A Look Inside CTD’s Gifted LearningLinks

1. A Look Inside CTD’sGifted LearningLinks Randee Blair Roxanne Greenberger Elfi Sanderson Cindy Cho

2. Gifted LearningLinks offers… • Online enrichment, honors, and AP courses • A flexible, interactive learning environment • Courses developed and taught by “live” teachers with content area expertise and experience teaching gifted students

3. Why students choose GLL… • Enriching and engaging coursework • Opportunity to move quickly to more advanced coursework • Limited local school offerings • Scheduling difficulties

4. About Gifted LearningLinks • Grew out of concern for gifted children without access to rigorous courses • Began with Latin course in 1981-82 • Gradual transition from correspondence to online; now fully online • Last year: Over 150 course offerings; more than 1500 students enrolled in grades 3-12 • Courses developed and taught by CTD’s highly qualified teachers • Accredited by NCA CASI: as Non-Public Supplementary School

5. New! Web Investigation & Evaluation Modules • Honors/AP® students, CTD instructors and teacher liaisons (if they like) participate in online modules building 21st century web fluency skills • Modules feature: • Pre- and post-tests • A series of online activities including units in: • Author and publisher identification • Dated material and accuracy of evidence • Links • Bias-objectivity and plagiarism

6. New! Family Program Grades K-2 • Enriching & engaging activities for families to learn together • Classes begin four times a year • Fall – Secrets from the Kitchen • Winter – Away We Go • Spring - Sports: It’s a Numbers Game • Summer – Backyard Explorers • Guided by a “live” instructor • Online real-time discussions

7. Enrichment Courses Grades 3-8Flexible Cohort Model • English & Writing, Mathematics, World Languages (Latin & Urdu), Science, Humanities & Social Studies • 9 weeks in duration; 2-5 hours of study time per week • Four terms beginning: September 15; January 15; April 1; June 15 (Back by Popular Demand) • Final evaluation upon successful completion

8. Unique Opportunities Extracurricular Clubs • Offered to current CTD students • Grades 3-8 • Student led and created; CTD teacher-facilitated • 9 weeks in duration

9. Unique Opportunities Independent Study • Grades 3-12 • Follow a passion • Work with mentor • Nine weeks • Non-credit

10. Honors ElectivesGrades 6-12Facilitated Independent Study • Elective in nature; unique and challenging • Bridge between enrichment and longer nine month courses • Topics in mathematics, English & writing, social science, science and humanities • 18 weeks; 4-6 hours per week of study time • One semester high school credit (80-100 course hours) • Final evaluation and transcript • Monthly enrollments beginning the 15th of each month • Registration deadline the 1st of each month

11. Honors (Grades 6-12)AP® Courses (Grades 9-12)Facilitated Independent Study Model • Core curriculum • Advanced Placement® authorized by College Board (grades 9-12) • Up to nine months to complete - may accelerate • 4-6 hours per week of study time • Semester I and II grades • Final evaluation and transcript upon successful completion • 2 semester hours credit (160-200 course hours) • Monthly enrollments beginning the 15th of each month • Registration deadline the 1st of each month

12. Northwestern University Credit Course New • Climate Catastrophes in Earth History: Earth 105 • Fall Quarter only • September 21 • Taught by Northwestern University faculty • Facilitated independent study • Students in grades 10 – 12 • Northwestern University Credit

13. Accelerated Summer Option • Honors & some AP® • 24 offerings in 2010 • 2011 offerings available on the web in March • 9 weeks in duration • Starts June 15, ends August 17 • 4-6 hours per day of study time • Final evaluation and transcript • 1-2 semester hours credit • Extension to 9 months for $75.00

14. Education Program for Gifted Youth (EPGY) • Computer based curriculum for grades K-12+ • Language arts and mathematics • Delivered by Stanford University • Self-paced • 3 months in duration (K-12) • 15 weeks for University Level courses with up to 6 months to complete - Stanford credits issued • 2-8 hours per week of study time

15. Faculty • Selected from premier schools based on mastery of subject matter, experience teaching gifted students, and enthusiasm • Play active role in course development, provide instruction with timely and individualized feedback, and evaluate each student’s progress/performance--just as they would if the students were sitting in their school classrooms • Participate in ongoing professional development opportunities provided via online “Teachers’ Lounge” site, and webinars

16. Benefits to Schools • Provides equal access to high level/quality rigorous courses • Allows for course variety • Alleviates scheduling conflicts • Overcomes challenge of students who have completed available curriculum • Alleviates teacher shortage

17. School Groups - Tuition • Special tuition rate, discounted 10% starting with an initial enrollment of 5 or more students • $767 for Honors/AP® • $524 for Honors Electives • $425 for Enrichment • Payment by credit card, check or purchase order

18. How It Works • Upon acceptance students are issued a NetID and activation code which allows them to log in to the Course Management System (Blackboard)

19. Blackboard Screen

20. How It Works . . .

21. How It Works • Course syllabi and assignments, discussion boards, notes and links to audio and video files are available within each course site. • Students communicate electronically with their instructor and with other students via the course site, e-mail, blogs, and/or virtual class meetings. • Course sites are available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Students can work from home or school at a time that is convenient for them.

22. For a look inside some of our courses, view the video posted on our website.

23. What people are saying about Gifted LearningLinks… "I absolutely loved my GLL class (Honors Logic)! I was able to learn so much more about the subject and applying it to real life. Based on my experience with the logic course, I would definitely take another class through the GLL program.” "Maybe I should tell someone besides just friends. Cody's experience with Dr. Heller has by far been his best experience ever in writing and receiving critiques on his work. I am so glad that Cody has had the opportunity to experience this class before going to college….”

24. What people are saying about Gifted LearningLinks… "I loved learning about the subject I chose at my own rate. Instead of having to wait for others, as often happens in a classroom setting, I could pace myself and just enjoy the lessons.” "Diana wanted me to email you and let you know that she got a 5 on her AP Psychology exam. She is thrilled! She enjoyed the AP Psychology course and plans on taking another CTD AP course this school year.”

25. What people are saying about Gifted LearningLinks… "This was a wonderful course. What I, As a parent, was most pleased with was the way the instructor provided detailed feedback and commentary on The assignments. These comments Were always thought-provoking, and Always encouraging and ‘building’ for Subsequent activities. I felt that he had a good handle on what drives her as a student...more so than some of the instructors she sees face-to-face on a daily basis."