Digest of Gifted Research

Welcome to the Digest of Gifted Research (formerly Duke Gifted Letter), published by the Duke University Talent Identification Program. The Digest is a trusted resource for research-based information about raising and educating academically talented children.

TV and Computer Use: Hazardous to Kids' Health?

Monday, August 7, 2006 - 16:45

A number of readers have asked me whether they should limit their gifted children’s TV watching and computer use. This is a simple question, yet the research on it is not extensive and does not provide a definitive answer. Some authorities claim that frequent TV watching leads to violence, substance use, and obesity. The Alliance for Childhood, a nonprofit organization in Maryland, contends that early exposure to computers stunts children’s social development, and it has called for a moratorium on the use of computers with preschoolers. On the other hand, some educators encourage early computer use.

Let’s review what we do know. Children and adolescents spend more time watching TV...

"Triple A" Options

Monday, August 7, 2006 - 16:35

The days of “senioritis” are numbered! The last year of high school can no longer be considered a time to relax before adulthood. Instead, it should be, says the National Commission on the High School Senior Year, a “time to strengthen skills, enhance preparation for postsecondary programs, broaden experiences to include service or demanding work-based learning, or culminate earlier classroom experience in a senior project.”

Those who can meet the standards for high school graduation in fewer than four years should be encouraged to do so

The commission’s recent report, Raising Our Sights: No High School Senior Left Behind , calls for a “Triple A...

Metrolina Regional Scholars' Academy: Parents' Vision Becomes a Reality

Monday, August 7, 2006 - 16:26

Perhaps only the parents of highly gifted children can attest to the frustrations of educating them. These students learn at a radically different speed from their age-level counterparts (one and a half to four academic years’ growth in one school year). Although many public schools have pull-out programs for the gifted and talented, highly gifted students are not adequately served by this typically one-hour-a-day enrichment. Indeed, with IQs between 145 and 170, they are often unchallenged. Prone to boredom and behavioral difficulties in the classroom, they are arguably the students most ill-served by the traditional public school system.

Enter a group of Charlotte, North...

Distance-Learning Opportunities on the Internet

Monday, August 7, 2006 - 16:07

Whether you are homeschooling or seeking enrichment for your child, these activities focus on the individual child’s educational needs, and gifted children clearly have individual educational needs. Parents may find themselves stretched to meet the challenges posed by their children’s aptitudes and interests. High-quality distance learning may provide viable solutions.

Distance learning simply means that teacher and student occupy different settings. A variety of interactive, innovative learning activities geared to gifted children are readily accessible via the Internet. Look for the following features:

Opportunities to develop and use high levels of critical...

Competition

Monday, August 7, 2006 - 15:46

Many parents ask how competition affects gifted and talented students. Should parents and teachers encourage them to compete? How does competition fit into our educational systems at a time when we hear more about cooperative groups and learning than ever before?

In a recent interview I asked a female Olympic medalist how she felt about competition. Until that point in the conversation she had been happy to discuss her experiences as a talented athlete. But it was clear that this question was unsettling to her. She had difficulty answering it and finally exclaimed, “I hate to talk about being competitive. It was a necessary evil in my sport, but I was never, never comfortable with...