PAGE and Chapman University 3 Graduate Elective Course: An Overview
Course Title: EDNU 9001, Charting Vital Frontiers in Gifted
Instructor, Franny McAleer, 724-941-4032 or 724-413-6001 (cell)
Course Title: Charting Vital Frontiers in Gifted
Course Description: Charting Vital Frontiers in Gifted, a graduate elective course, is designed to provide special and regular educators with an understanding of the structures that are necessary to challenge gifted students in the area of creative and critical thinking. In addition, supporting the intellectual, social, and emotional needs of these students is critical, involving an understanding of the nature of giftedness and the unique social, emotional and intellectual challenges that teachers and parents face. Best practices will be the focus of this course with the goal of meeting the intellectual, creative, social and emotional needs of gifted and high ability learners.
Course Objective/Goals: This graduate elective course
is designed to provide special and regular educators with an understanding of
the opportunities that are critical to make a positive difference in the
education and lives of gifted and high ability learners. This objective will be
achieved through a three-credit partnership with the Pennsylvania Association
for Gifted Education, Franny McAleer, and Chapman University.
- Participants will learn and apply strategies that support critical and creative thinking for high ability and gifted learners.
- Participants will learn how to implement Chapter 16 in their classrooms and in writing GIEPs.
- Participants will learn how to differentiate instruction for gifted learners.
- Participants will learn about the invention process and creativity.
- Participants will network with others to enrich instruction for high ability and gifted learners.
Course Outline: This graduate course is designed to provide educators with an understanding of the following topics:
- The nature of giftedness
- Acceleration
- Differentiating Instruction
- Social and emotional issues
- Chapter 16: Special Education for Gifted Children
- Underachievement
- Assessment
- Underserved and at risk gifted populations
- Effective GIEPs
- Creativity
- Technology and the use of elearning
- Leadership
General Conduct of Course, Evaluation, and Requirements
A. Before the conference --
Pre-conference research, analysis and assessment should be brought to the conference to the Pre-Conference meeting day discussion
Students will read and report on six articles related to topics of interest. The following sessions will be conducted by nationally recognized speakers.
Thursday • April 14, 2011
Full-day Session: Developing Critical Thinking and Creativity Through Design by Dr. Scott Warner, Millersville University
Half-day Sessions: A.M. STEM: Web 2.0 In the Classroom by Andy Petroski, Harrisburg University
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Introduction to the Standards Alignment System (SAS) for Gifted, PDE
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Writing PLEP’s for the Elementary Student by Cheryl Everett
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Writing PLEP’s for the Secondary Student by Tanya Morret
Half-day Sessions: P.M. STEM: Playing to Learn by Andy Petroski, Harrisburg University
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Introduction to the Standards Alignment System (SAS) for Gifted, PDE
-
Writing Goals/Objectives for the Elementary Student by Cheryl Everett
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Writing Goals/Objectives for the Secondary Student by Tanya Morret
Friday • April 15, 2011 -- Keynote Address: Closing the Achievement Gap: How Opening Doors to Gifted Education Can Help, Dr. Donna Y. Ford
Saturday • April 16, 2011 -- Keynote Address: Creativity is Essential: An Exploration of Power in Education, Kevin Honeycutt
B. While attending the conference -- Conference research, data collection and reporting
Students will assess their needs, setting goals, and determining which sessions to attend.
C. After the conference -- Conference Projects to be completed by graduate students: (1) Journal and (2) Conference Integration Project
Journal: Students will keep a journal to record the information from each session by creating appropriate graphic organizers to highlight key ideas. The journal will summarize and apply the key understandings to the student’s role in the classroom. Information must address the two half day pre conference sessions, two keynotes, twelve breakout sessions, creativity night, and sessions designed solely for those participating in the graduate component of the conference.
Individual Integration Project: The sky is the limit! Students will apply what they have learned into an Individual Integration Project using the CP2 model, to improve the quality and/or understanding of the education of gifted and high ability learners.
Cost: $445.00 (One check payable for $195 to Chapman University and one check payable to Franny McAleer for $250.00. Mail both to Franny McAleer, 321 Lorlita Lane, Pittsburgh, PA 15241.
Method of Evaluating Student’s Performance:
The students will be evaluated in terms of the stated objectives using the following point system: Research and critique of six articles (20), participation in meetings for graduate credit participants (10), journal (35), and individual integration project (35) with a total of 100 points. Assignments are due to Franny on May 25, 2011.
Final grades will be determined with the following grading scale and will be based on the total number of points accumulated on the assignments of the course.
100 - 90 = A 89 - 80 = B 79 - 70 = C
Textbooks and/or Other Materials:
- Conference manual and speakers’ handouts
- Publications by the keynote speakers
- www.learnerslink.com – link to resources necessary for this course, communication and networking