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Even traditional courses can be improved with the proper use of technology. The Gifted and Talented Education Course has been taught in the School of Education for 25 years. However, this cohort is working to improve that course by making it an interactive, internet-based educational experience. The changes will benefit students in the course through providing more accessible and up-to-date graduate education.
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Courses in the School of Education at KU are keeping up with the times, as well as with Kansas licensure standards. The Redesigning a Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) Course cohort is an example of how education courses are being transformed to fit both evolving technologies and evolving standards.
The GATE cohort worked to redesign one course, T&L 644/744, into an Internet-based learning experience. Not only did course instructor and faculty leader Reva Friedman-Nimz have to adjust her lesson plans to fit into an Internet format, but she also had to adjust for changing standards in gifted education. Unlike other cohorts that worked with area public schools, this cohort's work is focused internally. However, public schools students were involved through the Free State High School Computer Club members that worked with the cohort to get the course web site set up. "The focus is on adding something to an existing course rather than [working with] children or students," Reva said. "The major changes in the licensure standards that affect this course have to do with the role teachers play in identification. They're much more central to collecting qualitative information."
The course is offered in its new online form for the first time this summer. So far, feedback is good. Unlike typical distance learning courses, this course allows for both an online component as well as extensive face-to-face interactions with the course instructor and other students. Students complete individual coursework online, such as reading responses, and also participate in interactive activities, such as threaded discussions. Then, at the end of each unit, the class meets face-to-face. "Students really like it," Reva said. "The class gets together to do those things that you can only do face-to-face, like score tests, or work on a case study where they're making decisions together."
While students seem to like the new format of the course, Reva admits that translating her lessons into an Internet-friendly format was difficult and time-consuming. In fact, she spent all winter reorganizing the course. "I did rethink the concepts for every lesson," she said. The technology itself also presented new challenges. Reva has always used technology in her classes in the form of tools such as overhead projectors and videotapes, but she didn't anticipate the challenges that working with new technology would pose. "I was working with technologies that I didn't know, didn't understand and I floundered for several months until I could figure out a system of organizing my course material," she said. "Initially, I thought I didn't need to understand the technology, but in retrospect I think I needed to know what the technology could do."
The benefits of this online course extend beyond KU's School of Education. While most online courses are accessible only those students who are enrolled, this course is available to anyone surfing the web. Gifted education students at any school can visit the course, but they need to be registered in order to turn in assignments. Reva said she likes that open and welcoming aspect of the course. "I like that principle," she said. "It's a philosophy of the University of Kansas and it's mine, too."
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