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Tips for Parents: Technology and the Young Profoundly Gifted Child

This Tips for Parents article is from a seminar hosted by Tonya L. Witherspoon. She references in excess of 60 online links to fun technology projects and programs that help mentally stimulate gifted children. Witherspoon recommends everything from clay animation projects to roaming robots and electronic portfolios.
  • Topics
    • By Subject Area: Technology
    • For Parents: Tips for Parents from YS Seminars
  • Author
    Witherspoon, T.
  • Organization
    Davidson Institute for Talent Development
  • Year
    2006

About the Author:
Tonya L. Witherspoon is a technology integration specialist at Wichita State University and author of the book “Multidisciplinary Units for Prekindergarten Through Grade 2,” published by ISTE The International Society for Technology in Education. Tonya led an online seminar on using technology with very young profoundly gifted children. The following list of resources was compiled from that discussion.

Look for technology tools that allow children to create and produce, brainstorm, analyze, and communicate ideas NOT just respond, react, and consume. Below is a list of technology projects, software, and online resources that were discussed in the seminar.

1. Digital Portfolios
When children use computers and technology to create digital products it is easy to begin collecting these products in a digital portfolio. Non-digital products can be scanned or photographed to add to a digital portfolio. In addition, movies and sound files can be saved to capture action, thoughts, and voices.

Digital artifacts can be collected and organized in a PowerPoint presentation, a webpage, a blog, a word document, etc. These files can be burned on CD or DVD and easily stored, duplicated, and shared.

An artifact becomes evidence when it is related to a goal or objective and includes a personal reaction or reflection that acts as a caption. A digital portfolio is NOT just a scrapbook. A digital portfolio is a thoughtfully selected group of items that can be used as evidence to prove a learning objective. It also includes personal reflections and future goals. Below are some informative sites on portfolio development:

Essential Schools
Electronic Porfolios
Education World
Electronic Portfolios - Families

2. Kidspiration

“The visual way to think, write, and comprehend.” - Kidspiration.

Atomic Learning video tutorial series:

  • Kidspiration for Mac
  • Kidspiration for Windows
  • Just For Parents

3. Clay Animation

Creating a clay animation movie allows students to use their artistic and creative talents while using clay and technology to communicate and tell a story. Clay animation appeals to multiple intelligences and a broad variety of learners. Language skills are engaged while brainstorming and writing the script and storyboard. Mathematical, logical, and spatial skills are used in organizing the project, sequencing the frames, and using digital photography and video editing technology. Creativity is encouraged when students sculpt clay characters, draw and paint sets, and animate their stories. Collaboration skills are practiced when students work together to produce a clay animation project. Clay animation can be used as a communication tool for ANY subject. Below are a few examples:

  • Retell a novel or story
  • Bring a poem to life
  • Retell a historical event
  • Bring a historical figure to life
  • Create a fairy tale and make up your own ending
  • Describe a scientific process (ex. Life cycle of a butterfly, chemical bonding)
  • Create and resolve an argument or conflict
  • Illustrate and compare or contrast any idea
  • Sell a product (commercial)
  • Sway public opinion (public service announcement)

Clay Animation Made Easy

4. Communication Software

5. Mathematical and Analytical Software

Squeak

MSWLogo

MicroWorlds

LEGO LDRAW and MLCAD

TableTop

Zoombinis Logical Journey

6. Robotics Resources for Young Children

Pro-Bot

Robotics In The Classroom

Valient Roamer

LEGO Mindstorms

Robotics Academy

PCS Learning Labs

Carnegie Mellon University National Robotics Engineering Consortium

NASA Robotics

Robotics Learning

7. Additional Online Resources

Global Schoolhouse

GeoCaching

The Globe Program

Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race

GIS Brings Real-Life to Learning  

Google Earth

The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University Writing Resources

Lulu – Self-publishing Resource

Want a radio station of your own?

Creating Your Own Internet Radio Station

Landmark Project – David Warlick

8. Resource Documents: What do the experts say?

ISTE NETS The National Educational Technology Standards for Students

Kids Design the Future

Young Children and Technology

From Now On – Jamie McKenzie

Education World

Edutopia – George Lucas

Permission Statement

This article is provided as a service of the Davidson Institute for Talent Development, a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to supporting profoundly gifted young people 18 and under. To learn more about the Davidson Institute’s programs, please visit www.DavidsonGifted.org.

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The appearance of any information in the Davidson Institute's Database does not imply an endorsement by, or any affiliation with, the Davidson Institute. All information presented is for informational purposes only and is solely the opinion of and the responsibility of the author. Although reasonable effort is made to present accurate information, the Davidson Institute makes no guarantees of any kind, including as to accuracy or completeness. Use of such information is at the sole risk of the reader.

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