Original Resource:

"Technology Skills among Gifted Students, Is There a Digital Divide?"

By Tanya Typer-Wood, Maria Victoria Perez Cereijo, and Terry Holcomb

Published in The Journal of Computing in Teacher Education, Volume 18/ Number 2. November 7, 2001

Abstract:

The article discusses the importance of technology skills in today's current environment. Not only do we need technology to research information and communicate with others, but it affects the way we do our jobs and the careers we have available to us. Gifted students must be given every opportunity to be technologically literate. Studies cited in the article found numerous "disparities in student access to technology". These findings indicate the need for updated computer equipment and technology-based instruction, especially in inner-city and rural schools, where the disparities were most noted.

It is usually assumed that gifted students will rise to the top in spite in any circumstance Federal legislation provides guidelines for testing and defining giftedness in a child but they provide very little money to gifted programs. Because of that, programs vary widely. . In a 1996 study by R. J. Sternberg, the following things were noted:

1. We need serious research and development on gifted education.

2. We need research that puts theory into practive.

3. Programs for gifted need to be expanded and enhanced. Clearly, we need to determine what role technology plays in current gifted programs.

Technology provides a huge opportunity for gifted students to engage in Problem Based Learning activities that are abundant on the Internet. Also, distance learning can create new opportunites for students without gifted programs or who are isolated in rural areas.

More teacher and administrator awareness, teacher preparation and educational partnerships between industries and schools were cited as steps to address this issue.

Annotations:

Website: Personal Computers Help Gifted Students Work Smart. By Geoffrey Jones. ERIC EC Digest #E483, 1990. http://www.kidsource.com/kidsource/content/pc.gifted.html
The website reviews the needs of gifted and talented students and showcases ways that computers can help meet their unique needs.

Website: Applications of Electronic Technology to Rural Gifted Students Who are Blind or Visually Impaired. By Frank P. Belcastro. http://www.rit.edu/~easi/itd/itdv11n1/belcast.htm
Electronic technology can be used to overcome many of the restrictive factors or barriers to delivering services to rural schools and it can expand the world of rural gifted students who are blind or visually impaired. On-line college and high school sites offering courses are listed. Also listed is a site for tutoring and one offering help for teachers of rural gifted students who are blind or visually impaired. Recommendations are made for legislatures and for rural school districts.

Website: Technology Counts. By Cheryl Lemke. Milken Family Foundation. http://www.mff.org/edtech/article.taf?_function=detail&Content_uid1=95#
Examples of how use of technology has transformed teaching and learning in Illinois and Washington classrooms. For the sake of all children growing up in the information age, technology education is a requirement.