Many gifted students are frustrated by the gap in learning opportunities for them that is so prevalent in most schools today. They have the thirst for knowledge and are motivated to go further than their peers in acquiring detailed answers to problems of all kinds including real-world challenges. But they are locked into traditional classroom environments where everyone proceeds at the same pace and in the same way.
Adding the students’ frustrations are those of parents and school officials who see budget cuts as a threat to drain funding from programs for the gifted. All of these groups – students, parents, and school officials – are looking to online education as a way to fill the gap in offerings.
Online learning is an option that can open the door to a vast array of enhanced and expanded course selections, individualized attention for students, and the flexibility for students to move at their own pace. All these factors that make virtual learning (also being called “digital learning)” an attractive option for gifted students.
Innovation in Education, Evolution of E-Learning
While educators may look at online learning as a recent innovation, the roots of distance learning in the U.S. go back to the 1800s. Clergymen studied that way, taking advantage of correspondence and home study programs, among other methods,
By the early 20th century, educational institutions from elementary schools to colleges and universities offered correspondence classes. New technologies like radio and television were used for distance learning. Then, the computers came along and became the new medium of choice for millions of students.
More Gifted Education Program Levels Available
Online learning programs today range from enrichment programs to accelerated programs or honors classes to college-prep courses. There are many distance learning programs worldwide that offer unparalleled opportunities for gifted students at all levels.
Several university-based gifted student programs offer digital learning opportunities for elementary and secondary students. Examples include the Center for Talented Youth (CTY) at Johns Hopkins University, the Talent Identification Program (TIP) at Duke University, the Center for Talented Development (CTD) at Northwestern University, the Stanford Online High School (OHS), and GiftedandTalented.com.
There are also state programs like the Wisconsin Center for Academically Talented Youth (WCATY) Academy that offer an integrated curriculum for gifted students. The courses blend online learning with face-to-face instruction in language arts, history, science, and math curricula.
Different Online Learning Methods, Goals
Online learning in the past was more of an option for adults and older students. It facilitated independent study and the opportunity to delve deeper into subjects of interest. It offered enrichment, and for high school and college students, a way to fit in targeted study routines during busy lifestyles. High school students are involved in a lot of things, and online learning gave them a way to pursue academic interests without the need for involvement with formal educational structure or teachers.
The story is different for younger students. They wanted to connect with other gifted students throughout the country and often, throughout the world. When technology improved, these students were able to contact other students in different ways and with teacher involvement.
Online learning today involves hybrid models of instruction that offer complementary forms of communicating and learning including discussion forums, live text-chatting, virtual class meetings, face-to-face meetings, interactive whiteboard instruction, and shared software applications, among others.
Younger students enjoy and benefit from the interaction with teachers and other students in a fast-paced environment. It’s much more rewarding than sitting in front of a computer and reading screen after screen – or sitting in a slow-paced classroom.
Benefits of Distance Learning
Gifted students often lack the resources they need for advanced learning. This is especially true for rural areas and low-income schools where textbooks may be limited and not much technology available. It is also true for those students who are home-schooled.
Many schools also lack the critical mass of having enough gifted students to make it possible for more accelerated classes to be available for them. Online learning gives them the opportunities to choose the courses they need from among a myriad of courses made available in recent years.
Distance learning allows independent study as well as one-on-one instruction from teachers in the hybrid learning environment. Students can move through courses more quickly and take advantage of their own personal style and pace.
In addition to learning subject matter, students who choose distance learning receive other benefits that help them later in life. They become adept at self-directed learning. They develop unique problem-solving skills. They learn personal time-management skills and how to take responsibility for their own learning. They become more adept at using technology and at communicating in different ways.
Students who take online courses develop enhanced independent study skills, collaborative learning ability, and higher-order thinking abilities. Research studies have shown that students engaged in online learning perform better than those who have face-to-face instruction. In some states, taking at least one online learning course is a requirement for graduation.
Caution Is Still Advised
Distance learning is beneficial for many gifted students, but there is still the advisory for caution. Students need to be self-disciplined and capable of working independently. Since they are working without teachers, they need to be able to ask questions of a teacher when it becomes possible to do so. The teacher interaction is minimal and teachers don’t have the benefit of non-verbal clues to pick up on student frustration or confusion.
Distance learning can be isolating and have a negative impact on socialization. Interaction with other students is also minimal and teachers and parents have to be aware of the possible void caused by this method of learning.
While there are definite challenges for gifted students in choosing distance learning to move faster or deeper into subjects important to them, it is becoming more and more popular for both enrichment and acceleration of courses.
Parents and educators need to be aware of the benefits of digital learning as well as the restrictive social environment that can affect healthy relationships with peers and teachers. On balance, gifted students will prosper only if they are guided by well-informed adults.