EDLT388/488: Internet Learning for Gifted and Talented Children

 

Staff of This Unit

Howard Smith, the coordinator of this unit, may be contacted as follows, if you have questions about any aspect of it:
Phone: (02) 6773 3109
Email: howard.smith@une.edu.au

Note that email is usually the best way to contact me.

 

Aim

The aim of this unit is to have you critically analyse recent developments in the provision of Internet-based learning for gifted and talented children and to develop your understanding of the problems and possibilities associated with learning via the Internet.

 

Objectives

Through participation in this unit you will:

1. consider constructive ways of addressing the technical and ethical issues associated with Internet-based learning;

2. appreciate the Internet as a teaching and learning tool for collaborative communication and for locating information resources;

3. develop a library of Internet resources;

4. identify gaps in the research knowledge base about online and other forms of distance education;

5. have developed defensible criteria for judging the quality of web sites;

6. be able to incorporate high quality web sites into the design of enrichment and extension units or activities;

7. have determined strategies for developing gifted children's ability to evaluate web sites;

8. be competent users of a range of search engines;

9. have developed your confidence and skill in leading and participating in online asynchronous and synchronous discussions;

10. produce an enrichment or extension unit of work with a substantial Internet component.

 

Content

This unit will require students to analyse and evaluate the structure and processes of online and multimedia enrichment and extension for gifted and highly able school students, including existing 'virtual schools' for the gifted.

Ethical considerations will be examined and the potential of networking and online mentoring explored.

Challenges associated with teaching Internet research skills and website evaluation will be addressed.

The unit is provided in online format, with interaction via forums and chat rooms.

Wherever possible, you are encouraged to put into practice and evaluate the approaches, programs and ideals that you encounter during this unit. However, this is not essential and you will not be disadvantaged as far as assessment is concerned if you do not have ready access to a class or school.

You will need to follow the Unit Sections very closely to ensure that your online contributions (postings) are made on time. In order to be successful, online units must have a clearly defined structure, explicit expectations for online tasks and specific times and dates for postings (Bonk & King, 1998). This information will be provided in each Section Page.

Each Section Page will contain the following:

• a brief introduction of the work to be covered
• a statement of the required readings
• a description of any tasks you are expected to complete
• latest dates for posting
• any follow up activities that may be necessary.

 

Unit Sections

Section One: Introductory tasks and characteristics of gifted students.

Section Two: Online provision overview.

Section Three: What makes good online enrichment?

Section Four: Conceptual Frameworks and Planning.

Section Five: Information literacy.

Section Six: Information retrieval and ethical issues.

Section Seven: Evaluation and validation of information.

Section Eight: Creation and evaluation of online enrichment.

 

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