Easing the Transition: Helping Profoundly Gifted Students Make the Leap into Online Learning

Balanced research and practice

The transition from brick-and-mortar environments into online learning can be difficult for students. Not only do they have to contend with new technology, but the distance between users can be challenging. Online learning is a topic of interest in gifted education, as virtual learning platforms can provide students with appropriate levels of rigor and pacing. While gifted students benefit from the flexibility of online learning, they must still contend with the challenges of transitioning into virtual environments. These challenges can be compounded when students are also transitioning into gifted education. This study aims at understanding the transition period for gifted students entering a fully virtual learning environment specifically designed for their intellectual, social, and emotional needs. The research was conducted as a phenomenological multiple case study, with the goal of understanding how stakeholders can help students navigate the double transition of moving into both online and gifted education.