The Center for Talent Development's Gifted Learning Links Program
CTD's Gifted Learning Links Program
Apply for CTD's Gifted Learning Links Program
What to Expect

 



Exceptional Teaching
While many online courses feature stock course material, GLL courses are taught by real people who are experts in their fields and in teaching gifted students. Not only do they lead class discussions and activities, GLL instructors communicate with students one-to-one, providing detailed feedback on assignments, answering questions and inspiring students to learn and achieve more each day “Excellent teacher. Best teacher on the face of the earth. Patience. Kindness. Dedication. Passion.” These are the labels and characteristics used by recent Gifted LearningLinks (GLL) participants to describe their instructors. While many online courses feature stock course material, GLL courses are taught by real people who are experts in their fields and in teaching gifted students. Not only do instructors lead class discussions and activities, GLL instructors communicate with students one-to-one, providing detailed feedback on assignments, answering questions and inspiring students to learn and achieve.

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 Engaging Online Learning
Whatever the activity, the students’ expressions would be similar – intrigued, focused and thoroughly engaged in learning. Take snapshots of students around the world engaged in Gifted LearningLinks courses, and you might witness students in grades 3 through 8 speaking Chinese via webcam, debating the demise of dinosaurs on a discussion board and creating computer games, robots and movies. Or perhaps you would see students in grades 6 through 12 conducting science experiments, crafting prose for an online “collaboratory,” taking a virtual field trip or solving complex mathematical equations. Whatever the activity, the students’ expressions would be similar – intrigued, focused and thoroughly engaged in learning.

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Vibrant Community
As a Gifted LearningLinks participant, you join a vibrant community comprised of exceptional instructors and bright students from across the country and around the world As a Gifted LearningLinks participant, you join a vibrant community comprised of exceptional instructors and bright students from across the country and around the world. GLL students are smart, ambitious and eager to learn – just like you – and they form a powerful network of support and encouragement throughout your course experience. As you get to know one another, you share knowledge along with perspectives. Perhaps your perspective has been formed while living in the same small town all your life, or perhaps you’ve moved 16 times across three continents. Together with your GLL classmates, you will discuss, debate, hypothesize, formulate, calculate, create…and learn.

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Advanced Technology and Support
Gifted LearningLinks employs Blackboard, Northwestern University’s online course management system, to deliver courses. Blackboard is available 24/7, allowing you to complete courses from wherever you are, whenever you want, at a pace convenient to you Gifted LearningLinks employs Blackboard, Northwestern University’s online course management system, to deliver courses. Blackboard is available 24/7, allowing you to complete courses from wherever you are, whenever you want, at a pace convenient to you. Since GLL caters to all gifted students, not just technically savvy gifted students, we combine the latest in technology with a wealth of support, from an online tutorial and one-week orientation to answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) and a Tech Support Request Form for issues not covered in the FAQs. You can always contact us for assistance as well. Our goal is to help you feel at ease with the technology so that you can focus your time and energy on learning course subject matter.

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Evaluation & Academic Credit
All Gifted LearningLinks students receive valuable feedback on their course performance. Students enrolled in enrichment courses receive a final narrative evaluation after the course is complete All Gifted LearningLinks students receive valuable feedback on their course performance. Students enrolled in enrichment courses receive a final narrative evaluation after the course is complete. Students enrolled in honors and AP® courses receive a grade and written evaluation at the conclusion of the first and second semester. Upon completion of the course, students receive an official Center for Talent Development (CTD) transcript with their course grade(s) and the amount of academic credit earned. If requested, an evaluation and transcript can also be sent to a designated high school.


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