Using Technology to Teach Gifted Students in a Heterogeneous Classroom

Abstract

The answer to educating gifted and talented students in heterogeneous classrooms may lie, at least partially, in using instructional technology to motivate learning and enrich lessons. This case study explores one aspect of effective instruction for gifted second graders during lessons conducted in their general education classrooms. This chapter summarizes the development and delivery, students' performance and perceptions, and professional implications of an elementary science lesson utilizing interactive whiteboard technology to convey science content and elicit participation. It also emphasizes the importance of teacher educators' modeling the use of interactive whiteboards for the purpose of differentiating instruction in teacher training programs to better prepare future teachers for the diverse learners who will fill their classrooms.