Program Description

What is Gifted LearningLinks?

The Center for Talent Development's (CTD) Gifted LearningLinks Distance Learning Programs offer academically talented students the opportunity to take enrichment, high school honors, and Advanced Placement (AP) courses in an interactive online setting. These programs are designed for independent students who wish to move quickly to advanced levels of coursework, whose local school offerings are limited, who have scheduling difficulties, or who are home-schooled. There are several online options available:

• Gifted LearningLinks Honors/AP Level (Grades 6 - 12)
  Online High School Honors and AP Courses
• Gifted LearningLinks Enrichment (Grades 3 - 8)
  Online Enrichment Courses in Math, Science, & Humanities
• Gifted LearningLinks Accelerated Summer Option (Grades 6 - 12)
  Six-week Online High School Honors Courses
• Gifted LearningLinks for Schools (Grades 3 - 12)
  
• Education Program for Gifted Youth (Grades K - 12)
  Math and Writing Courses for Enrichment developed by Stanford University

Accredited Learning

The Center is accredited as a Special Function School by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Accreditation means that the Center can grant credit for high school level courses successfully completed by students in its programs. With this accreditation, students can use CTD to add vigorous courses to compensate for schedule conflicts or lack of course offerings at their home schools.

Course Credit and Evaluation

Gifted LearningLinks courses carry either one or two semesters of high school credit. The amount of credit is listed with each course description. After the end of each session, students receive a written evaluation detailing their performance in the course as well as a transcript reflecting the course grade(s). Upon request, CTD will also send the evaluation and official transcript showing the course grade and the amount of credit earned to a designated high school.

Students who wish to receive credit for a course or to have it considered in their schedule for the next school year should talk to their local academic counselor or administrator before beginning the course.

Computer Requirements

All courses use the Blackboard Course Management System. For best performance, a Macintosh or Windows operating system is recommend­ed. Students must have frequent access to the Internet preferably via a broadband connection using any one of the following browsers: Internet Explorer (v. 6 or better), Safari, or Firefox.

The browser must be Java- and cookie-enabled. CTD recommends students have access to a computer headset with a microphone and a webcam for some courses. Instructors will notify students as needed.

Note: For additional specific course requirements, please refer to the individual course descriptions found in the brochure, and/or on the CTD Web site, www.ctd.northwestern.edu.

What Happens Next

After admittance to Gifted LearningLinks, all students receive an acceptance email detailing program policies, ordering information for materials and resources, as well as their Northwestern University NetID and temporary password which they will need to access their course site(s).

Note: Students must make sure that their e–mail filters do not block Gifted LearningLinks e–mails.

Upon receipt of their NetID and password, students are instructed to log in to “Welcome to Gifted LearningLinks” on Blackboard for a required tutorial on how to navigate the course site. Basic Gifted LearningLinks information is also included on the site.

Instructors will initiate contact with students within the first week of class, establishing a communication framework for the exchange of assignments, projects, tests and other materials.