International Projects
UCF Gifted Education Program maintains an international presence and perspective and has worked on many projects around the world and on comparative and global gifted education. We regularly present at International Conferences on research conducted at UCF, have published in international journals and books, and have served on international advocacy groups and publication boards.
South Africa
Explore innovative research, perspectives, technology and best practices for teaching ADVANCED AND HIGHLY-ABLE learners.
Place: Johannesburg University, Auckland Park, South Africa
SOUTHERN African Institute on High Ability and Talent Development: October 4th – 6th, 2018
Find, Engage, Challenge and Elevate Advanced, Talented and Highly Able Learners Advocates for Advanced and Gifted Education (ADAGE)
University of Central Florida. U.S.A. Collaborative Project with The College of Education, Johannesburg University South Africa
Objectives: Nurturing creative and academic talent from all populations and socio-economic levels. An international and local team of expert specialists in the field of educational psychology, curriculum and instruction, talent development, leadership development, teaching for social justice, new technologies, research and practice will present a 2 day AHA INSTITUTE for teachers, principals and educators. This will be preceded by a symposium for local schools, and a colloquium for academics and administrators.
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STEAP: SEMESTER TEACHER EDUCATION ABROAD PROGRAM
Netherlands
Designing Collaborative International Exchange Programs in Gifted Education: The Semester Teacher Education Abroad Program (STEAP).
Engaging teacher candidates in international study abroad programs opens a world of experience, generates a global perspective and fosters intercultural competencies. As perspectives, definitions and practices in gifted education vary widely internationally, a semester abroad allows learners to understand diverse systems and approaches, while providing more insights into the needs of special populations and immigrant gifted students in their own classrooms. The STEAP Program is a collaborative exchange between students from the University of Central Florida in Orlando with Radboud University in Nijmegen, Netherlands. The Center for the Study of Giftedness at Radboud University provides the European Council for Children with High Abilities (ECHA) Certification in Gifted Education for Europe, and UCF provides both gifted certification and a Masters in Teacher Leadership Gifted Track. Students complete orientation before departure, then overseas campus learning and service learning through a continuum of services in a local school district/region that ranges from infusion in regular schools through to special schools for the gifted, working towards a thesis (Honors in the Major) or Masters Thesis on a topic of their choice. They work closely with faculty from both Universities, completing online learning. Evaluation includes ongoing assessment, product assessment and surveys.
