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Technology Skills among Gifted Students

Abstract As we venture into the 21st century, adequate technology skills are a requirement. Technology affects not only the way we research information and communicate with others but also the way we do our jobs. Giving our gifted students every opportunity to be technology literate and to acquire technology skills is a must. The legislators and state education heads of both Virginia and West Virginia asked the Milken Exchange (Education Week, 1998) to perform a complete review of computer use in their schools. Although the reports were generally positive, they indicated that “disparities in student access to technology” were evident. The studies validated the continuing need to update technology and provide technology-based instruction as well as the need to provide equal access to inner-city and rural schools. The current study sought to determine if technology is equally accessible to gifted high school students in the various geographic settings: rural, inner-city, and suburban. Overall, results indicated that rural gifted students were at a disadvantage when compared to their inner-city and suburban counterparts. Economic factors are proposed as a primary reason for different technology opportunities. In resolving the differences, more teacher awareness and preparation is needed, as are educational partnerships between industries and schools.