The Gifted Kids Network

Technology is an exciting learning tool for most students, but for gifted and talented students it represents the opportunity to engage in deep and complex thinking on a wide variety of topics. In the primary grades, technology can be a powerful motivator. I don’t mean dangling a computer usage as a reward for compliance. The technology can motivate reading, writing, deep and critical thinking. In my work with primary grade students I have used several technologies to motivate students thinking. Voicethreads provide an opportunity for students to practice public speaking in a less threatening environment than standing in front of a class. It enables students to share thoughts and ideas about a story or activity without requiring strong writing skills. In teaching students to write a persuasive paragraph, students were motivated by being able to record their paragraphs for parents, grandparents, and friends to listen to on Voicethread. http://bvsd.org/schools/Lafayette/about/tag/studentwork/Pages/amazing%20grace.aspx
First graders loved creating a Geometry Video with our symmetry activities http://bvsd.org/schools/Lafayette/about/tag/studentwork/Pages/geometry%20video.mp4
Seeing their work on the school website was extraordinarily motivating to kindergarten students http://bvsd.org/schools/Lafayette/about/tag/studentwork/Pages/Kindergarten%20Corner.aspx?PageView=Shared
Students in primary grades require assistance with all of these technologies however they can quickly become competent in using them with supervision. The rewards of increased motivation, increased deep thinking are well worth the investment in time to introduce the tools.