Objectives
This specialisation aims to equip teachers with the knowledge and skills to effectively teach gifted children. Core topics cover conceptions of intelligence, giftedness, talent and creativity, identification of gifted students, provision for gifted students and evaluation of policy and curriculum in gifted education. Students may complete the course with a research component or coursework electives, by consultation with the course coordinator.Learning outcomesIt is expected that graduates from this specialisation will be able to: * understand the special educational, social, and emotional needs of students with high intellectual potential; * critically analyse current definitions of intelligence, giftedness and creativity; * understand the concepts of critical, metacognitive and moral thinking and the implications of these for classroom management; and * design and implement suitable curricula, school programs and policies for gifted students.
Course description
This articulated program is designed to equip teachers to meet the special educational, social and emotional needs of students with high intellectual potential. All lectures are held during school vacations in January and July and most students study part-time.
The Graduate Certificate focuses on the needs of students in the regular school system, although the lifespan needs of gifted individuals also are addressed.
There are three topics: Concept of Giftedness - Creative Intellect (usually studied first); Critical Reasoning and Advanced Intelligence; and Policy Design and Curriculum Modification. These topics also form the basis for the Masters degree. Students then take a fourth core topic Social and Emotional Development of Gifted Students, and complete a 24,000-word project, an 18,000-word project and an elective topic, or a 12,000-word project and two electives.
The Masters critically analyses current definitions of intelligence, explores the concepts of critical, meta-cognitive, and moral thinking, and investigates the implications of these for classroom management. The specific nature of creative intelligence and divergent thinking skills is studied and a major focus is the design and implementation of suitable curricula, school programs and policies for gifted students.
The Master of Education is a 72-unit flexible coursework program that allows students to create individual programs to suit their interests and thus shape their own educational pathways.
Students can choose to apply for admission for either the generic MEd or the following optional specialisation.
THE MASTER OF EDUCATION AND RELATED SPECIALISATIONS DO NOT QUALIFY GRADUATES FOR TEACHER REGISTRATION.
PROGRAM OF STUDY [November, 2008]
To qualify for the Master of Education (Gifted Education) a student must complete 72 units, including approved credit, with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, comprising:
* credit of up to 36 units may be granted for approved prior studies and work experience (credit for an approved four-year degree or for approved, relevant work experience will be granted within this component); and
* three core topics (18 units); and either:
* an 18-unit research project; or
* a 12-unit research project and an elective; or
* 18 units of elective topics.
The three core topics are:
EDSP9056
Conceptions of Giftedness *
6
EDSP9057
Curriculum and Policy: Inquiry and Analysis
6
EDSP9058
Gifted Education in Practice
6
* Available in external mode
The topic EDSP9056 Conceptions of Giftedness should normally be studied first. These three topics comprise the Graduate Certificate in Education (Gifted Education).
The elective topic(s) may be drawn from topics offered at Flinders University or other universities at masters level in the field of education. Students are expected to discuss their choices with the specialisation coordinator.
The following elective topic specifically relates to gifted education: EDSP9059 Social and Emotional Development of Gifted Children.
