Originally published 15 November 2002

The National Academy for Gifted and Talented Youth at the University of Warwick is today launching its first pilot online learning resource for its members to evaluate. This pilot is the first of many such projects, enabling gifted students to be involved in determining educational provision for the future.

In this trial 20 Academy students with a range of ages, abilities and subject strengths have been selected to receive a specially tailored CD-ROM of e-lectures with multimedia support. The lectures are delivered by leading experts such as Richard Dawkins and Sir Martin Rees.

The CD contains ten forty five minute video lectures from which students will be asked to work through three, two prescribed and one chosen, over three months. Students will submit their feedback through questionnaires and through a private online forum, before, during and after the trial. Students will also have access to professional support and assistance via the online forums, throughout the trial. The results will be used to assist in determining future developments in the Academy’s online provision.

‘It is important to us at the Academy that we understand the views and experiences of our students,’ said Professor Deborah Eyre, Director of the National Academy for Gifted and Talented Youth. ‘We are looking for feedback from our students on these approaches to online learning and seeking their advice on how best to cater for their needs. We will look seriously at their feedback and use it in our continuing efforts to improve provision for gifted and talented students. They really are playing a vital role in shaping educational provision for the future.’

The pilot is part of a one-year programme of e-learning trials run in association with online specialists, Boxmind.

‘Boxmind are pleased to have been chosen to be part of the Academy’s online pilot and evaluation,’ said Richard Halkett of Boxmind. ‘We are committed to encouraging academic excellence online and this is an exciting opportunity.’

Further trials with Boxmind and other e-learning specialists are currently in the developmental stages and further e-learning trials will be announced in the coming weeks.

For further press information and images please contact:
Fiona Champness,
NAGTY Press Officer
Tel: 024 7657 4308 / 07876 217745
Gifted.press@warwick.ac.uk