Gifted Adolescents' Talent Development through Distance Learning

Abstract

This study involved 99 students who took honors-level courses and 87 students who took Advanced Placement courses through a gifted distance-learning program. Data showed that students' interests in the subject areas, the desire for enriching and accelerating themselves, and the unavailability of the courses in their home schools were the major reasons for enrolling in the distance-learning program. Overall, students were satisfied with the quality of communications with instructors or classmates, but the lack of interactions with teachers was a source of dissatisfaction for some students. Students reported that the classes prepared them well for their AP examinations and that challenge and enjoyment were the most important and beneficial aspects of the courses. Findings also showed that most students wanted to use computer technologies that grant them easy access to teachers, other students, and course information, but still desired to have traditional textbooks and written course materials.