Professional Development
Gifted Education Institutes
Experience on-campus institutes that will help you grow as a professional and learn to address contemporary issues in gifted education. View upcoming institutes.
Professional Development Courses
Whether you are looking to add to your teaching toolkit or working on an endorsement and/or master's degree, Whitworth offers courses for professional development to help you meet your goals. These courses can be taken by current students or community members.
Cost: $665 per credit for the 2023-24 academic year, unless otherwise noted.
Location: Online, unless otherwise noted.
For more information, please contact the Whitworth Center for Gifted Education at 509.777.3383 or gifted@whitworth.edu.
Summer 2023
EDG 508: Differentiating Instruction & Assessment
Approaches to design differentiated curriculum and instructional strategies in all content areas to meet the needs of gifted students in today's classrooms. Differentiation by content, process, product and assessment using current research-based practices. This course also covers the how assessment can inform instruction and serve as a measure of growth. (2 credits)
Course Dates: May 22 - July 7
EDG 555: Designing High Quality Gifted Education Programs & Services
This course is designed to engage students in an exploration of the populations that have been under-represented in gifted and highly capable programs. Students will address the identification and programming needs of learners with high potential from diverse and under-represented populations. (3 credits)
Course Dates: May 22 - July 28
EDG 531: Summer Institute
A three-day workshop between held in person on Whitworth’s campus. The theme of the institute will focus on adapting instruction. Following the Institute, students will develop a project in conjunction with the professor. (1 credit)
Offered at a reduced tuition rate in addition to institute registration fee
Course Dates: June 30 - Aug. 5
Fall 2023
EDG 551: Social & Emotional Needs of Gifted Learners
This course will explore current research and material relevant to the social and emotional issues that may arise for gifted and talented students, specifically their effective growth and potential adjustment concerns. This course is designed for teachers and counselors of the gifted to help them understand the cognitive complexity and emotional intensity of high ability students while also acquiring strategies to help them serve this special population. (2 credits)
Course Dates: Sept. 6 - Dec. 15
EDG 531: Fall Institute
A one-day Saturday professional development workshop on curricula. The focus will be on increasing opportunities and access to advanced learning opportunities for all students. Following the Institute, students will develop a project in conjunction with the professor. (1 credit)
Offered at a reduced tuition rate in addition to institute registration fee
Course Dates: TBD
Spring 2024
EDG 550: Introduction to Gifted Education
This course is designed to explore the current research, trends and practices within the field of gifted and talented education. This course is an introduction to the historical and philosophical context of gifted education and theories of intelligence; characteristics of gifted behaviors across cultures; an overview of curricular options for enhancing and accelerating instruction; development, traits, and processes; underachievement, cultural diversity and economic disadvantage; advocacy; program evaluation; and identification techniques. (3 credits)
Course Dates: Feb. 1 - May 17
EDG 531: Spring Institute
A series of online webinars and workshops. The theme of the webinars will focus on topics surrounding equity and access to advanced learning opportunities for all students. Following the Institute, students will develop a project in conjunction with the professor. (1 credit)
Offered at a reduced tuition rate in addition to institute registration fee
Course Dates: TBD
EDG 554: Instructional Models & Frameworks for High Ability Learners
The focus of this course is on the application of instructional models and strategies for designing appropriate learning experiences for the gifted and talented. Additionally, the course will explore how the characteristics of gifted students, identification of student profiles, and unique educational challenges must be considered when designing instructional learning experiences for these students. This course is designed for teachers, coordinators, administrators, and others responsible for the education of highly capable students. (3 credits)
Course Dates: Feb. 1 - May 17