Duke TIP Independent Learning Program
TIP Tester Application

Overview

What's a TIP Tester?

A TIP Tester is a 4th–12th grade TIP student who loves learning on his or her own and who demonstrates independence, resourcefulness, and commitment. If you have these qualities, you could become a TIP Tester!

Want to learn more about what the TIP Tester program is all about? View this presentation.

View the TIP Tester Presentation

What is Duke TIP Independent Learning?

Duke TIP's Independent Learning program offers students rigorous and engaging independent study opportunities anytime, anywhere. Highly-motivated, self-starting learners develop advanced critical thinking skills through inquiry-based learning and interdisciplinary thinking. Students pursue authentic, creative projects and above-level readings, writing assignments, and problem sets that challenge students at their individual level. Students should choose a mentor in their local area who can provide guidance, grading, and expertise.

Duke TIP Independent Learning courses are developed by expert educators and tested by TIP students. Some of the units students have tested including: Discovering Science Outdoors, and Cryptology & Mathematics, as well as courses such as Foundations of Modern Biology, Growing Up Heroic: Adventures in Greek Mythology, The Reader's Journey, Volume 1 and The Reader's Journey Volume 2, and The Writer's Journey, Volume 1 and The Writer's Journey, Volume 2.

For more information, visit Duke TIP Independent Learning.

Are you wondering how it would benefit you to become a TIP Tester? Head to the next page!

Benefits

What are the benefits of participation?

Do you enjoy learning for the sake of learning? Besides enjoying learning for learning's sake, you will enjoy the following perks of the TIP Tester program:

  1. An opportunity to challenge yourself with high-level learning materials in an independent study environment
  2. Free access to a new Duke TIP Independent Learning course using a web-based course management system
  3. An opportunity to provide critical feedback on an Independent Learning course in development
  4. Free copies of textbooks
  5. A certificate of participation honoring your commitment to the TIP Testers program.
  6. A free copy of the course when it is published
  7. The chance to have your work featured as "model student work" in the final version of the course

Read on to find out what involvement in the program entails.

Participation

What do TIP Testers do?

Are you an independent, resourceful learner? TIP Testers are gifted students who participate in Duke TIP and who are willing to pursue challenging independent study lessons on the computer during their free time. Students can ask a teacher or a parent to be a mentor, but much of the time, students work alone.

If you are selected to become a TIP Tester, you will

What are expectations for students in the program?

Expectations are described on the next page.

Expectations

What will I be expected to do?

  1. Complete the entire unit or course.Do you love learning on your own?
  2. Work independently without regular instructor feedback.
  3. Submit your best work.
  4. Ask questions and provide critical feedback.
  5. Complete an evaluation of the learning materials.

When are the field tests? What is the time commitment?

  1. Field tests are scheduled as needed throughout the year. If your age and interests match those of a course we are testing, we will contact you with specific dates for a field test. If you are unable to participate in the field test at that time, your name will remain on our list of potential TIP Testers for future field tests.
  2. Field tests happen over a 10–15 week period. You will spend 3–5 hours per week working on assignments.
  3. Once you have been selected to participate in a field test, you will be notified of the dates.

If you want to become a TIP Tester, go on to the next page to learn how to apply.

Application

How do I apply?

  1. Parents, before your child applies, please read this Parent Information Guide.
  2. Complete the online TIP Tester Application.Are you up to the challenge of testing a Duke TIP online course?
    1. We recommend that you spend careful time on the essay. It is the one component that shows us how motivated, passionate, and curious you are about your subject of interest.
    2. Give specific, concrete details about your interest in the subject area. Convince us that you have spent time and energy pursuing your subject of passion.
    3. An essay of 100–250 words should be sufficient.

You will be notified when a field test is scheduled that matches your interests and age.

I have applied. When do I start?

Please do not contact Duke TIP to see when tests will be offered.

Still have questions? See the next page.

Tell Me How this Process Works Again

  1. Any gifted 4th–12th grade student who has participated in Duke TIP is invited to apply.
  2. By applying, you are expressing interest in being contacted if there is an upcoming field test that matches your interests and age. Applying does not guaranteeAre you self-motivated? placement.
  3. Duke TIP will contact you when a field test is scheduled for a course that matches your interests and age. Each selected applicant will then participate in a phone interview with parents or guardians to determine whether the TIP Test is a good fit for the student.
  4. If selected, you can accept your spot as a TIP Tester or decline and be added back to the list.
  5. If you accept your spot as a TIP Tester, you are agreeing to the following:

As a gift for participating you will receive free textbooks for the course, and, if you complete the testing, a certificate honoring your participation. Your work may also be chosen as an example of model student work for the final version of the course. Upon publication, you will also receive a complimentary copy of the course you helped evaluate!

Thanks for your interest in TIP Testing for the Duke TIP Independent Learning program. If independent study is a good fit for you, we hope you consider applying.