus on Gifted Education

The gifted identification is often not seen as an exceptionality. However, these students definitely require special differentiation and support to help promote learning. Therefore, I have selected a few technological tools that I found can be effectively used when working with students who have been identified as gifted.

1. iPads and Apps

There are a variety of apps that can be downloaded to help students who are gifted. These apps can allow students to work at a level that is appropriate and challenging to themselves as individuals while the rest of the class follows a more basic lesson. Here are some examples of apps that could be used:

• Animoto
• DragonBox
• Fractals
• GeoBee Challenge
• Khan Academy
• Numbers League
• Rover

It is also important to remember that these apps can also be used by students who have not been identified as gifted! However, the apps listed above can add an extra layer of difficulty to students who need a challenge.

2. Blogging

Again, while all students are able to create and maintain a blog, blogs can be great tools for students identified as gifted because they provide a means for freedom of expression. Students are able to write and reflect on personal areas of interest, and can make their blog as simple or complex as desired. Blogs also allow for students to conduct self and peer evaluations of work by adding comments. This would be especially beneficial for students who are gifted because they are able to analyze, critique, and create which are higher order thinking skills.

3. Educreations

This program allows for the explanation of basic to complex concepts and thinking skills as students have to concurrently create and explain their work. Students can become an 'expert' on a topic of their choice, and then 'teach' the class by creating an Educreations recording with audio and video. This allows students to work at a level that is appropriate to them and they can then get the opportunity to watch the recordings of their peers and provide feedback. I have found this to be beneficial for students identified as gifted because they are able to communicate their understandings on a profound level that involves complex thinking. Therefore, they are engaged in their learning since they feel challenged yet confident.