ERIC Number: EJ1367394
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2022-Dec
Pages: 15
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1323-9686
EISSN: N/A
Co-Constructed Talent Development as a Realisation of Ganma: a Talent Development Model for Gifted Aboriginal (Yolnu) Students
Thraves, Genevieve; Berman, Jeanette; Baker, Penelope; Dhurrkay, Miriam; Mala, Raki
Australasian Journal of Gifted Education, v31 n2 p5-19 Dec 2022
Australian Aboriginal learners have a long history of underrepresentation in gifted and talented education. This results, at least in part, from cultural differences in the way giftedness is understood, as well as variance in the practices and processes used to develop talents. Perhaps a co-constructed both-ways model could go some way to addressing this issue. The "Ganma" metaphor provides a useful framework for understanding how both-ways models are conceptualised by the Yolnu (an Australian Aboriginal group). "Ganma" is described as the point where two distinct tributaries, one salt water (representing non-Aboriginal knowledge) and the other fresh water (representing Aboriginal knowledge), come together to form a lagoon. The streams churn together to create a new body of water with its own distinct habitat. This article presents a both-ways talent development model that draws on the principles of "Ganma" in an effort to support gifted Yolnu youth. Three Elders and three teachers worked together to co-construct the features of the model, and this collaboration ensured that both Yolnu (Aboriginal) and non-Yolnu (school-based) understandings of giftedness and talent development are reflected across the model's various components. In essence, the both-ways nature of this model allows it to realise the new habitat that sits at the heart of the "Ganma" metaphor.
Descriptors: Talent Development, Academically Gifted, Indigenous Populations, Foreign Countries, Indigenous Knowledge, Workshops, School Community Relationship, Gifted Education, Educational Cooperation, Elementary Secondary Education, Boarding Schools, Models
Australian Association for the Education of the Gifted and Talented. School of Education, The University of New South Wales, Sydney NSW 2052, Australia. e-mail: EditorAJGE@aaegt.net.au; Web site: http://www.aaegt.net.au/?page_id=736
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Australia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A