What is Giftedness?

A WebQuest by Lori Schreckengast

Introduction | Quest | Resources | Process | Evaluation| Conclusion

Introduction:

Howard Gardner, a noted researcher in the field of giftedness, says "I have a fairly simple definition (of a person who is extraordinary). A person's extraordinary to the extent that he or she really changes the way work goes on in a certain domain. So if you're an extraordinary scientist--say, a physicist--physics is different after Einstein. If you're an extraordinary composer, say, like Stravinsky or The Beatles, music is different after you. So it's leaving an impact on your culture, maybe on other cultures as well. That's what makes a person extraordinary."

Read the entire interview with Howard Gardner here.

What is your definition of giftedness?

What persons in history fit this definition?

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Your Quest:

You and your research team have been given the task of creating a museum exhibit about one person in the past or recent history whom you would consider to be gifted. You may create a "real" or "virtual" museum exhibit. A "real" display will use an exhibit board with pictures/illustrations, graphs, charts, timelines, etc. A "virtual" museum exhibit will be a hyperstudio stack or web page which should also contain pictures/illustrations, graphs, charts, timelines, etc.. The projects will be graded using this rubric.

 

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Process:

  1. Discuss "giftedness" with your team. What is your definition of giftedness? Review the theory of Multiple Intelligences here. Who do you think is the most gifted person in past or recent history? Brainstorm a list of gifted people.
  2. As a group, choose a gifted individual from the Internet Resource links or find one on your own by using a search engine or library resource.
  3. Each group member will take on one of the following roles and begin his/her research.

Historian – Discover information about the childhood of the person you chose. You will use at least 3 resources. Use the Internet Resource links below or books and encyclopedias from the library for your research.

Biographer – Research this person’s contributions to society. You will use the Internet Resources list below or resources from the library for your research.

 

Psychologist – What qualifies this person for our Museum about giftedness? Visit this site of gifted links for psychologists. More about Multiple Intelligences can be found at The MIDAS Site

 
  1. After each team member has completed his/her research your team will reconvene to discuss your individual research results. Print out and submit a Preliminary Research Report.
  2. Decide on the type of display your team will create. Prepare your display. You may want to visit other real or virtual museums to get ideas for your display.

"Real" Display

You will use a one or two fold display board. The display should include:

    • Interesting facts that you learned about the person’s life and contributions to society.
    • Reasons why this person is considered gifted.
    • Other related information.
    • Photographs and/or illustrations that are properly labeled.
    • Graphics that enhance the appearance of the display.
    • Bibliography of resources.

"Virtual" Display – Web Page

This can be one page or multiple pages. The display should include:

    • Interesting facts that you learned about the person’s life and contributions to society.
    • Reasons why this person is considered gifted.
    • Other related information.
    • Photographs and/or illustrations that are properly labeled.
    • Graphics that enhance the appearance of the web page.
    • Bibliography of resources with links to these resources.

"Virtual" Display – Hyperstudio

The stack should include at least 5 cards

    • Title Page with Team name.
    • Biography of persons life.
    • Information about his/her contributions to society.
    • Reasons why this person is considered gifted.
    • Other related information.
    • Bibliography of resources with links to these resources.

Your display should also include photographs and/or illustrations that are properly labeled as well as graphics that enhance the appearance of the display.

See the grading rubric for specific grading information.

  1. Prepare your presentation. Be sure to discuss all of the important aspects of this person's life as well as why he/she was chosen for inclusion in the museum. Practice, practice, practice.
  2. Present your display to the class.
  3. Evaluate your research, product, and presentation using the grading rubric. Print out a copy of the rubric here.

 

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Resources:

Click here to link to the on-line and off-line resources.

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Evaluation:

Grading Rubric for Giftedness WebQuest

 

Poor

Satisfactory

Exemplary

Research

Fewer than 3 resources were used. Preliminary Research Report was not submitted on time.

3 resources were used and documented. Preliminary Research Report was submitted on time.

More than 3 quality resources were used and documented. Preliminary Research Report was submitted properly and on time.

Display

Display is unattractive and disorganized. Graphics, photographs and illustrations are not used appropriately. Display does not contain the required elements. Display includes many grammar and spelling mistakes.

Display is somewhat attractive. Most parts are neatly organized and labeled. Most graphics, photographs and illustrations are use appropriately. Display contains most required elements. Display includes some grammar and spelling mistakes.

Display is very attractive. All parts are neatly organized and labeled. Graphics, photographs and illustrations are use appropriately. Display contains all required elements. Correct grammar and spelling were used on all displayed information.

Presentation

Presentation was not interesting or informative. Group was not prepared to present.

Presentation was somewhat interesting and informative. Group was somewhat prepared to present.

Presentation was interesting and informative. Students made their subject "come alive." Group was well prepared to present.

Use of Time

Team members did not use their time constructively.

Team members used most of their time constructively.

Team members used their time constructively.

Print out a grading rubric here.

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Conclusion:

Through your research you have learned about the significant contributions gifted people can make on society. Think about these questions:

Extensions:

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