Gifted and Talented Education: The Global Perspective Tim Dracup Gifted Phoenix's Blog:

Outline

Analysis of Global Practice

Globalisation Increasing worldwide economic integration, through trade, transport and communication Removes barriers to flow of goods, capital, services and labour Began at end of 19 th Century; increased over last 40 years Global higher education market Global labour market, especially for highly- educated and highly-skilled

Knowledge-based economies Recognise the role of human capital and technology in increasing economic growth Know-what (facts), know-why (science), know-how (skills), know who (networks) High demand for highly-skilled 'knowledge workers'; innovation Rapid expansion in IT, education, communications sectors - often an explicit link to STEM Human capital as key to national competitiveness in a globalised market? National plans to transform countries into KBEs

Some Notes of Caution More education does not necessarily produce more growth Formal education versus on-the-job training The quality of education matters as much as the quantity Higher levels of education may signal innate ability International studies do not show clear results – importance of interaction with wider reforms Growth can generate education as well as vice-versa

The Economics of Gifted Education KBEs must balance higher standards for all v developing elite 'knowledge workers' The latter is typically associated with HE but may require foundations in compulsory education = G&T Examples include Singapore, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia Little systematic study of the economic basis of such decisions The economic cost of 'excellence gaps'; 'Smart Fraction'

The Role of Social Media Sharing knowledge and information was previously via books, research journals, conferences, training – Slow; inefficient; hierarchical Social media has brought immediacy, sharing, democracy, unreliability, 'crowdsourcing' Personal Learning Network via: – Connectors (blogs, Twitter, FB, SL) – Sifters (RSS, social bookmarking, search engines) – Organisers (multimedia aggregators, maps)

Benchmarking or Policy Tourism?

International Quality Standards? Common flexible standards framework for national and state-wide provision Linked improvement benchmarks based on best performance Case studies library exemplifies variation in practice within standards Linked tools and resources to support improvement Social media interaction keeps every element under permanent (crowdsourced) review

International Observatory and Research Network? Open access global gifted education database Open access online gifted education research library Research map shows under-researched and over-researched areas Social media network supports collaborative peer-to-peer and master-student interaction Accredited online and blended learning opportunities

International Federation of Parents' Organisations? Single online meeting point for all national and state parents' associations Build online map/repository of information and resources Link together multiple forums/listservs Deploy full armoury of multimedia collaboration tools Foster bilateral and multi-lateral partnership Pool resources to achieve economies of scale Accredit best practice; publicise worst practice Influence international bodies and national governments

Your Global Perspectives?