The investment placed towards the integration of technology is oftened questioned. This brief presentation outlines the potential for gifted learning environments to benefit from its adoption.

1. The Gifts of
Technology
in a
Gifted Learning
Environment
Tracie Hightower
Technology
The illiterate of the future will not be Coach
the person who cannot read. It will be
the person who does not know how to
learn. – Alvin Toffler

2. Merging the Goals of Gifted
Instruction
• Rigorous personalized • Process large amounts • Individualized learning
Gifted Instruction
curriculum of information
Gifted Learners
Technology
• A model for positive
• Emotionally-supportive • Fluid thinkers ethical practices
environment • Ability to quickly relate • Accommodates a
• Intellectual stimuli ideas collaborative learning
• Empowerment • Very inquisitive environment
opportunities • Extremely curious • Provides a conduit for
• Character building • Welcome complexity communication
• Creative engagement • Thrive on multiple beyond the classroom
• Critical thinking ways in problem- • Establishes access to
• Genuine collaboration solving evaluate and
• Social intelligence • Seek new and different synthesize information
• Safe environment relationships amongst • Solve complex real-
unrelated ideas world solutions
• Sensitive to aesthetics • Sustains higher-level
cognitive and
interpersonal skills
• Preparation for 21st
century skills

3. BEHAVIORS TO SKILLS
Problem- Synthesize
Responsibility solving Information
Critical
Innovative
Leadership Thinking
Analytical Creativity
Holistic
Learner Curate
Logic Inquisitive
Knowledg
e
Productivity
Self-directed
Responsibili Communic
Accountability ty ation
Collaboration
Literacy
Social
Finance Health Community Intelligence

4. Critical Considerations
Professional Professional
Development Online Networks
Educators need to: Educators benefit
• See the results from students from:
prior • Validation of success from other
to full acceptance peers
• Feel safe to try new approaches • Peer to peer support when
with adequate support and implementing new ideas
follow- • A place to reflect upon lessons
up learned and share successes
• Have an appropriate place to • Explore innovative practices
reflect upon lessons learned and through a shared lens
share successes • Moral support and
• Sometimes unlearn traditional encouragement
beliefs about educating through online discussion
• Increase collaborative • Collaborative intelligence
intelligence

5. We All Win!
Student Achievement
Individualized Learning
21st century skills
Studen
t
Educator School
Accelerated and deeper
Professional Connectivity learning experiences
Motivation and
Strong Toolbox empowerment
Richer Interactions Beacon of emerging
practices

6. Summary
The illiterate of the future will not be the person who cannot
read. It will be the person who does not know how to learn.
– Alvin Toffler
When used purposefully, Technology is
the conduit for:
Differentiated learning practices
Modeling behaviors for 21st century skills
“Curating” Knowledge for greater retention
…. Increasing our ability to learn to learn.