Guidance on teaching the gifted and talented

Case Study 3: Training on Teaching and Learning Styles

This case study exemplifies how a school implemented training sessions for its staff with the aim of better equipping them to challenge and nurture gifted and talented students, fostering the development of their critical thinking abilities.

The school recognized the importance of catering to the needs of gifted and talented students and providing them with enriching educational experiences. To achieve this, the school decided to invest in training sessions for its teaching staff.

Background

The featured school is a mixed comprehensive institution situated in the north-east region of England. It boasts Beacon status and places a significant emphasis on the quality of teaching and learning within its premises. In response to a suggestion stemming from the Excellence in Cities initiative, the school undertook an endeavor to provide staff training focused on teaching and learning styles specifically tailored for gifted and talented students. The primary focus of this training initiative was to delve into the workings of the human brain and how it relates to teaching and learning. The overarching aim was to equip teachers with the knowledge and tools to effectively challenge gifted and talented students while fostering the development of their cognitive skills.

Implementation

The process of implementing this training initiative commenced with an initial training day attended by three key staff members, representing both the pastoral and academic teams. Following this initial training session, the school extended the training to encompass its entire staff, including educators from a neighboring smaller school. The training curriculum revolved around a series of interactive workshops, each dedicated to one of four key topics:

  1. The Power of Problem Solving: This workshop initiated with a group exercise requiring participants to decode a message using mathematical clues. Notably, the group scribe was only permitted to record the answer when a unanimous consensus was reached within the group. This approach can be adapted across various subjects to encourage constructive group decision-making. For example, it could involve deciphering science clues in a murder mystery or piecing together the choreographed steps of a dance routine. Subsequently, the workshop delved into how individuals employ sensory skills such as touch, examination, observation, and listening to acquire information, highlighting the diverse ways in which students may learn.
  2. Cooperative Learning: In this workshop, teams of teachers were assigned different information sheets to read and digest. They then summarized this information on posters. One member from each group remained to teach their group’s information, while the others visited other groups to gather additional knowledge. Eventually, the “information seekers” returned to their respective groups to share the new information. After this information-sharing phase, all staff underwent a common test on the topics.
  3. Learning by Active Listening: This workshop consisted of interactive exercises designed to enhance teachers’ awareness of the various components of effective speaking and listening, including the impact of body language. The goal was to equip teachers with the ability to guide students in achieving quality listening skills, encompassing aspects like eye contact, concentration, active engagement with the speaker, and providing verbal and non-verbal responses.
  4. The Non-Stop Search Engine: In this workshop, staff members were tasked with constructing a medical history timeline by answering questions and utilizing information sources present in the room, including books, video materials, and PowerPoint presentations.

Impact

The staff development initiative was highly successful, leading to a noticeable improvement in the overall quality of teaching for all students. Post-training lesson observations by senior staff revealed that teachers exhibited increased confidence in employing a wider range of learning approaches.

Many departments within the school began implementing INSET (In-Service Education and Training) activities with students. For instance, exercises like the active listening skills exercise were adopted, encouraging students to delve into issues more deeply and thereby fostering independent learning skills and capabilities. Consequently, more students’ giftedness and talents have been recognized.

Moreover, teachers have embraced the use of visual and sensory aids to enhance the learning experience. In subjects such as design and technology and mathematics, this approach has elevated students’ thinking and understanding to higher levels. Some teachers have introduced quiz-based information-gathering methods as part of problem-solving and teamwork activities, adding an element of fun to the learning process while sharpening students’ cognitive skills.

The innovative teaching and learning strategies have also positively impacted attendance at after-school and weekend courses, with parents demonstrating increased availability to assist with transportation—a testament to the efficacy of the fresh approach to education within the school.