Computer-Based Mathematics and Physics for Gifted Students

Abstract

Computer-based education makes it possible for gifted and talented middle school and early high school students to complete advanced courses in mathematics and physics several years before they would nocinally do so Since the fall of 1990, three such groups of students at the Education Program for Gifted Youth at Stanford University have taken courses at the advanced placement level and have done exceedingly well. This report details those results.

Meeting the Needs of Gifted and Talented Students

“…Thomson (2010) examined perceptions and experiences of gifted students and their teachers to better understand how online learning environments can meet the needs of gifted learners and found that the online format was conducive to a more individualized and differentiated learning experience than face-to-face in a regular classroom: “Students are able to work at a pace consistent with their rate of learning, have more time to reflect, to feel more in control of the learning process, and to engage in more self-directed and independent learning” (p. 663). She also confirmed findings by other researchers (Olszewski-Kubilius & Lee, 2004; Ravaglia, Suppes, Stillinger, & Alper, 1995) indicating online learning can expand access to advanced courses to students whose local schools cannot offer such a wide variety of options or do not have the resources for extended gifted programming, and for students who cannot take these classes because of scheduling conflicts.…”

Enable, Enhance, and Transform: How Technology Use Can Improve Gifted Education

“…The Iowa Online Advanced Placement Academy offers online AP courses and exams while combining teacher training and school development as enrichment programs for students in rural high schools in Iowa (Baldus et al, 2009). Similar practices can also be found at Stanford University (Ravaglia, Downloaded by [University of Nebraska, Lincoln] at 17:17 10 April 2015 Suppes, Stillinger, & Alper, 1995) and Ball State University (Adams & Cross, 1999).…”

A Retrospective Analysis of Technological Advancements in Special Education

“…This philosophy is one that is behind the distance learning opportunities like the Education Program for Gifted Youth (EPGY) at Stanford University that provides computer-based accelerated math and science courses for students across the country. Several authors have reported on the effectiveness of this instructional delivery system for students who require accelerated programs (Gilbert-Macmillan, 2000;Ravaglia, Suppes, Stillinger, & Alper, 1995;Washington, 1997).…”