Systemic Gifted Education: A Theoretical Introduction

Abstract

Over the past few decades, systemic thinking has gained in popularity in developmental and learning sciences. The trend has, however, shown up in gifted education research only occasionally. The aim of this article is to introduce systemic thinking to the field of giftedness and explore possibilities for its application. In the first part, a definition of a system is provided and basic concepts of systemic thinking are introduced. In the second part, a full-fledged systemic model is introduced, the actiotope model of giftedness. In the third part, implications for gifted education are elaborated. In the discussion, the authors explain (a) how systemic thinking can make a valuable contribution to gifted education, (b) why systemic thinking will complement rather than replace current approaches to gifted education, and (c) the necessity of combining systemic thinking with other empirically testable theories.

Learning resources and talent development from a systemic point of view

“…For example, from a risk perspective, multiple successful compensatory processes between learning resources can ensure that a momentarily scarce resource cannot endanger the entire learning process. For example, economic educational capital can be used to get access to the needed infrastructural educational capital, such as learning software or books . Similarly, with every learning step, ELC have to be coadapted .…”

“…For example, economic educational capital can be used to get access to the needed infrastructural educational capital, such as learning software or books. 8 Similarly, with every learning step, ELC have to be coadapted. 6 For example, when an individual has mastered a new skill, the old telic capital needs to be updated accordingly.…”

“…Ziegler and Stoeger suggested the following definition of a system: “a system consists of interacting elements or components that make use of resources to maintain a certain level of internal stability and function as a whole in order to produce certain behaviors.” However, the interactions between individuals and their environments are manifold. Humans inhale and exhale air, ingest food, process energy, and excrete byproducts; they collect information and react to it, thereby altering their environments, etc.…”

“…Fourth, we also expanded upon earlier research by situating study 2 within the overarching theory of the AMG. According to the AMG, the system uses resources in order to fulfill various functions . In the AMG, the resources are the 10 aforementioned forms of ELC.…”

“…The actiotope denotes the system of an individual and the material, social, and informational environments with which the individual interacts. 7 Ziegler and Stoeger 8 suggested the following definition of a system: "a system consists of interacting elements or components that make use of resources to maintain a certain level of internal stability and function as a whole in order to produce certain behaviors." However, the interactions between individuals and their environments are manifold.…”