Preservice Teacher Perceptions of Creative, Underachieving Students

• In Event: AERA Poster Session 12
  In Poster Session: Gifted Education Poster Session 2

Abstract

Preservice teachers who do not have many opportunities to learn about gifted students in their teacher education program may carry misconceptions about creativity, giftedness, and achievement into their careers. They may not understand that not all students with talents show motivation in the classroom and may be underachievers. In this exploratory study, we investigate preservice teachers’ understandings of creativity and underachievement, as well as strategies to enhance creativity and motivation in the classroom. We applied content analysis to find common themes in preservice teacher responses and track how specialized lessons affected their understandings over the 16-week course. Study results could help education professors dispel the misconceptions preservice teachers have about creative and underachieving gifted students.

Authors

• Corinne Green, Purdue University

• Fabio Andres Parra Martinez, Purdue University

• Sareh Karami, Mississippi State University

• John M. Froiland, Purdue University