Although I've been in gifted education for nearly 20 years, I find that the term "gifted" is fraught with controversy. I think people think it is exclusionary. That the gifted have some special talent, are better than everyone else. However, I have never viewed it as that...my view is meeting needs of students. Using our brains, problem solving, and being creative.I just read a great article by Bruce Shore from McGill University in Montreal: "Giftedness is not what it used to be, school is not what it used to be, their future, and why psychologists in education should care." published in the Canadian Journal of School Psychology 2010 June 25: 151-169.I encourage those in the field to read this; it is a refreshing study on the state of gifted education and how our every changing view of gifted is evolving. I think it is so important that we renew our look at gifted and make sure we support learners in our field. Bruce Shore Article
Although I've been in gifted education for nearly 20 years, I find that the term "gifted" is fraught with controversy. I think people think it is exclusionary. That the gifted have some special talent, are better than everyone else.
However, I have never viewed it as that...my view is meeting needs of students. Using our brains, problem solving, and being creative.
I just read a great article by Bruce Shore from McGill University in Montreal: "Giftedness is not what it used to be, school is not what it used to be, their future, and why psychologists in education should care." published in the Canadian Journal of School Psychology 2010 June 25: 151-169.
I encourage those in the field to read this; it is a refreshing study on the state of gifted education and how our every changing view of gifted is evolving. I think it is so important that we renew our look at gifted and make sure we support learners in our field.
Bruce Shore Article
I
struggle with the term "gifted". I have for many years. I use it because is classifies a population of students I have the opportunity to work with, but I dislike the nuances that come with the term. It supposes that there are students with "gifts", and in having these "gifts" they are set apart or different from other students. However, in my role as the Challenge Centre Teacher for the District, I have to use the term in order to provide services to students. I do not wish to get into a philosophical rambling about the term, however, I enjoy working with students and providing opportunities to children that are ready for a challenge and are ready to extend themselves in their learning. When students come to the Challenge Centre, they are "bright eyed and bushy tailed" and ready to learn! They are ready to take a risk and extend themselves in their learning. So, I have renamed my site Bright Lights, to emphasize the energy and "light bulb" moments I see with my students. The lights are on and they are ready to go!
I
struggle with the term "gifted". I have for many years. I use it because is classifies a population of students I have the opportunity to work with, but I dislike the nuances that come with the term.
It supposes that there are students with "gifts", and in having these "gifts" they are set apart or different from other students. However, in my role as the Challenge Centre Teacher for the District, I have to use the term in order to provide services to students. I do not wish to get into a philosophical rambling about the term, however, I enjoy working with students and providing opportunities to children that are ready for a challenge and are ready to extend themselves in their learning.
When students come to the Challenge Centre, they are "bright eyed and bushy tailed" and ready to learn! They are ready to take a risk and extend themselves in their learning. So, I have renamed my site Bright Lights, to emphasize the energy and "light bulb" moments I see with my students. The lights are on and they are ready to go!
