Focus: Supporting Giftedness

Introduction and Presentation of a Seminar on the Theoretical and Practical Training of Student Teachers in Mathematics

Abstract

Supporting potentially gifted learners is a central task in the education system and therefore also poses a particular challenge for teacher training. But how can their knowledge and skills in gifted education be specifically expanded? This article presents an in-depth mathematics didactics seminar that creates a close link between scientific foundation and practical application through a two-week alternation of theoretical and practical sessions. The students broadened their professional and didactic perspectives by independently leading research sessions as part of the “Junge Mathe-Adler Frankfurt” and by intensively examining various models of giftedness and approaches to support. A survey of the students’ beliefs and opinions regarding giftedness before and after the event shows the development of their understanding of the topic, especially mathematical giftedness and its diagnostics. The seminar thus illustrates how university teaching can contribute to the qualification of prospective teachers for gifted education.