Designing, implementation and evaluation of support training activities in the field of computer for the needs of gifted students

The purpose of this study is to identify the needs of gifted students in the field of computer and to prepare an instructional design in order to meet these needs. During the process of this research, to update the data in accordance with the instructional design and by making in-depth observations, inferences are made about how there should be a computer education for gifted students. Method of this qualitative research is determined as a case study in order to obtain in-depth information. The research group consists of five gifted students who continue their education at Science and Art Center in Trabzon. In data collection process, observations and interviews were conducted. Furthermore, forms prepared by expert's opinion are used in this process. Preliminary meeting was held in order to determine needs of the students in the field of computer. Based on the identified needs, an instructional design was prepared according to ADDIE instructional design model. During the application period of 10 weeks, instructors, experts in the field of computer education gave the students a total of 20 hours of lessons. According to the data obtained in this study, a dynamic process which the instructional design was updated was followed. As a result of this research, it was reached that the computer education that the students received in this study, did not meet the needs and expectations of the gifted students. Moreover, it was determined that support training activities prepared in line with the expectations of gifted students, are sufficient to meet their needs in the field of computer. The experiences for the support training activities offered to the gifted students were presented with the opinion of students and instructors. In this respect, it is thought that the resulting experiences will guide future researchers, teachers and instructional designers.