Course Dates
Summer Term: 1 July - 23 August
Currently Enrolling
Award: Continuing Professional Development Certificate
“Great course- very clear and concise. Has given me real inspiration for returning to school in September.”
Teacher
Rising to the challenge of highly able learners
Course Overview
This course is designed to enable teachers and other professionals to identify and respond to the needs of gifted and talented students. Controversy has surrounded definitions of giftedness and exceptional ability but the reality is that these students are neither as rare nor as easy to identify as is often supposed; exceptionally able or talented students form roughly 10% of the overall student population. A comprehensive course of more than 20 hours duration, it tackles the myths surrounding giftedness and offers very practical strategies and skills for identifying students with advanced capabilities and talents and responding to their diverse educational needs. While most of the emphasis is on students with advanced academic abilities, the needs of students whose talents lie in other areas, such as those who may be creatively gifted, are also examined. The focus is broad and inclusive and is meant to encompass students with advanced abilities across a range of domains. Summarising current research and best practice and wide ranging in its scope, this course offers a sound foundation to anyone interested in the education of gifted and talented youngsters.
Who is this course aimed at?
This course is aimed at teachers and others with a professional interest in Gifted and Talented education. It may also be helpful for parents who want more detailed information about the development and education of children and young people who are gifted and talented.
Course Content
Suitable for teachers and other professionals working with youngsters in both primary and secondary settings, this course provides a comprehensive understanding of gifted and talented students and offers an examination of the essential topics teachers and others need to know about the education of these students. Among the topics covered are motivation, underachievement, peer pressure, social acceptance and dual exceptionality; gifted and talented students who also have a learning disability and therefore have complex special needs. Assessment skills and identification issues across the age range are also addressed. Social and emotional issues are explored and best practice guidelines for effective collaboration with parents and the students themselves are presented. There is an emphasis on whole-school planning and development to meet the diverse needs of gifted and talented students within an inclusive school context. From an evidence-based perspective we focus on how teachers can most effectively tailor their instruction to meet the educational needs of exceptionally able or talented students. By the end of the course teachers should be able to differentiate instruction, design individualised lesson plans for gifted students, and will have a much greater understanding of the needs of gifted students.
Key Course Information
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The course comprises 5 interactive learning modules, each taking approximately four hours online study time to complete, or 20 hours in total
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Completion of a Reflective Assignment gives you the opportunity to analyse the key learning points from the course and how they can be applied
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On completion of the course you will receive a Certificate of Continuing Professional Development which can be included in your CPD portfolio
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Learning is self-paced, allowing you to design your own study schedule around existing commitments, and giving you total freedom and flexibility
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Participants are encouraged to interact with each other via the online discussion forum, allowing learners to enter active discussions with their colleagues and receive feedback from the expert course tutors.
Tuition and Support
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Specialised tutors working in the area of learning disabilities will provide you with individual support and guidance as you complete your studies online
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Technical support is provided by our dedicated team of qualified learning technologists, who can be contacted by telephone or email.
Assessment & Award:
Each student is required to complete the following items
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Interactive Learning Assignment per module
On successful completion of the course, students will receive a Certificate of Professional Development.
Fees
Course Fee: £230
Student Comments
“Great course- very clear and concise. Has given me real inspiration for returning to school in September. Great positive feel from other participants and tutors. Sometimes when doing teaching related courses there seems to be a lot of complaining and negativity which bogs people down so it’s really refreshing to not have any of that.”
(Participant on the Gifted and Talented Course, Autumn 2007)
“Lovely to get a chance to focus on a really positive area of education. It’s interesting that the methods and suggestions for teaching gifted children would help any teacher to teach all children. I will be putting this information to use in our school in September and will share the course content with staff. Thanks for everything.”
(Participant on the Gifted and Talented Course, Spring 2008)
“I found the positive attitude running through the course to be very enjoyable. The readings were long but never boring. I felt I have learned a lot and have got good ideas to try out next year. I especially liked that the tutor responded to additions to the discussion board promptly and gave food for thought in reply. Thank you.”
(Participant on the Gifted and Talented Course, Summer 2008)
“It certainly opened my eyes to the gifted and talented student and would love if all my staff were in a position to undertake such a course. The discussion boards were a wonderful source of information also.”
(Participant on the Gifted and Talented Course, Autumn 2008)
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