1. Casey Dunley Des Moines Public schools Secondary GT Consultant
Incorporating Technology in an extended learning seminar for gifted high school students
Casey Dunley
Des Moines Public schools
Secondary GT Consultant

2. Course Description
This course offers a unique opportunity for gifted and talented students to develop their individual aptitudes, talents, and passions in a supportive environment. The course is a self-directed learning experience. The student is given the opportunity to develop real world skills such as time-management, planning, and self-discipline, while investigating areas of interest in an in-depth, individualized way. Course options may include an independent study, an internship, a mentorship, or a service learning project dependent on student interest. All participating students are required to follow an approved learning contract and log time on task. All participating students are required to present a final product to an authentic audience.
High School Credit: .5 elective credits per year.

3. Prerequisites
Identified Gifted and Talented in Des Moines Public Schools
Must be in good standing with a C average or higher in the core curricular areas and on track for graduation.
Grades 10-12
Consideration for admission to the course is by application to the building G/T consultant.
The extended learning course size is subject to the consultant’s caseload and time available and/or an internship/mentorship site in the area of interest.  The application and interview need to show a project that has enough content to be evaluated using the Iowa Core standards listed for the course.

4. Course Options Focused on interests or future goals.
1. Research or Independent Study
Focused on interests or future goals.
Could be used as prep for an academic contest but the key would be to take that learning deeper and the presentations would be more complex.
2. Internship/Mentorship
Practical experience in an occupation or profession.
3. Service Learning
Incorporating service with learning goals.
Linked to real community need.

5. Traits that best fit the course
Autonomous Learner – the ability to take charge of one’s own learning
Intrinsically motivated by interest areas
Self-disciplined
Problem solver
Persistent
Enjoys questioning and posing problems
Ability to apply past knowledge to new situations
Responsible risk takers
Independent thinkers

6. Technology Connections
Online courses
Blogging
Researching
Communication
Presentation Prep
Sample Presentations
Final Presentations

7. Online Courses - MOOCs We use edx.org Easy to use Great selection
Archived and self paced options
There is an app

9. Blogging We use Blogger Easy to use Connected to Gmail
Teacher dashboard
Communication tool

12. Researching We use the Heartland AEA Database
Accessed through the DMPS homepage under students
Each school has a login and password
Variety of resources
College readiness skills

14. Communication We use email, calendar invites, and blog comments
Easy to use
Organizational tool
Timely
Real world skills

15. Presentation Prep We use Presentation Zen Presentation skills
Power Point
Graphics
Understand the importance of impact

17. Sample Presentations We use TED talks The goal of their presentations
Appreciate speaking rhythm and word choice
An exemplar to analyze for quality presentational skills

18. Final Presentations We use Power point Easy to use Simple
Easy for the audience to follow

19. Questions?
Contact information: Casey Dunley at Roosevelt High School

20. Feedback