Participants will examine committee process in identifying measurable gifted program goals, develop tools to collect data relevant to program evaluation, and determine data most relevant to measuring accomplishment of program goals. Participants will conduct action research to assess changes in student performance and attitudes regarding challenge, determining whether these are a result of differentiation for gifted learners. Participants will explore the obstacles to differentiation and create solutions to overcome them. Participants experienced in differentiation will redesign lessons to meet the needs of gifted students. Partners will learn and apply peer-coaching skills as a staff development strategy to support differentiation for gifted students.
Many exercises require that students sign up with a partner.
Courses in Creativity Awakening Creativity within Gifted Students Participants will learn how to stimulate and encourage creative thinking and problem solving in their students. Participants will develop the techniques used to pique student curiosity, increase motivation and enhance learning. The time and duration of the break is at the instructors discretion . One hour of graduate credit will be granted by Aurora University upon successful completion of the requirements of these courses. Attendance at both class sessions is required.