CONFERENCE ABSTRACTS

Presenter : Angela Blachnitzky

ICT - How can the design of online applications help to serve the needs of gifted children?

A recurrent theme in literature about nurturing gifted children is the challenge of meeting gifted children´s needs. Online applications such as www.mathletics.co.nz for example may have the potential to serve the educational needs of gifted children in more effective ways than traditional media. In addition to that, social networking sites can provide opportunities to meet intellectual peers, share information and play challenging games together.

In general, the quality of online content has improved a lot over the past ten years. Many applications come with an appealing design, so that children are very likely to enjoy their online time. But do we want our children in front of the computer at all times? Can an online social network be a successful space, in which gifted children interact with other like-minded children and engage in activities, which are suitable for their advanced interests?

This paper is looking, how today’s gifted children use the Internet, in order to discuss pros and cons from a design point of view and to help in choosing suitable applications. One main aim is to share findings about how design methodologies can enrich gifted children´s learning, playing and social activities.