Motivating Gifted Students: Technology as a Tool for Authenticity and Autonomy

Susan L Zimlich

Abstract


Gifted student may underperform if unmotivated. Teachers can help students who are gifted to be motivated by using technology to help provide autonomy and authenticity in the curriculum. Technology can be used as a tool for student autonomy when it is used in ways that give the student choices. Teacher can use the Internet to provide students access to different topics. When students can control the depth and breadth of content through what they learn using technology, they are motivated. Technology also allows individual students control over the pacing of learning when they can accelerate through easily mastered or already mastered material, and then slow down when something particularly interesting is encountered. Authenticity, where students are doing work or experiencing learning activities that are equivalent to adult or expert experiences, are accessible to students through technology, but only if teachers plan for it. Particularly web 2.0 technologies allow students to create authentic products for authentic audiences because the can publish and share a variety of media. Technology can facilitate student collaboration and allow for mentoring from experts. Gifted students, who can be motivated by competition, can also increase the competitions available to them by looking for competitions online. Teachers control student access to and uses for technology within the school setting. If teachers are concerned about students who are gifted developing to their full potential, then planning for motivation makes sense and technology is a ready tool.

Keywords


gifted students, educational technology, motivation, authentic learning, autonomous learning

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References


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