Interest and Challenge as Key Impact Factors for Gifted Enrichment Programs

• In Event: Thursday Roundtable Session 4:20 pm
  In Roundtable Session: Research on Giftedness, Creativity, and Talent SIG Roundtable: Psychosocial Factors and Engagement (Table 18)

Abstract

Gentry et al first published the “My Class Activities” (MCA) survey instrument in 2000 as a multi-dimensional attitudinal measure of how specific characteristics of classroom learning environments motivate and engage students and lead to greater learning. Utilization of the MCA in a 2023 university-based summer enrichment program, as part of an overall program evaluation battery also including a general academic self-concept (GASC) measure and a program impact evaluation not only replicates previous research (Pereira et al, 2010) shifting the MCA out of classrooms and into enrichment programming, but also indicates that the key factors for gifted enrichment program impact are two of the MCA’s four original dimensions: interest and challenge.

Authors

• Tim Spitsberg, Baylor University

• Beatrice Ruiz, Baylor University

• Todd Kettler, Baylor University

• Cheryl Taliaferro, Baylor University