RESEARCH REPORT SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF EDUCATION, UNIVERSITY
OF THE WITWATERSRAND, IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS
FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY
DATE: MARCH, 1994 / Numerous research reports cover the need for educational programmes that address the
social, intellectual, emotional and creative aspects of the development of gifted
disadvantaged children (Rosenbaum, 1989), This study focuses on assessing. the
effectiveness of an enrichment programme designed to enhance the self-concept of both
identified 'talented' students and their 'average' peers. The term 'talented' was chosen in an
attempt to move away from 'gifted' with its limited definition and biased connotations. Both
the talented and average groups of children were participated in an enrichment programme
which challenged their performance, attitudes and interpersonal skills. Various aspects of the
programme were evaluated: the extent to which such a programme can achieve its
objectives; identifying the programme's strengths and weaknesses and; developing a realistic,
alternative course of action fOr curriculum modification. Support was found for the belief
that the self-concept of all children can be enhanced from an enrichment programme.
Although the identified children initially functioned at higher levels on all the scales the
individual results differed, On the Renzulli Rating Scale all children were seen to benefit,
with greater improvements in the 'average' group, equalizing the two groups.Polt-test
results of the Renzulli Rating Scale - measuring task commitment, creativity and motivation
- and the Torrance measure of creativity indicated that both groups benefited significantly
from the enrichment programme. On the scale of self-awareness the iden1tified group showed
greater benefits.
It was concluded that a multi-dimensional approach to assessing and understanding
children's abilities is useful and recommended. In addition, talent must be understood as a
dynamic concept that exists in varying degrees in different individuals and one that is capable
of change at any stage of development. Evaluation of this programme can provide educators
with an incentive and opportunity for planning developing and improving educational
programmes that have a broader range of emphasis than the current school curriculum. The
relevance of this study for educators and possible directions for future research are
discussed.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:wits/oai:wiredspace.wits.ac.za:10539/20939 |
| Date | 26 August 2016 |
| Creators | Brenner, Raine Cohen |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | application/pdf |
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