Learning From and Learning with Technology

Technology supports exploration of key concepts and their interdisciplinary applications, providing students a wider vista in which to recognize those concepts and a broader canvas on which to convey their understandings. This chapter explores ways educators of the gifted and talented can use technology to enhance their students&s; gifts and talents, both by building their knowledge of and skill with technological tools and by using such tools to promote learning and creative productivity across all content areas. Today&s;s students live in a world in which being plugged into technology is a way of life. Almost every part of their lives has some root in the technological revolution. Some studies have shown that a blended approach to professional development for technology integration is most successful, combining professional development workshops, curricular examples, and a peer-support system. The chapter describes tools and resources that can help educators purposefully incorporate technology to enhance student learning and encourage talent development.