Mathematics for Gifted Students in an Arts- and Technology-Rich Setting

• Published in: Journal for the education of the gifted Vol. 34; no. 3; pp. 397 - 433
• Main Authors: Gadanidis, George, Hughes, Janette, Cordy, Michelle
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 22.03.2011; Prufrock Press Inc; Sage Publications, Inc; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Academically Gifted; Art Education; Authors; Blended Learning; Canada; Classroom Environment; Computer Uses in Education; Conflict Resolution; Creative Thinking; Cultural Pluralism; Curriculum development; Drama; Education; Educational Technology; Focus Groups; Foreign Countries; Gifted; Gifted children; Gifted education; Grade 7; Grade 8; Individual Differences; Language Arts; Learner Engagement; Mathematics; Mathematics Activities; Mathematics education; Mathematics Instruction; Mathematics Skills; Observation; Poetry; Program Effectiveness; Rural Schools; Student Attitudes; Students; Study and teaching; Teacher Educators; Teaching Methods; Technology Integration; Thinking Skills; Word Processing; Canada; New York
• ISSN: 0162-3532; 2162-9501
• DOI: 10.1177/016235321103400303

In this paper we report on a study of a short-term mathematics program for grade 7–8 gifted students that integrated open-ended mathematics tasks with the arts (poetry and drama) and with technology. The program was offered partially online and partially in a classroom setting. The study sought to investigate (a) students' perceptions of their school-based mathematics experience, (b) students' perceptions of the program we offered, and (c) students' mathematical thinking while engaged in the activities of our program. The study provides insights into the design of challenging mathematics experiences for gifted students, the integration of the arts with mathematics, and the use of technology in mathematics teaching and learning.