Beyond the borders: Manifestations of a gifted and talented learner

Abstract

Gifted and talented learners worldwide often encounter considerable challenges in the classroom, mainly due to insufficient differentiation in teaching methods. This study aimed to identify a gifted and talented learner’s unique abilities and challenges in an inclusive classroom through a single case study design. It proposed an action plan for their academic growth. The research participant was diagnosed with an IQ of 140 and demonstrated the unique abilities of a gifted and talented learner. Colaizzi's Thematic Analysis was used for data gathering. The findings revealed four key themes of giftedness: advanced cognitive abilities, rapid task completion and high accuracy, innovative problem-solving approaches in Mathematics, and independent learning and critical thinking. The results emphasized the importance of differentiated instruction, specialized resources, modern teaching methods, and advanced academic opportunities to support gifted learner’ unique cognitive and emotional needs. Furthermore, it underscores the need to address language barriers, foster social skills, and involve parents in the educational journey to create a supportive and engaging learning environment. Therefore, schools should adopt flexible curricula, invest in specialized materials and teachers’ training, integrate technology and discovery-based learning, implement special programs and acceleration, and maintain open communication with parents.