ERIC Number: EJ1186338
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2018
Pages: 20
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1359-8139
EISSN: N/A
Training Effects on Belgian Preschool and Primary School Teachers' Attitudes towards the Best Practices for Gifted Children
Vreys, Carla; Ndungbogun, Gilles Ndanjo; Kieboom, Tessa; Venderickx, Kathleen
High Ability Studies, v29 n1 p3-22 2018
Lack of knowledge of effective educational interventions for gifted children is a pressing problem in Belgian schools. Most preschool and primary school teachers enter the profession without any training in the best practices for gifted children. This results in many misconceptions about giftedness and gifted education and a diversity of well-intentioned but ineffective interventions in the classroom. In response to the request for help from many schools, the Belgian expertise center "Exentra" designed a professional training program for in-service teachers with the aim to increase teachers' understanding of the characteristics and needs of gifted pupils, and help teachers develop the necessary confidence and skills to effectively teach the gifted in regular, mixed-ability classes. This study shows that the Exentra training is effective in changing teachers' beliefs about gifted education and enhancing teachers' knowledge, abilities, and self-esteem to effectively modify the curriculum for the more capable pupils in the classroom.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Preschool Teachers, Elementary School Teachers, Teacher Attitudes, Best Practices, Academically Gifted, Misconceptions, Inservice Teacher Education, Attitude Change, Assignments, Self Efficacy, Teaching Skills, Skill Development, Individualized Instruction, Barriers
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Preschool Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Belgium
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A