All students are entitled to a respectful and meaningful education in this decade of No Child Left Behind, and yet attention to the gifted wanes with the emphasis on standards-based education and testing. Educators of the gifted have wrestled with this dilemma for many decades, even as early as the 1920s when Leta S. Hollingsworth, noted…

The use of independent study contracts as a method of individualizing educational planning for the gifted allows gifted students to pursue in depth a topic or field of study, to use outside resources when appropriate, to make decisions about the mode and media to be used, and to assume some responsibility for their own learning. (SBH)

Distinguishes self-directed learning from individualized instruction and discusses the role of the teacher in promoting self-directed learning. (FL)

Learning centers can be developed in secondary school subject area classes to encourage independence and to help the teacher individualize instruction. (MKM)

Looks at the self-instructional packet (SIP) as an effective tool for individualizing instruction through the use of programmed learning sequences to aid student exploration of topics, concepts or skills. (MH)

No significant differences in handball knowledge and skill were found between traditional, contractual, and independent study methods of learning the sport. (MB)

How to use traditional techniques to "mainstream" gifted children in a heterogeneous classroom, while meeting their individual needs through differentiated curriculum and voluntary activities. (Editor/SJL)

A group of eight gifted junior high students was presented programed units of psychology instruction based on Fred Keller's model of personalized instruction. Compared to a control group which received traditional lecture-format instruction, subjects completed the material in less time and scored significantly higher on the final test. (Author/JDD)

Directions in self-directed learning for adults and perspectives for the future are discussed. The following five movements in self-directed learning are considered: the Knowles Group Learning Stream, the Tough Adult Learning Projects Stream, individualized programmed instruction, nontraditional institutional arrangements, and heuristic life…

This article reviews the history of self-directed learning for the gifted and describes the Autonomous Learner Model (Betts, 1985) which includes a strong affective component, career development, and guidelines for a process-based scope and sequence. Guidelines are provided for developing independent study programs for gifted learners. (Author/CB)

Discussing the advantages of self-paced and leader-led instruction, the author presents a 23 item questionnaire which measures factors to be considered before selecting the type of instruction. The questionnaire considers areas such as trainee population, course objectives, instructional design, administrative procedures, and developmental…

An eclectic approach to individualizing instruction in secondary schools is suggested which includes the following classroom strategies: experiential learning, mastery learning, learning centers, peer and cross-age tutoring, and independent study. (JMF)

The use of the instructional module in college teaching is discussed. The module is an independent learning package that emphasizes students' learning activities rather than teacher activities. Along with independent modular activities such as reading, writing, discussing, and problem solving, students can use more class time to write, inquire,…

The author provides a personal account of the actions taken by several teachers at Naperville High School to individualize a traditional Freshman English course through learning modules and a credit/no credit grading system. (Editor/SJL)