A Problem-Based Curriculum: Parallel Learning Opportunities for Students and Teachers

1997 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 363-379 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda Neal Boyce ◽  
Joyce VanTassel-Baska ◽  
Jill D. Burruss ◽  
Beverly Taylor Sher ◽  
Dana T. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Gifted Education ◽  
Science Curriculum ◽  
Problem Based Learning ◽  
Learning Opportunities ◽  
High Ability ◽  
Development Programs ◽  
Parallel Learning ◽  
Gifted Learners ◽  
Creative Problem

One of the curriculum development efforts of the Center for Gifted Education at the College of William and Mary has resulted in a problem-based learning (PBL) science curriculum for high-ability learners in grades kindergarten through eight. Professional development programs accompany the curriculum, which are designed to facilitate unit implementation and to enable educators to develop their own units. The purpose of this discussion is to analyze the use of problem-based learning as a catalyst for developing and implementing a curriculum that is both challenging and constructivist in its orientation. The authors compare problem-based learning with creative problem solving and inquiry, explain how metacognition is linked to the approach of problem-based learning, and describe the PBL-based inservice programs developed for teachers and administrators. Implications for implementing problem-based learning in classrooms for gifted learners conclude the discussion.

How the State Education Agencies Addressed Gifted Education in the Title II Sections of Their ESSA State Plans

2018 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 159-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corina R. Kaul ◽  
Brenda K. Davis
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Gifted And Talented ◽  
Gifted Education ◽  
Effective Instruction ◽  
Gifted Learners ◽  
State Education ◽  
Multiple Groups ◽  
State Plan ◽  
Every Student Succeeds Act ◽  
The U.S

In 2015, the U.S. Congress passed the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) that included provisions to support gifted and talented learners. The U.S. Department of Education’s Consolidated State Plan template only required states to directly address the inclusion of gifted education under Title II, Part A: Supporting Effective Instruction (Section 2101(d)(2)(J)). We examined the inclusion of gifted education in the Title II section of all 52 submitted ESSA plans. Of the approved plans, 16 states explicitly addressed how educators would be supported in identifying and providing gifted learners with effective instruction, and 15 states generally described educator support to meet the needs of multiple groups of students (including gifted). Three of the approved state plans did not mention support for gifted education in their Title II responses. Gifted education stakeholders must be familiar with their state’s plan and understand how Title II can fund professional development for gifted education.

Science Curriculum Review: Evaluating Materials for High-Ability Learners

1995 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dana T. Johnson ◽  
Linda Neal Boyce ◽  
Joyce VanTassel-Baska
Keyword(s):  
Science Curriculum ◽  
Curriculum Materials ◽  
High Ability ◽  
Curriculum Standards ◽  
Project Staff ◽  
Gifted Learners ◽  
Curriculum Review ◽  
New Science ◽  
National Science ◽  
Curriculum Project

This article describes the findings of a review of existing K-8 science curriculum materials that was carried out under the National Science Curriculum Project for High-Ability Learners. Twenty-seven sets of materials were reviewed using criteria developed and refined by project staff. The purpose of the review was to ascertain whether currently available materials met the new standards in the teaching of science and the needs of gifted learners. The review findings suggest that existing basal textbooks fail to meet new science curriculum standards for all students, but particularly for high-ability learners. Modular programs and supplementary materials were found to be superior to basal textbooks on most dimensions.

Meeting the Needs of Gifted Learners Who Just Don’t ‘Fit’: Parent Perspectives

2019 ◽  
pp. 6-16
Author(s):  
Nadine Ballam ◽  
Anne Sturgess
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Gifted Education ◽  
Support Staff ◽  
Learning Approach ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Parent Perspectives ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Gifted Learners ◽  
Initial Cohort ◽  
Data Informed

In February 2018, a full-time provider of gifted education opened in New Zealand with its initial cohort of children. This provider catered for learners from ages 1-15 years who did not ‘fit’ in mainstream education settings. This paper reports on a research project that focused on the effectiveness of the learning approach at this school in its inaugural year. Two sources of data informed this research, including semi-structured interviews with parents and learning and support staff, and an analysis of documents related to the philosophy, curriculum, and learning approach. This paper reports on benefits and limitations of the learning approach identified by the parent participants in the study.

Principals’ Policy Preferences concerning Accountability: Implications for Key Competencies, Performance Indicators, and Professional Development

1995 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 448-481 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. J. S. Mac Macpherson ◽  
Margaret Taplin
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Performance Indicators ◽  
Policy Preferences ◽  
Development Programs ◽  
Stakeholder Groups ◽  
Key Competencies ◽  
Professional Development Programs ◽  
Accountability Practices ◽  
State Schools

In this paper, we examine the policy preferences of Tasmania's principals concerning accountability criteria and processes, compare their views to other stakeholder groups, and identify issues that warrant attention in principals’ professional development programs. We show that there are many criteria and processes related to the quality of learning, teaching, and leadership that are valued by all stakeholder groups, including principals. We conclude that Tasmanian state schools probably need to review and develop their accountability policies, and that the professional development will need to prepare leaders for specific forms of performance and generate key competencies if more educative forms of accountability practices are to be realised in practice.

Understanding the characteristics of professional development programs for teachers’ health and wellbeing: Implications for research and practice

2021 ◽  
pp. 000494412110034
Author(s):  
Lucy Corbett ◽  
Philayrath Phongsavan ◽  
Louisa R Peralta ◽  
Adrian Bauman
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Development Programs ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Manual Search ◽  
Australian Education ◽  
Teacher Wellbeing ◽  
Evidence Based Programs

Professional development (PD) provides an opportunity to promote the psychological, social, and physical health tools teachers require to maintain teacher wellbeing. Despite their potential, little is known about PD programs targeting the health and wellbeing of Australian teachers. This study aimed to summarize the characteristics of Australian PD programs targeted at teacher wellbeing, identify gaps in existing PD and make recommendations for future research and practice. Three search strategies, (1) search engine results, (2) a manual search of known Australian education websites, and (3) requests for information from Australian education organizations, were combined to ensure a comprehensive inventory of PD programs was compiled. This study found 63 PD programs promoting health and wellbeing that currently exist for Australian teachers. Of these, only three provided evidence of their evaluation indicating programs are advertised and implemented without evidence of their effectiveness. Future PD should be evaluated with findings of the evaluations reported publicly so evidence-based programs promoting teacher’s health and wellbeing can be recommended and implemented.

scholarly journals Reframing Professional Development Through Understanding Authentic Professional Learning

2009 ◽  
Vol 79 (2) ◽  
pp. 702-739 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann Webster-Wright
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Educational Research ◽  
Professional Learning ◽  
Recent Literature ◽  
Development Programs ◽  
The Past ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Alternative Conceptualization ◽  
Professional Development Programs ◽  
Evaluating Professional Development

Continuing to learn is universally accepted and expected by professionals and other stakeholders across all professions. However, despite changes in response to research findings about how professionals learn, many professional development practices still focus on delivering content rather than enhancing learning. In exploring reasons for the continuation of didactic practices in professional development, this article critiques the usual conceptualization of professional development through a review of recent literature across professions. An alternative conceptualization is proposed, based on philosophical assumptions congruent with evidence about professional learning from seminal educational research of the past two decades. An argument is presented for a shift in discourse and focus from delivering and evaluating professional development programs to understanding and supporting authentic professional learning.

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