Abstract
In this issue, there is truly a focus on international aspects of giftedness, talent, pedagogy and the challenges that face the gifted, their parents, their teachers and others. First, Joan Freeman (UK) discusses the possible effects of all the gadgetry, social media, computer toys and bells and whistles that are out there impacting on all of our children, and she focuses on the possible effects of all of this electronic social media on gifted and talented children and their intellectual and emotional development. Since there seem to be continual changes in these devices, it is difficult to predict what ramifications and repercussions each new device will have on the thinking and problem solving processes of gifted children. This article, however, is at least an initial examination of this most crucial realm. We are grateful to Joan for sharing her expertise, thoughts and insights in this area.
Tracy Packiam Alloway of the University of South Florida has examined the extent of computer use and implications for ‘twice exceptional’ children. Her study has explored how computer games and television may impact on the attention and behaviors of gifted pupils. This area has implications for twice exceptional students as it is thought that computer games and television watching may have implications for attention both at home and in the schools. Her article discusses the possibility of utilizing computers for enhancing and maximizing learning and promoting motivation in the classroom.
Wei-Ren Chen from National Chiayi University in Taipei, Taiwan, has explored cultivating a Jian Zi and the concerns relative to art, talent and attempting to promote a responsive pedagogy for the development of art in Taiwan. This qualitative study attempted to examine the operational curriculum of art relative to the promotion of both talent and virtue (Cai De Jian Bei) as well as integrating both self-pursuits and group intentions. Certain constructs are examined (Jian Zi and Cai De Jian Bei) and relevant themes are explored and examined. The issues of differentiation and development are explored within a Confucian heritage.
From Saudi Arabia, Adel A Batterjee of Dar Al Thikr School has utilized a sample of 600 students to explore issues relative to the impact of ability grouping and programme type on the scholastic as well as emotional and affective lives of students. The results appear to show that grouping and programme type do impact student scholastic outcomes and gifted enrichment programs, having an impact on student learning as well as self-perception. These are all issues that we need to be familiar with in terms of future programming for our gifted students. Some further issues for exploration are examined as there are many factors impacting on the growth and development of gifted students in every culture and every country around the world.
Eva Gyarmathy discusses the ever changing, ever evolving conceptualization of the word ‘talent’ and indicates that this construct is ‘culture dependent’ and a ‘social product’ that differs from culture to culture and country to country. The concept of talent, however, differs from realm to realm, discipline to discipline and must be re-examined together with the nurturing of the specific talent. A proposal is made for an approach entailing ‘network based functioning’, which may be more applicable and relevant to today’s ever changing world and culture.
Lastly, Rachel Zorman and Zipi Bashan of the Henrietta Szold Institute and Shlomit Rachmel of The Division for Gifted and Outstanding Students, of the Ministry of Education in Israel, describe their national mentoring programme in Israel and delineate the challenges and achievements.
Since Gifted Education International has been publishing articles on mentoring since the early 1980s, this paper adds to our literature on the importance of mentoring programmes – both formal and informal – and the authors describe a year long project for a specific group of students. The authors should be commended for their sample size and specific details of the first three cohorts of this programme.
As always, there are some book reviews detailing some new endeavours in the realms of giftedness, talent and creativity which highlight new developments in these realms.