Cekada, James Francis
(2008)
A Profile of Students who Display Exceptional Talent in Computer Technology.
Doctoral Dissertation, University of Pittsburgh.
(Unpublished)
Abstract
The focus of this study was to identify certain characteristics and behaviors unique to students who exhibit exceptional skills in computer technology. Five public schools in Western Pennsylvania were chosen to participate in this study. Within each school, the building principals were asked to identify a focus group of teachers who were likely to be able to discuss with the researcher certain characteristics exhibited by computer talented students. In addition, the technology coordinator from each school was interviewed by the researcher. The data revealed common characteristics that can be attributed to this unique group of students. Implications for policy and practice include the following: These students tend to be good problem solvers and possess divergent thinking skills. They enjoy helping their teachers and fellow students who are having difficulties with computer technology. Their talent is first observed sometime between the second semester of their eighth grade year and their ninth grade year similar to mathematical or athletic talent which also gets noticed during this time period. They tend to prefer to work independently on formal classroom assignments with little or no direction from the teacher. They especially enjoy playing higher order thinking games when using computers in an educational setting. Finally, where some schools create an environment which fosters talent in athletics or music, implications for policy and practice suggest that schools could create an environment which fosters computer talent.
Share
| Citation/Export: |
|
| Social Networking: |
|
Details
| Item Type: |
University of Pittsburgh ETD
|
| Status: |
Unpublished |
| Creators/Authors: |
|
| ETD Committee: |
|
| Date: |
29 January 2008 |
| Date Type: |
Completion |
| Defense Date: |
16 October 2007 |
| Approval Date: |
29 January 2008 |
| Submission Date: |
18 December 2007 |
| Access Restriction: |
No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately. |
| Institution: |
University of Pittsburgh |
| Schools and Programs: |
School of Education > Administrative and Policy Studies |
| Degree: |
EdD - Doctor of Education |
| Thesis Type: |
Doctoral Dissertation |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: |
computer talent; exceptional talent; giftedness; talented |
| Other ID: |
http://etd.library.pitt.edu/ETD/available/etd-12182007-093257/, etd-12182007-093257 |
| Date Deposited: |
10 Nov 2011 20:11 |
| Last Modified: |
15 Nov 2016 13:54 |
| URI: |
http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/10420 |
Metrics
Monthly Views for the past 3 years
Plum Analytics
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |
![[feed]](/images/feed-icon-32x32.png){kind=icon}