The identification of his son's high ability can cause a father to confront his own experiences as a gifted child and adult and change his emotional life, family dynamics, and career. Over the past decade, Fiona Smith has worked closely with numerous multi-generations of grandfathers, fathers, and sons in Australia to analyze their backgrounds,…

This study assesses the validity and reliability of the Learning Styles Preference Indicator (LSPI), an instrument developed by the author. The LSPI identifies students' preferences for analytical or global approaches to learning new and difficult material. This instrument is easy to administer, quick to score, and produces information that will…

Children with mild developmental disorders sometimes show giftedness. In this study, an original checklist was developed to identify gifted characteristics specific to science learning among twice-exceptional primary school children in Japan. The checklist consisted of 60 items on Attitudes, Thinking, Skills, and Knowledge/Understanding. A total…

To reduce the possibility that children who do not fit stereotypical profiles of gifted children will be passed over, identifying students from diverse backgrounds for talent should be a multipronged effort. Outreach is especially important in areas when parents may be absorbed in meeting their family's immediate needs. To facilitate…

It was found, among other things, that six of the 24 variables on the Learning Style Inventory significantly discriminated between gifted and normal elementary age Ss, and that gifted Ss also tended to be highly individualistic in their preferences for sound, silence, interaction, temperature variations, intake, mobility, and time. (DLS)

Statistical Analysis of WISC, WISC-R, and WPPSI subtest scores uncovered evidence of an Indian Wechsler Scale performance pattern different from that found in normal and learning disabled groups. The Indian pattern finds spatial abilities more well-developed than sequencing skills, which are superior to conceptual and acquired knowledge…

An attempt was made to determine whether the traits known as cognitive styles should be recognized as intellectual abilities or intellectual controls, or both. It was suggested that the structure of intellect model could serve as a frame of reference for future research in this area. (Author/RL)

Comparison of field-dependent/independent cognitive style of 150 second and third graders (either selected for gifted services, nominated but not selected, or not nominated) found that a field-independent (analytical) cognitive style enhanced the prospect of being selected for gifted services. (Author/DB)

The education of children who are gifted is examined with respect to their unique traits as a group, their learning styles, and the best methods for instruction. The focus is elementary level academic instruction and strategies that can be used by regular classroom teachers to challenge students who are gifted. Consideration is given to:…

This article explores what the concept of intellectual character offers that traditional views of intelligence based on abilities do not. The origins of the concept of thinking dispositions are traced and various views regarding the dispositions that might comprise and define one's intellectual character are investigated. Educational implications…

Individual difference variables that are potentially related to cognitive mapping skills were examined, and good and poor cognitive mappers were compared in terms of those variables. Good and poor cognitive mappers were identified on the basis of the accuracy of their spatial knowledge about their own community. Four categories of individual…

This issue of the Illinois Association for Gifted Children (IAGC) Journal focuses on curriculum. Featured articles include: (1) "Curriculum: What Is It? How Do You Know if It Is Quality?" (Sally Walker); (2) "Tiered Lessons: What Are Their Benefits and Applications?" (Carol Ann Tomlinson); (3) "Do Gifted and Talented Youth Get Counseling, Models,…

A study explored emerging, persistent cognitive style in four gifted preschoolers to investigate how gifted potential may be transformed or obscured as abilities are applied to tasks. Remarkable style consistencies among the screening analysis, summer program behaviors, and later reports of cognitive ability and styles in kindergarten and first…

Cognitive controls were isolated through factor analysis with 59 intermediate-grade gifted students, and three cognitive styles were defined by cluster analysis. The cognitive style labeled "strict percept-strict concept" was associated with greater facility in divergent thinking. Study findings support explanations of giftedness through…

This article argues that decisions regarding identification, instruction, and programming for gifted students need to take into account not only their abilities but their styles of thinking. The article discusses the theory of mental self-government; data gathered from testing the theory; and relevance of thinking styles to decisions regarding…