Searching through literature, we can find several different definitions of the term giftedness. One of the aspects that influenced the selection if this topic is also the field of mathematical giftedness.
The purpose of this thesis is a qualitative research of working with gifted pupils in the subject of mathematics in various European countries. I have researched the techniques used in working with gifted children by selected teachers from various European countries, as well as the types of activities they prepare for them to use in class.
Using a questionnaire, filled in by five mathematics teachers from four different European countries, I wished to explore their experiences with working with gifted children. I was also interested in their thoughts on the way their school system deals with working with gifted children. I have discovered that most teachers do not feel they are qualified enough to be working with gifted children, which poses the question on how to train teachers to better cope with the challenge at hand. Teachers believe the two most important factors, which influence the quality of working with gifted children, are teachers themselves and the school system. According to the teachers, who filled in the questionnaire, it turns out that several countries do not take appropriate measures in successfully dealing with gifted children. All of the selected teachers have positive experiences with working with gifted children.
|
