This project collects insights and understandings from (mostly young) people based on their expectations, perceptions and experiences being gifted, the schools they attend and their future plans. After all, who better to learn about giftedness from than you, the person living the life!
This project is a celebration of sorts—a current view of giftedness through the eyes (and voices!) of people bearing this label. The work parallels a study done in the early 1980s, which asked very similar (and in many cases the same) questions to school-age children which led to publication of a book in 1984 called Gifted Children Speak Out (by Jim Delisle).Samples from the 1984 edition:
What do others—adults or friends—expect from you, "a gifted child"?
Others expect me to act more grown up, not playing games once in a while but studying every second.
Girl, 10, Connecticut
If I fail a test (which is likely for an average seventh grader) I'm looked at as if I should be hanged because that is not expected of a child of "my ability."
Boy, 11, Connecticut
Do you ever get bored in school? If "No," why not; and if "Yes," what do you do to relieve the boredom?
School is boring in some subjects because I usually know the answers before the questions are even asked.
Boy, 9, Wyoming
I read a book or try to look interested. (I want to be an actress when I grow up, so this is good practice).
Girl, 12, New York
The Plan
Using the website questionnaires, my plan is to collect your voice and let you speak for yourself about giftedness. This might happen via the website forums, in an electronic newsletter, or in book form. I want to help share the life stories about being gifted so others can compare their life experiences and/or learn about giftedness from you—instead of trying to rely on opinions of experts or others who think they know about giftedness. Also, we will be able to look back to the 1980s and see how similar (or different) life is today for gifted people in schools.
I do hope you choose to take part in this project. You will not be asked for your name, or other information that can be used to identify you personally. There is a place for you to volunteer, if you wish, to be contacted further to discuss giftedness and your insights. However it is not required.
Taking part in the project is entirely up to you, and no one will hold it against you if you decide not to do it. You can stop at any time without penalty or any risk associated with current or future interactions with Giftedkidspeak.com, Learning Latitudes or The University of Toledo. No information is collected until you click the submit button on the survey.
This project is approved by The University of Toledo office of Research.
For more information about this project, please Email me: Bob Schultz
updated 17 August 2006