Students' Attitudes Toward Education of Gifted Children and Competencies as Future Teachers

Abstract

An important prerequisite for organizing a quality educational system for gifted children is well-trained teachers. In this chapter, the development of teacher competencies in gifted, through preservice teacher education coursework at the undergraduate level, is explored. Attitudes toward gifted children and their education are examined from the perspective of students enrolled at the Faculty of Teacher Education in Rijeka, Croatia. Pre-service teacher education students in both the early and preschool education program and the primary school education program were included in the research. Attitudes toward the course “Education of Gifted Children” were examined. Finally, attitudes about gifted children and their education by preservice teachers who had taken the “Education of Gifted Children” course were compared to the attitudes of those preservice teachers who had not taken the course. Results are discussed within the frame of the teachers' required competencies, attitudes, and study program modifications.